Scott M. Stringer, New York City Controller, released the results of the “Making the Grade” report for fiscal year 2021. The “Making the Grade” report rates City agencies based on their utilization and inclusion of minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs). 

The overall grade for New York City fiscal year 2021 was a “C-”, while the grade for fiscal years 2019 and 2020 remained at a “C”. 

The City awarded $30.4 billion in contracts during the 2021 fiscal year, 3.8 percent of which went to M/WBEs. Only two agencies received an “A”, the Commision on Human Rights, and the Departement for the Aging. Surprisingly, the state's Department of  Transportation received an “F”.

Due to the results of the 2021 “Making the Grade” various recommendations were made in order to increase the utilization and decrease inequities with M/WBE contracting. Some of the recommendations include appointing Chief Diversity Officers, adoption of the Rooney Rule, requiring all cabinet-level positions to include women and people of color in the search process and an equity audit of each agency. 

"[It] is clear that the City [has] abundant opportunities to address the systemic inequities experienced by communities of color especially as we continue to rebuild our economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic," Comptroller Stringer said in a press release accompanying the release of the report.

Read the full "Making the Grade" report at: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/making-the-grade/reports/making-the-grade-2021