In a 6-1 vote on June 3, Palm Beach County commissioners ended all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. This decision came after the Trump administration warned it would cut federal funding to local governments that did not comply with its stance on DEI initiatives.
The suspension affects programs that make distinctions based on sex or race, including the county’s minority business and women’s minority business programs. Additionally, gender identity protections have been removed.
Despite the elimination of DEI programs, the county’s Small Business Enterprise designation remains active. This program, administered by the Office of Equal Business Opportunity (OEBO), continues to support local small businesses in accessing county procurement opportunities.
Allen Gray, office manager of Palm Beach County’s OEBO says, “We’re transitioning over to a more focused small business program that is not race and gender specific.” When asked about the status of the OEBO office as a viable entity, Gray says “The office is still intact.”
As of June 6, verbiage outlining certification eligibility on the county’s OEBO website still reads:
“Your Minority and/or Women owned business must be at least 51% owned, managed, and controlled by one or more minority group and/or woman that is ready, willing and able to provide the goods or services in which the business is seeking certification.”
Trinnette Morris, owner of Trindy Gourmet in West Palm Beach says, “It’s new and remains to be seen how it will be implemented for existing contracts.” Morris also serves as a liaison for the small business pipeline to procure vendors for the Palm Beach County Convention Center and Palm Beach International Airport. Her advice for all small business owners during these uncertain times is “never have all your eggs in one basket.”
The commissions decision follows the Palm Beach County School Board’s vote in April that also ended its DEI efforts.
