8BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL FRIDAY , MAY 5 , 2017
By : Robert W . Runcie
Robert W . Runcie Superintendent Broward County Public Schools
Broward County Public Schools ( BCPS ) is known for its diversity . Our district includes a student enrollment of more than 271,000 students represen�ng more than 200 countries and 180 languages . We also have a diverse workforce of over 30,000 dedicated employees collabora�ng to provide our children with a world class educa�on . We must now extend this culture of diversity to our purchasing and contrac�ng ac�vi�es .
BCPS is at a unique moment in history where we are leveraging the SMART capital bond ini�a�ve , for school facili�es renova�on and technology , to create new
BCPS Is Open for Business for the Broward Community
economic opportuni�es for small / minority / women-owned business en��es ( S / M / WBE ). In January 2017 , BCPS demonstrated its ongoing commitment to providing fair and equitable distribu�on of procurement and contrac�ng opportuni�es to Broward County ’ s diverse business community by adop�ng a new Supplier Diversity Outreach Program Policy 3330 . The new policy takes effect on July 1 , 2017 . Managed by the Office of Procurement & Warehousing Services , the Supplier Diversity Outreach Program is designed to :
• Build capacity in the local business community by providing increased opportuni�es for underu�lized business to do business with Broward County Public Schools ;
• Generate growth among local businesses by providing increased preferences to Small / Minority / Women Business Enterprises ( S / M / WBEs ); and
• Create jobs and career opportuni�es for local residents .
The adop�on of the new policy followed a Disparity Study commissioned by the Superintendent and completed in October 2015 , to assess the level of diversity in the District ’ s procurement and contrac�ng prac�ces , par�cularly among S / M / WBEs . The study iden�fied a number of barriers , including various forms of marketplace discrimina�on that weakened the par�cipa�on of minority and women-owned businesses . As a result of the Disparity Study , the District formed a Disparity Study Work Group , comprised of 30 local community stakeholders and District staff members , to review , priori�ze and provide feedback on the recommenda�ons included in the Disparity Study report , as well as provide feedback on proposed procedural and policy changes .
Key highlights of the new Policy 3330 include :
• Expanding the original Minority / Women Business Enterprise Program to now include local small businesses .
• Implemen�ng a Prime Contractor Program to increase opportuni�es for local businesses to contract directly with the District , as opposed to working in a subcontract capacity ;
• Requiring prime contractors u�lizing subcontractors to achieve specific levels of par�cipa�on from S / M / WBEs in the subcontract work .
• Providing companies with incen�ve points in the evalua�on process for S / M / WBE par�cipa�on .
I commend and thank all of those involved with developing the updated Supplier Diversity Outreach Program . The adop�on of the new policy represents our School Board and District ’ s focus on expanding procurement and contrac�ng opportuni�es with local businesses and promo�ng economic inclusion of all segments of our business popula�on , par�cularly small , minority and women-owned businesses . We are commi�ed to addressing the issues outlined in the Disparity Study , strengthening our efforts to support local businesses in a fair and equitable manner , and monitoring the success of these efforts as we move forward with this important work . The District con�nues to hold a series of community mee�ngs to inform and educate local businesses about the new Supplier Diversity Outreach Program Policy 3330 .
For more details , contact the District ’ s Supplier , Diversity Outreach Program at 754-321-0550 . Community members can also visit www . broward . k12 . fl . us / supply / sdop / events . html for dates and locations .
To learn more about doing business with BCPS , visit www . broward . k12 . fl . us / supply / sdop .
THE BAUGH REPORT
By : Dr . Germaine Smith-Baugh
Germaine-Smith-Baugh President and CEO Urban League of Broward County
The philosopher Voltaire once said : “ With great power comes great responsibility .”
The 18th-century Frenchman was referring to the abuse of authority and privilege by those in power who overlooked the poor and disadvantaged suffering around them .
That powerful statement s�ll holds true today in our fast-changing world where
Great Leaders Have Great Responsibility
equality , jus�ce and prosperity remain elusive for too many .
In upli�ing a community , it takes vision , integrity , and yes , responsibility .
Those with power have tremendous responsibility . Just look at the face of poverty in Broward County : There ’ s seniors living on fixed incomes ; single parents working two or more jobs ; and college graduates buried under school loans . Close to 15 percent of our county ’ s popula�on is living below the poverty line . That ’ s unacceptable . We can do be�er as a community .
To achieve social and economic fairness , we need leaders who can focus on the big picture , ask the tough ques�ons , and set the example for others to follow . Leaders who are commi�ed to a mission , have integrity and character , and maintain ethics . And leaders who can accept blame and pass along honor .
It ’ s not easy to do this . Fortunately , our community has many devoted leaders who have stepped up and accepted the responsibility of their posi�ons .
At the Urban League of Broward County , our board of directors , as well as our staff , are charged with empowering communi�es and changing lives . All of our directors and staff members know that they have to uphold not only an extraordinary mission but also an extraordinary responsibility . There ’ s a lot at stake in our work in breaking the cycle of poverty for African-Americans and other disenfranchised groups .
We need many more leaders willing to use their power to truly be�er our community .
Could you be that kind of leader ?
Great leaders don ’ t necessarily have to be elected officials or CEOs of large companies . Leadership isn ’ t about a fancy �tle , nor is it about bossing others around . Great leaders can be everyday ci�zens working hard to raise their families and be produc�ve ci�zens .
Parents , for one , are vital leaders to their children . Their examples profoundly affect the kind of people their children become . Talk about responsibility .
You can also be a valued leader in your community . Take on a pivotal role in your religious ins�tu�on , serve as a volunteer in a social outreach program , or act as a mentor to young people in a school or community center .
Where do you start ?
I say start by figuring out what you ’ re good at . Then , go a�er it by engaging , listening and showing up .
You ’ ll get power before long . Just remember to use it to create a be�er tomorrow for the people in your life and in your community .
Get started today .
The Baughtom Line is this : People with power have responsibility . They can ’ t be in their posi�ons just to have fancy �tles or boss others around . They have to serve as true leaders . To achieve equality , jus�ce and prosperity for all , leaders with power have to own up to their responsibility to be�er the world around them .