Office of Diversity and Inclusion seeks funding for disparity study, supplier-diversity pipeline and ERG expansion

Director Jason Jenkins presented the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s proposed 2025 operating budget of $2,460,249 to the Columbus City Council, emphasizing collaboration across departments and continued investment in supplier diversity, employee resource groups (ERGs) and an updated disparity study.

Jenkins said the largest share — nearly 75% — of the office’s budget is allocated to personnel and that the office plans to hire three additional full-time employees to support its work. “Aligned with the city's equity agenda, our 2025 budget prioritizes spending on what has the most significant impact such as our workforce and economic development and safe and healthy neighborhoods initiatives,” Jenkins said.

Why it matters: Council members highlighted the office’s role in expanding contracting opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses and noted a recent code change requiring regular updates to the disparity study. Council members framed the office’s work as targeted, evidence-based investments intended to broaden access to city contracts and create generational wealth.

Details and context -The office reported measurable 2024 gains: a 4.4% increase in spending with minority- and women-owned businesses from Q2 2023 to Q2 2024, a 69.2% increase in certified vendors year-over-year, and a 171.96% increase in participation goal dollars set for projects (from $61.1 million to $167.8 million in goal set dollars). -Jenkins requested $250,000 in new funding to complete the disparity study (expected to be completed by 2026) and $100,000 to support businesses moving through the pipeline to prime contractor status. The office noted it is restarting implementation of a vendor diversity tracking platform (beta G now implementation) to monitor contracting metrics. -The office described supplier-diversity outreach: convening a certification event with multiple partners, supporting business certifications through the NOW Foundation and contributing $50,000 to the Accelerate Columbus program.

Discussion highlights -Council members emphasized the disparity study’s role as an accountability tool and asked Jenkins to explain how the study informs programs like prime-mentoring and other pilot initiatives. Jenkins said the study guides program design and helps the city determine whether efforts are shifting contracting outcomes. -Council members noted the office’s collaborative approach across departments and stressed the importance of measuring outcomes and sustaining programs through cross-department cooperation.

Ending -The office framed its 2025 budget as a continued investment in contracting equity, workforce development and inclusive economic growth. Jenkins said the office will present the disparity study results to council for adoption when the study is complete and will return with implementation details for pipeline supports.