It is the mission of the Equal Opportunity Division to serve, support, and find solutions for Ohioans by ensuring equal opportunity to and fair treatment in government contracting and state employment. The Division strives to achieve its mission by implementing and enforcing the state’s affirmative action and equal employment opportunity policies, and implementing and monitoring the state’s procurement preference programs for minority-owned, women-owned, and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses.

Administrative Unit
Eric M. Seabrook, Deputy Director and State EEO Coordinator
Stacy Cornett, Program Administrator

Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Unit
Jennifer Adair, EEO Program Manager

Business Certification and Compliance Unit
Todd McGonigle, EEO Program Manager

Research, Reporting and Recruitment Unit
Bobbi Bell-Bartholomew, Program Administrator

 

Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity (EDGE) Program Information

Click here to view the EDGE Graduation and Participation Time Limit policy, as well as useful resources. 

Minority Business Owners:
Ohio Certification Can Help Grow Your Business

Ohio is strongest when as many Ohioans as possible have an opportunity to share in our state’s growing economic strength. One way that state government does this is through the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program. The MBE program seeks to expand options for state purchasing by encouraging MBE-certified businesses, both small and large, to do business with the state. At the same time, state agencies are directed to source a portion of their goods and services from MBE-certified vendors. The state also provides a wide range of business development resources to help businesses grow and compete in the public and private markets. Below is a graphic representation of the dollars spent by state agencies with MBE-certified businesses from Fiscal Year 2008 to Fiscal Year 2019.

Click here to learn about the benefits, criteria and processes to certify your business with the MBE program.

2020 MLK Awards -- Nominate today!
Ohio 35th Annual MLK Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for Ohio individuals and organizations who carry on the legacy Dr. King's dream and advance his philosophy of nonviolent social change for the 35th Annual Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration on Jan. 16, 2020 at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Columbus.

Award nominations are meant to celebrate the people and organizations across Ohio who show faith in action through volunteer work and other positive activism. Is there someone withing your community who is doing just that? Don't delay, nominate them today!

Click the banner below to learn more.

Wondering how to locate the forms you need to complete on the Ohio Business Gateway? Here are some tutorial videos the Gateway team put together to help you log in and add service areas (and forms) to your profile.