Members Sought for Newly Formed Cambridge Black, Indigenous, People of Color-Owned Business Advisory Committee


6/10/20212 years ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 2 years ago.

Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking volunteers to serve on a new Cambridge Black, Indigenous, People of Color-Owned (BIPOC) Business Advisory Committee. The goal of this group is to work with City staff to develop recommendations on how the City can better assist BIPOC-owned businesses.

The Committee will be a sounding board for ideas on strengthening the city’s outreach efforts, information-sharing, business programs and policies, and overall relationship with local BIPOC-owned businesses. The goal is for the Committee to include representatives from local businesses and institutions. It is anticipated that the Committee will meet approximately once a month for 8-12 months, though it may convene more often at critical junctures of the process and is likely to meet an estimated eight to ten times throughout the year.

Any Cambridge small business owner identifying as Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian, Asian Pacific Islander, Latinx, or other historically marginalized groups is welcome to apply. We also welcome applications from organizations serving Cambridge whose principal mission is to represent BIPOC businesses.

The committee will include approximately 10-14 members representing a range of business sectors (e.g. retail, restaurant, non-profit organizations, and personal and professional services) and the full diversity of the Cambridge BIPOC business community.

Additionally, it is a City of Cambridge goal to expand and deepen community engagement with a focus on strengthening the diversity and inclusion of its various boards and commissions, and to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.    

How to Apply

The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, July 9, 2021. Applications can be submitted to City Manager Louis A. DePasquale using the City’s online application system at cambridgema.gov/apply.  A cover letter and resume, or an overview of relevant experience, can also be submitted during the online application process.  Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. Please note that as of June 15, 2021, walk-in access to City Hall will again be available to the public on certain days. Learn more at www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/Departments. Alternatively, an appointment to pick up a paper application can be made by calling the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or emailing fgaines@Cambridgema.gov.    

For more information, contact Pardis Saffari at psaffari@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4654.