2025 Year in Review
As we begin 2026, I want to take a moment to reflect on 2025, a year of significant progress for the Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD). This past year required focus, persistence, and a willingness to improve how we work, all while staying grounded in our mission: to create and implement programs, policies, and procedures that assist underserved, under-utilized, and disadvantaged businesses with gaining greater access to procurement opportunities and resources to build competitively viable and sustainable businesses in and for the City of New Orleans. Despite ongoing challenges, 2025 marked a turning point for OSD. We strengthened our internal systems, improved accountability and transparency, deepened engagement with the small business community, and laid critical groundwork for the next phase of the City’s Equitable Business Opportunities (EBO) Program.
Key highlights from 2025 include:
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Strengthening internal systems and processes across Certification and Compliance, including new application and compliance tracking tools, documented standard operating procedures, and monthly audit workflows that improve consistency, timeliness, and accountability.
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Enhancing the SLDBE certification experience, including stronger application management, a requirement for newly certified firms to complete DBE Boot Camp to ensure that our SLDBE firms are better prepared to successfully contract with the City, and increased program participation.
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Revising all Contract Compliance Forms to align with City policy and professional service agreements, which helps us to improve clarity for contractors and strengthen enforcement of the City’s DBE participation goals.
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Updating online tools and public resources, including a revamped website with improved navigation, a new events and news section, access to on-demand YouTube training videos, and updated outreach materials to better serve our small business community.
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Implementing post-award contract compliance training for prime contractors and subcontractors, providing clearer expectations, stronger communication, and better tools to support compliance throughout the life of City contracts.
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Taking a more strategic and proactive approach to community engagement, hosting or participating in over 50 events and reaching more than 900 small businesses through capacity building events like workshops, certification assistance, compliance trainings, and partnerships across the local small business ecosystem.
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Revising the City’s professional services agreement and proposal scoring process to strengthen DBE compliance, clarify consequences for non-compliance, and ensure DBE participation is evaluated and scored by subject matter experts.
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Improving the accuracy and fairness of the DBE Scorecard, refining reporting methodology so departments are evaluated based on approved goals, resulting in more meaningful and equitable performance measurement.
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Building capacity within the OSD team to focus on overall quality assurance in the EBO program and increasing capacity building for our small disadvantaged business community, further strengthening the City’s ability to support compliance and small business success.
These accomplishments reflect the dedication of the OSD team, our partners across City departments, and the many small businesses that continue to engage, provide feedback, and participate in City opportunities.
Looking ahead to 2026, we are building on this momentum with a clear focus on:
- Modernizing and aligning the SLDBE certification process with City procurement practices.
- Institutionalizing stronger compliance and accountability measures.
- Expanding outreach and engagement to reach even more small disadvantaged, underserved, and underutilized businesses.
- Increasing capacity-building efforts and enhancing current programs.
- Continuing to improve data, reporting, and transparency across our department.
The progress we made in 2025 has positioned the Office of Supplier Diversity for meaningful, long-term impact. I am deeply grateful to the OSD team, our partners, and the small business community for helping move this work forward, and I look forward to what we will continue to accomplish together in the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Shawn M. Charles
Director
Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD)
2026 Mentor-Protégé Cohort
The City of New Orleans is proud to announce the 2026 Mentor-Protégé Cohort, the City's signature program designed to strengthen and grow our local small business community. Mentorship is one of the most powerful tools for business development, and this program reflects the City’s commitment to ensuring State and Local Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (SLDBEs) have a fair opportunity to compete for City contracts.
Four outstanding protégés were selected this year.
Meet the Protégés:
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Protégé Ruth Dunn, Founder of Sola Contracting LLC, a bonded and insured federal and commercial general contractor (LA GC #77111). Based in New Orleans, the firm provides construction and project management services throughout the Gulf Region and nationwide. Sola Contracting delivers high-quality work on time and with outstanding communication, setting it apart from its competitors. With a commitment to transparency in all aspects of the project, Sola Contracting most importantly does what it says it will do, when it says it will do it.
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Protégé Nayita Wilson, Founder & CEO of NVisions Communications & Consulting, a vision-driven public relations, strategic communications, and consulting firm that garners optimal visibility, exposure, and public awareness for public and private agencies, special projects, campaigns, and initiatives. Our team is comprised of skilled PR, communications, graphic design, and technology consultants who have experience in the public and private sectors.
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Protégé Jiarra Rayford, Owner of Rayford Realty NOLA LLC, a full-service commercial real estate brokerage and consulting firm specializing in sales, leasing, property management, and asset management for office, retail, hospitality, and multi-family properties. Rayford Realty offers strategic solutions for development, acquisitions, and dispositions, with extensive experience in foreclosure properties, government contracts, and private investments. The firm brings deep market expertise across Louisiana and Mississippi, with a national consulting reach.
