Tomás Ávila | Associate director, R.I. Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity
1. How does your experience in small-business advocacy and connections to the R.I. Hispanic community play into your new role with the ODEO? Advocating on behalf of small businesses for over 25 years has provided me ample opportunities to learn about what issues confront them and the necessary changes that could help them overcome these barriers. As a member of Rhode Island’s Hispanic community, I have personal experience advocating for inclusion and seeking equity. We have gained a strong foothold in Rhode Island, and based on the latest census data, Hispanics will likely comprise an even greater share of the population moving forward.
2. Does the fact that you are not only helping minority-owned businesses but are a minority business owner yourself give you an advantage? If so, in what ways? Yes, it does give me an advantage because I have lived the experience of a minority business owner. I have a deep understanding of the inequities we face, such as when our project proposals are not given their due consideration. Bringing my perspective to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity positions me well to not only help these companies, but also achieve the state’s goals.
3. What do you see as the main reasons why the state has failed to achieve its minority business contracting goals for a majority of the years since the law was passed? The main reason is that historically the state has not enforced penalties when prime contractors have not fulfilled their obligation that 10% of the total dollar amount of the contract be awarded to minority business enterprises. There are many prime contractors that work hard to abide by this requirement. When contractors do not, it is incumbent on the state to enforce the requirement through all possible means, including penalties.
4. How do you plan to help address this? In addition to enforcement, the office [ODEO] plans to partner with procurement administrators to ensure that the proper procedures are followed with every procurement. We also are discovering ways to promote the utilization of MBEs by municipalities and the private sector.
5. Beyond the MBE program, what more could, or should, the state do to help minority business owners succeed? The state can pursue the development of a Community Development Financial Institution to provide MBEs access to capital, so they have the capacity for growth. Additionally, it is critical to involve MBEs in emerging sectors, such as the blue economy and offshore wind.
Nancy Lavin is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Lavin@PBN.com.
