Berkeley Contracts Shut Out Minorities, Women: Study

BERKELEY, CA — A study commissioned by Berkeley’s City Council shows stark disparities in the municipality’s awarding of contracts.

The findings of the "Berkeley Inclusion in Opportunity Index" (BINDEX) Study to Achieve Equity in City Contracting were presented to the City Council Tuesday night by Mason Tillman Associates Ltd. and Dr. Eleanor Ramsey.

According to the study, which focuses on enterprises experiencing barriers to access in obtaining city contracts in construction, architecture, engineering, professional services, goods, and other services, non-minority businesses (male and female) received 75.06 percent of the $17,510,737 awarded to Berkeley contractors, with 58.9 percent going to non-minority males and 16.16 to Caucasian females.

Asian Pacific Islander males got 21.46 percent of the contract funds and females in that group received 1.53 percent.

African Americans, Native Americans and Asian-Indian business owners (male and female) got nothing.

Hispanic American females received 0.4 percent and males in that group got 0.05 percent.

Councilmember Ben Bartlett requested the study in 2017, and its findings were no surprise to him.

“We can assume other governments have the same disparities, but it’s on us to lead.” Bartlett said.

“We talk about justice for everything under the sun, but there’s a blind spot when it comes to Economic Justice. This report shines a light on the discrimination faced by women and people of color. It’s our job to make it right,” Bartlett said.

“We are in what economists call a K-shaped recovery where some folks are flying high, while the majority slide into poverty. People need to know that no matter who you are, you have a shot. You can achieve your dreams too.”