Committee on Finance (5-13-26)

The Philadelphia City Council Committee on Finance held a public hearing on May 13, 2026, focused on Resolution 251034, which authorized hearings on the state of the economy for Black women in Philadelphia. The hearing featured extensive testimony from state representatives, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates highlighting the economic challenges faced by Black women, including wage disparities, barriers to capital access, job losses, and systemic inequities in housing, healthcare, and childcare. Several speakers urged the Council to implement targeted policies such as disaggregated contracting data by race and gender, streamlined certification for Black women-owned businesses, dedicated funding and grants, and workplace protections. While no specific contract awards or procurement decisions were made during the hearing, the discussions emphasized the need for future city investments and policy reforms to support Black women entrepreneurs and workers, which could influence upcoming procurement and economic development initiatives. The hearing concluded with commitments to follow up on legislative and policy solutions to address these disparities.