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Protégé Jesse Schmidt, President & CEO of Gulf Coast Special Systems, LLC (GCSS) specializes in the design, installation, and maintenance of integrated life safety, communications, and security systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional clients. Areas of expertise include: Fire Alarm Systems (design, installation, testing, and certification), Access Control Systems (secure entry, card readers, and credentialing), Security Systems (intrusion, motion, and perimeter), Networked Video Surveillance (IP and hybrid CCTV with analytics), Fiber-Optic Termination & Structured Cabling (enterprise network design and integration), System Retrofit & Modernization (upgrading legacy systems to current standards), and 24/7 Service & Maintenance Programs with responsive on-call technical support. |
Meet the Mentors:
 Pictured left to right: Jose Lobo, Stacie Serna, and Obed Cruz (not pictured: Danny Cruz).
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Mentor Jose R. Lobo, Jr. the Owner and President of Southern Wolf Construction, bringing over 21 years of experience in commercial, multi-family, and tenant finish-out construction. His core strengths include subcontractor development, estimating and budgeting, quality control, client communication, and leadership. Jose is a relationship-driven builder, committed to quality, partnership, and delivering successful projects with transparency and accountability. He shares his success with his dedicated team, many of whom have been with him for over 15 years, fostering a culture that reflects a strong family environment. His most cherished accomplishment is his family, his wife, two daughters, and son.
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Mentor Danny Cruz, a successful entrepreneur with a background in Civil Engineering and Construction. He is the Owner and CEO of DACP Holdings Group, which includes DACP Construction, DACP Investments, and VEHO Hospitality generating over $40 million in revenue. His ventures expanded into concrete services with NOLA Concrete Pumping and real estate through Savior Builders, amassing a portfolio worth over $10 million. In 2020, he entered the restaurant industry, launching Tacos del Cartel and several other dining establishments across Louisiana and Florida. He is also a devoted family man and an enthusiastic Real Madrid supporter. Stacie Serna and Obed Cruz from the DACP team will be working with Danny Cruz to assist with mentoring his proteges. |
By pairing experienced contractors with emerging SLDBE firms, the program promotes knowledge-sharing, capacity building, confidence, and long-term success. Through hands-on training and structured mentorship, the Mentor-Protégé Program helps SLDBE firms gain experience and build meaningful relationships within the contracting ecosystem. Protégés may participate for up to two terms (36 months each), while mentors may participate for up to 10 years, provided they are actively engaged and mentoring SLDBE firms. To learn more about the City’s Mentor-Protégé Program, visit the Office of Supplier Diversity’s website https://nola.gov/next/supplier-diversity/programs/mentor-protege-program/.
This year we are honored to announce Entergy as our key corporate partner. Partnerships like this underscore why corporate engagement is essential. Small businesses cannot rely on city contracts alone to grow their firms. However, it takes collaboration across sectors to ensure they have the resources, connections, and opportunities needed to thrive. Through this partnership and others, we aim to link our firms to new private-sector opportunities that will drive growth, development, and long-term success.
News and Upcoming Events
As our 2026 begins, we are excited to start the new year with a strong lineup of events designed to support, connect, and empower our small business community.
Rise & Resource
We are proud to reintroduce our Rise & Resource event series this year. These sessions are designed to introduce small business owners to the Office of Supplier Diversity and the services we offer. Attendees will learn about the City's small business programs, available resources, and opportunities designed to help businesses grow, compete, and thrive in the local marketplace.
Coffee & Connections – January 22 (Evening)
Join us for our Coffee & Connections networking event a session designed to provide small business owners an opportunity to connect with other small businesses, the OSD team, and our ecosystem partners to ask questions, and receive guidance on supplier readiness and contracting opportunities. The goal is to foster meaningful relationships and provide hands-on support.
Webinar: Doing Business with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana – January 26
This informative webinar focuses on Doing Business with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. Participants will gain insight into becoming a vendor, navigating procurement processes, and identifying supplier opportunities. Topics will include supplier requirements, certification and registration steps, and tips to position your business for success.
DBE Spotlight
Carrita Tanner-Cloud
Creativity Justified CEO
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Carrita Tanner-Cloud is a dynamic leader and visionary in the advertising industry, known for her relentless commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As the founder and CEO of both Creativity Justified and Carrita Cloud and Associates, Carrita has made significant strides in creating platforms that champion women and minority entrepreneurs. Carrita founded Creativity Justified in 2016 while working as a Senior Executive Assistant at both Ochsner Health System and University Medical Center New Orleans. What began as a “side gig” quickly evolved into a flourishing full-time business by 2018. Her propensity to lead with compassion, thoughtfulness, generosity, and excellence has helped her to create an exceptional team of thought leaders, creatives, and administrators within her organizations.
