Diversity in Business Practices


  • Patrick Chrysostome, Director
    Phone: (561) 681-2403
    3300 Summit Boulevard
    West Palm Beach, FL 33406


    Purpose and Functions

    It is the policy of The Office of Diversity in Business Practices (ODPB) to provide all persons an equal and fair opportunity to participate in procurement and contracting opportunities sponsored by the District. Through our SBE/M/WBE certification program, community outreach and networking programs, training workshops, contract review and onsite monitoring activities, project readiness evaluations, evaluation points, bid preference, customized meet and greets and internal and external matchmaking efforts, we seek to ensure small, minority and women-owned businesses are not victims of discrimination in the District’s contracting practices based on race, creed, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, disability, and religion. We achieve this mission by developing multi-tiered community outreach programs and collaborating with various departments and executive leadership to assure the small, minority and women-owned business community is afforded an equal and fair opportunity to share in the District’s contract opportunities, including formal and informal procurement levels and at both prime and subcontracting levels. The District’s ultimate goal is to support sustainable growth and economic opportunities for small, women-owned and minority businesses. The ODBP operates under School Board Policy 6.143.

    The Office of Diversity in Business Practices (ODBP) vision is to create a culture of diversity and inclusion where employees, vendors/suppliers  external partners, feel heard and feel valued for their unique contributions, empowered and trusted to handle greater responsibilities, respected for who they are and supported to perform their duties.