Intentional Purchasing
Support small businesses owned by people of color through purchasing of goods and services.
Businesses set their own goals for spending to local businesses owned by people of color. This is an opportunity to start shifting your procurement practices. The following resources will help you get started:
In 2016, Prosper Portland established Mercatus, an online directory and storytelling platform for Portland’s business owners of color. The directory now includes 1000+ companies and continues to grow, highlighting diverse entrepreneurs throughout the city.
In addition to the directory, the Mercatus Member Connect Board provides a way to share jobs, contracts, and other purchasing or procurement opportunities directly with Mercatus members.
My People’s Market is a retail event spun off from Mercatus, designed and presented in partnership by Prosper Portland and Travel Portland. The market provides opportunities to discover and purchase consumer products and professional services from Portland’s entrepreneurs of color. Attend the next event or reach out about B2B opportunities.
Business Oregon’s Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) provides certification resources, connections to public contracting opportunities, and publishes a Directory of Certified Firms.