In recent years, Carrita has taken on transformative projects that showcase her dedication to uplifting diverse communities. Her agency partnered with the NFL Guide to New Orleans to spotlight 59 diverse small businesses operated by minorities, veterans, and women. Creativity Justified also collaborated with the New Orleans Saints to create the Culture Bag Experience for new staff members of the Saints, Pelicans, and Birmingham Squadrons. Additionally, Carrita is working with the Baton Rouge Recreation Commission to create 21 events in underrepresented communities as part of the Paint the Parks campaign, aimed at revitalizing local parks and facilities.
Looking ahead, Carrita is focused on expanding the "Advertising as a Woman of Color"
mentorship program, increasing partnerships with organizations that support women and
minority entrepreneurs, and enhancing internal policies to support work-life balance and career growth for women. Her leadership continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of women and minority leaders in the advertising industry.
We asked Carrita:
How has your SLDBE certification positively impacted your business?
The SLDBE certification has allowed us to compete at a higher level. We’ve been contacted by companies and organizations outside of Louisiana looking to bid on contracts within New Orleans that recognize our value and work, along with our SLDBE certification. This demonstrates that we are qualified, committed, and have the capacity to partner on city and state opportunities. To date, we’ve been awarded two opportunities and received over 20+ connections with other businesses looking to partner on contract opportunities with our agency.
What advice would you give to newly certified DBEs?
Get out there and network. Don’t be afraid to show up in rooms you’re unfamiliar with and begin building relationships. The contracting/bidding space is all about relationships and performance. If you can learn to connect with other larger organizations and build relationships, you’re well on your way to success within your company.
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A Look Back
As we closed out the fourth quarter, the Office of Supplier Diversity focused on strengthening partnerships, delivering targeted technical assistance, and laying a strong foundation for our 2026 programming. Q4 was a season of connection, innovation, and preparation—ensuring our small business community enters the new year equipped with the tools, relationships, and resources for success.
October was packed with opportunities for business growth with a strong emphasis on innovation and business readiness. In partnership with the University of New Orleans, we introduced a 3-part AI Toolkit Series for Small Business Owners, aimed at artificial intelligence coupled with real-world applications to help businesses streamline operations, enhance marketing strategies, and improve decision-making. Small businesses also had the opportunity to participate in a Capability Statement Workshop, led by Dr. Barbara Holloway of SCORE New Orleans, where attendees learned how to clearly define their value proposition and strengthen their visibility with government agencies and prime contractors. Additionally, the Certification Team hosted their final CertiFest at Propeller, offering one-on-one support to help businesses navigate the City's SLDBE certification processes.
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In November, we continued to focus on capacity building & business growth. Mark Samuel of the Southern Region Minority Supplier Development Council (SRMSDC), hosted a webinar “Enhancing Business Services” that provided businesses with strategies to improve operational efficiency, expand market reach, & properly position their businesses for private-sector contracting.
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This December we proudly announced the 2026 Cohort of the City's Mentor-Protégé Program, which included several diverse industries across the cohort. Later in the month, the Office of Supplier Diversity celebrated the achievements of the 2025 Mentor-Protégé Cohort as we hosted a Networking Mixer at Zea’s, sponsored by Pivotal Engineering, LLC. The event brought together small business owners, industry leaders, and ecosystem partners to connect, collaborate, and celebrate this milestone. This event also provided an opportunity for participants to showcase their growth and share insights gained through the program. Together, these December milestones events reinforced our commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and creating sustained pathways for business growth as we move into the new year.
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Expand Your Business - DBE Waivers
The City of New Orleans mandates 35% DBE participation on all eligible city contracts. However, when we cannot identify a certified DBE to fulfill a specific service, we are forced to waive this goal. We encourage all certified DBEs to consider expanding their business offerings to help meet the needs of the City. By exploring these sectors where there are no certified DBEs, you can play a vital role in increasing participation & ensuring that our community thrives.
Take advantage of these procurement opportunities and help the City fill in the gaps!
Click Here to view waivers for no certified DBEs.
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STATE AND LOCAL DISADVANTAGE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. The firm must be a “for-profit” enterprise, must be domiciled in the United States of America, and must possess the proper certificates and licensure to conduct business within the State of Louisiana.
2. The firm (including its affiliates) must be an existing small business, as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) standards.
3. The firm must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged person who are U.S. Citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents.
4. The firm must demonstrate that the business’s ability to compete has been restricted due to industry practices, limited access to capital, and/or restricted credit opportunities that are beyond its control.
Contract Connections
New DBE Compliance forms are now available! All forms must be downloaded and opened in Adobe Reader to display correctly and ensure compliance. Opening the forms in other programs or web browsers will cause errors.
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All DBE Compliance submissions must use the new fillable PDF forms. Older versions will no longer be accepted, so please be sure to update your process. The new forms are available now on our City website: nola.gov/ebo-compliance.
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