Equity & Community Impact

At New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the Equity & Community Impact (E&CI) division works to ensure that economic growth benefits all New Yorkers. We lead efforts to embed equity into NYCEDC’s mission by shaping policies, programs, and investments that are inclusive and community-centered. By prioritizing equity, we help ensure that New York City’s growth is not only robust, but also inclusive and sustainable for generations to come.

Through strategic partnerships and programs, data-informed evaluation, and systems-level change, E&CI supports a more equitable economy.

Our Core Functions

We focus on five key functions that guide equity-centered work across NYCEDC:

Equity Strategy & Policy Development

We co-create and review strategies that align with NYCEDC’s mission and equity goals. Our team offers guidance and recommendations that help drive inclusive and impactful decision-making.

We engage a wide range of stakeholders in policy development to ensure diverse perspectives are represented. This work helps create effective, lasting solutions that drive systems-level change.

Stakeholder Engagement

We build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders to ensure their perspectives shape the programs and policies that influence New York City’s economic development.

Program Evaluation

We conduct equity-centered assessments to measure the impact of NYCEDC programs and continuously improve their effectiveness, especially for historically underserved communities.

Technical Assistance

We provide support across all phases of project and program development, including planning, implementation, and evaluation. Our guidance helps integrate equity into goal-setting, procurement processes, and long-term sustainability.

Equity Integration Across Programs

We ensure that equity is embedded across all NYCEDC initiatives by addressing disparities and promoting fair, inclusive outcomes.

Our Pillars

Within the E&CI division, several dedicated pillars help carry out our mission:

Economic Mobility

The Economic Mobility team works to remove barriers and expand opportunities for underserved communities. We focus on increasing access to workforce training and career pathways wherever NYCEDC is creating employment opportunities, so all New Yorkers can achieve economic prosperity.

Accessibility

The Accessibility team advances inclusion across NYCEDC’s physical, digital, and programmatic infrastructure.

By ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), embedding Universal Design principles, and engaging key stakeholders, we work to create environments that are accessible to all.

Program Evaluation

The Program Evaluation team builds and manages an equity-focused evaluation framework that supports the design, implementation, and impact of NYCEDC initiatives.

Through process-based evaluation, comprehensive assessments, and centralized infrastructure, we generate insights that improve effectiveness and connect resources to demonstrated needs.

M/W/DBE

The Opportunity M/W/DBE team creates and manages programs that increase the capacity of vendors in New York City through business management training, networking, and technical assistance.

Currently NYCEDC offers two capacity-building programs for M/W/DBEs: ConstructNYC and the Waterfront Pathways Program. The programs are designed to assist M/W/DBE in navigating the current and upcoming opportunities on NYCEDC projects.