BART supports LGBTQ-owned businesses all year long with outreach and inclusion
BARTBy MELISSA JORDANBART Senior Web ProducerJune 26, 2019Long after the Pride parade confetti is cleared, BART will be working year-round to support LGBTQ-owned and other disadvantaged small businesses, as part of its equity programs.“We want to be on the forefront of inclusion,” said Joseph Towner of BART’s Office of Civil Rights. The office’s equity programs are intended to ensure that there is no discrimination. It helps small businesses obtain certifications that can boost their competitiveness for contracts.Some certifications, such as for minority-owned and women-owned small businesses, have been around for many years. The LBGTQ certification program was added in 2017 by the BART Board of Directors.