Photos courtesy: DOT Press Dept

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) on September 15, 2025 hosted its Fourth Annual “Doing Business with DOT” event, shining a spotlight on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and their role in shaping the city’s infrastructure and future.

The event, streamed live, gathered entrepreneurs, city leaders, and advocates in a shared mission: to connect MWBEs with contracting opportunities and remove barriers that have historically excluded them. 

Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez: Leading with Equity

DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez set the tone for the day with a strong call to action. He highlighted DOT’s commitment not only to building safer, more sustainable streets, but also to ensuring that the economic benefits of those projects flow equitably into New York’s diverse communities.

Rodriguez, himself a Dominican immigrant and long-time advocate for immigrant rights and equity in government, framed the event as both a policy priority and a personal mission. “Infrastructure is about more than concrete, asphalt, and steel,” he said. “It’s about people. It’s about making sure that the businesses building our city reflect the diversity of our city. When MWBEs have access to contracts, they create jobs, they reinvest in their neighborhoods, and they build generational wealth.”

He also pointed to the Biden Administration’s federal infrastructure investments, explaining that NYC has a unique opportunity to direct unprecedented funding toward small and historically underrepresented businesses. Rodriguez emphasized accountability: DOT will continue to track and publish its MWBE participation goals, making sure progress is both measurable and visible.

Opportunities & Impact

Workshops and panels throughout the day tackled practical issues such as:
– Navigating NYC’s procurement system
– Building partnerships with prime contractors
– Leveraging MWBE certification for growth
– Case studies of MWBEs already succeeding in DOT projects

Rodriguez closed by underscoring the moral and economic imperative of equity. “This is not just about meeting quotas. It’s about fairness, it’s about dignity, and it’s about making sure every community shares in the prosperity of New York City.”

Beyond Business

For MWBE participants, the event was more than an information session. It was an affirmation that their businesses matter — and that City Hall is actively working to break down systemic barriers. One attendee summed it up best: “This is not just business. This is about breaking barriers and building legacies.”

Click here to watch event here.

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