Press Release
Media Contact: Casey Baines cbaines@bostonchamber.com
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Pacesetters initiative, a collective effort to use equitable procurement practices to close the racial wealth gap, is pleased to announce that Pacesetters increased their spend with local businesses of color by $99.4 million, a 222% increase year over year, and increased spend with statewide businesses of color by $23 million. Answering the call to action at the beginning of the most recent racial reckoning, Pacesetters utilized equitable best practices to achieve heightened levels of spend, especially at the local level where spend with businesses of color tripled.
“The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is proud of the Pacesetters’ meaningful investments during 2021, most notably increasing spend by almost $100 million with local businesses of color. This is the type of commitment – and action – that moves the needle to close the region’s racial wealth gap. The Massachusetts business community is leading the way into the future of commerce with transformative, collaborative, and inclusive partnerships, and the Chamber urges the entire business community to join us in prioritizing equity,” said James E. Rooney, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.
In 2021, 10% of Pacesetters local spend went to businesses of color, 5.2% of their state spend went to businesses of color, and 8.1% of national spend went to businesses of color. This substantial increase in spend marks a significant milestone as the Pacesetters move closer to achieving their goal:
10% statewide spend with businesses of color.
Read the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Pacesetters 2021 Data Collection Report.
The Pacesetters initiative, a cornerstone of the Chamber’s Economic Inclusion portfolio, is leading commerce forward – creating and establishing an inclusive, diverse economy that champions businesses of color. Together, Pacesetters are leading the business community forward with best practices that elevate greater economic opportunity for Black and Brown communities.
About the Chamber’s Pacesetters Initiative
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce founded the Pacesetters initiative in 2018 and expanded statewide in 2020. Pacesetters are large and mid-sized companies and anchor institutions that use equitable procurement practices to close the racial wealth gap by intentionally increasing spend with businesses of color. Learn more about Pacesetters at the website.
About the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
We are the convener, voice, and advocate of our region’s business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive. We help our members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive learning and development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.