The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Freddie O'Connell, Mayor
Executive Order 33
I, Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me, do hereby find, direct, and order the following:
Minority-owned businesses and the minority community should be active participants in Metro’s economic development programs, initiatives, and policies. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County’s economic development programs flourish when all businesses, including minority businesses, and communities are fully engaged and contributing.
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (“Metro”) is committed to promoting programs and advancing policies that close the gap in opportunities, assets, and wealth for minority-owned businesses. It is important for Metro to continue to provide access to programs, promote policies, and build a framework for discussions about how to remove barriers, increase awareness, and improve minority business owners’ potential for success. To that end, Metro is committed to undertaking a collaborative effort with the minority business community to develop and implement strategies that will address known disparities and facilitate longevity and wealth creation for minority business owners.
In order to increase participation by minority-owned businesses in the economic development of Nashville, ensure that minority businesses have access to capital, procurement opportunities and technical assistance, and ensure Metro creates a business environment that is conducive to inclusion, there is hereby created the Minority Business Advisory Council (“Advisory Council”).
A. Provide advice, insight and expertise to Metro in the diversification and opening of its markets, as well as the identification of business opportunities for minority-owned businesses;
B. Provide guidance and feedback about Metro policies and legislation that would favorably impact the growth and development of existing minority business enterprises, and about practices that would increase the number of minorities starting businesses and further contributing to the growth of Nashville’s economy;
C. Keep Metro’s chief impact officer and business assistance office abreast of important issues and trends in minority business growth, development and ownership;
D. No later than January 31 for the previous calendar year submit an annual report to the chief impact officer and business assistance office that outlines concerns, issues and challenges regarding minority business development and growth and identifies potential initiatives to respond to those issues and challenges; and
E. Implement community-facing engagement activities for higher education partners, private-sector business leaders and workforce development practitioners to provide updates on strategies, challenges and opportunities to impact workforce and talent pipelines that affect minority businesses.
The Advisory Council shall consist of not more than twenty (20) individuals who have been or are presently engaged in minority business development, either in private industry, with a nonprofit organization, in government service, or as a scholar of recognized achievement in the study of minority business matters, as well as other individuals who are concerned about the development of minority businesses in Nashville. The Advisory Council shall strive to include representation from at least one member of each ethnic group included in the definition of minority/women business enterprise, while including diverse individuals based on gender and national subgroups present in the region. Members of the Advisory Council shall include:
A. A member of the business assistance office appointed by the director of the office;
B. The chief impact officer;
C. A member of the Metropolitan Council appointed by the vice mayor;
D. A designee of the director of finance;
E. A member of the mayor’s economic development staff appointed by the mayor; and
F. Up to fifteen (15) non-Metro designees appointed by the mayor. Members appointed under this Subsection F shall serve for a term of one (1) year. None of these members shall serve for more than three (3) years consecutively, and a person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
A. The mayor shall appoint the chair of the Advisory Council. The chief impact officer shall serve as the vice chair of the Advisory Council and help assist in staffing the called Advisory Council meetings. The appointee from the business assistance office shall serve as the secretary of the Advisory Council.
B. The Metropolitan Department of Finance shall provide staff support for the Advisory Council.
C. The Advisory Council shall meet no less than once per quarter, with meetings to be held at a date, time, and place to be determined by the chair.
Ordered, Effective and Issued: July 11, 2025
Freddie O’Connell
Metropolitan County Mayor
