City of Houston
Disparity Study
City of Houston Disparity Study
The City of Houston is encouraging business owners and stakeholders to review the draft 2023 Disparity Study Report and draft Executive Summary. There will be a presentation of the findings and recommendations via Zoom. All are welcome attend.
Comments and/or questions regarding the Report’s findings and recommendations will be accepted until August 30, 2024. Submit your comments here.
WELCOME
The City of Houston (City) is conducting a comprehensive Disparity Study (Study), led by MGT Consulting Group (MGT). The overall purpose of the Disparity Study is to understand the effects of race, ethnicity, and gender on businesses’ ability to do business in the city’s marketplace – both public and private sectors, acquire capital, and win contracts or subcontracts in the markets in which the City of Houston does business.
As part of that process, the City will collect data regarding the availability of firms owned by minorities, women, small, physically disabled, and disadvantaged persons, and the utilization of these firms as contractors and subcontractors in the City’s marketplace. In addition to analyses of quantitative data, the Disparity Study will also examine qualitative data regarding discriminatory barriers or behaviors (to the extent that it exists) provided by business owners, professional organizations, and other marketplace stakeholders.
We encourage ALL business owners to provide information about their experiences, particularly concerning discrimination while doing business or attempting to do business with the City and other public or private entities in the City’s market area. We hope that all firms, not just certified firms, will participate. For ways to get involved, please see the “Business Owner Engagement” page below.
Business Owner Engagement
Business Engagement Meetings, Focus Groups, One-on-One Discussions, & Surveys
Houston area businesses can participate in the disparity study in one of several ways:
- Virtual Business Engagement Meeting
- 1:1 Interview with BWA Diversity Consulting or Goodwille Pierre
- Business Survey
- Industry-specific Focus Group
- Direct Email
ASL and other language translations will be made available upon advance request.
Direct Email and Website Comment Form
Business owners may submit their comments, regarding their experiences doing business, or attempting to do business, in the City marketplace via:
- email at [email protected]
- submit comments using the Disparity Study Contact Form (See Contact Us page below)
Business Engagement Meeting: MGT Consulting Group will host two virtual business engagement meetings to introduce the study objectives and listen to businesses’ experiences of doing business or attempting to do business in the city marketplace. Businesses are encouraged to attend one of two meetings.
Industry-Specific Focus Groups: Businesses can choose to participate in one of the five industry-specific focus groups to provide their experiences. Focus groups are small group discussions with the same industry participants.
One-on-One Interview: Businesses have more latitude for additional information on their experiences. You can sign up for an interview at [email protected] or you may be contacted by BWA Diversity Consulting or Goodwille Pierre if your business is in the random selection. Don’t take that chance, sign up today.
Business Survey: Businesses can complete an online or over-the-phone survey as part of the Study. Further details will be provided at a later date.
Input submitted via email or the website is directed to the MGT team only. Responses are considered confidential except to the extent disclosure is required by law.
Contact Us
The City of Houston wants your feedback on the draft 2023 Disparity Study Report. The draft report can be found here. Use this form to submit your question and/or comments by August 30, 2024. The City and MGT will review your submissions. We invite you to public review of the study’s findings and recommendations via Zoom.