Special School District is proud to host a free Business Diversity Workshop on March 11, 2023, from 8:30 AM to 12 PM, at Northview High School. Local businesses are invited to attend the workshop to learn more about how to become certified minority (MBE), women (WBE), disadvantaged (DBE), and service-disabled veterans (SDVE) business enterprises, tips and tricks for completing requests for proposals (RFPs), and guidance on how to do business with school districts. The workshop also includes a vendor fair and a keynote from Diana Wagner Hillard, JD, SHRM-SCP, Director for the State of Missouri Office for Equal Opportunity. Lunch will be provided.

The workshop agenda includes:

• 8:30 - 9:30 AM
  Vendor Fair (remains open throughout the workshop)

• 9:30 - 9:45 AM
  Welcome from Dr. Elizabeth Keenan, Superintendent of Special School District

• 10 - 10:30 AM
  Breakout session 1: Get Certified as MBE/WBE; RFP Tips, Tricks, and Questions; Do Business with School Districts

• 10:30 - 11 AM
  Breakout session 1: Get Certified as MBE/WBE; RFP Tips, Tricks, and Questions; Do Business with School Districts

• 11:15 AM - 12 PM
  Lunch and Keynote Speaker Diana Wagner Hilliard, Director, State of Missouri Office of Equal Opportunity

Interested participants can register online here: https://tinyurl.com/SSDBusinessDiversity-2023Reg

As a major employer and purchaser of goods and services, SSD is committed to creating and enhancing economic opportunities for MBE, WBE, DBE, and SDVE businesses by promoting access to procurement opportunities within SSD. 

About Special School District

Special School District of St. Louis County (SSD), the largest specialized education provider in the state, equips and empowers students of all learning abilities to excel to their greatest potential. This is realized through an inclusive, collaborative approach, supported by our comprehensive resources and deep expertise – all of which is centered on each student’s unique needs. Through special education, SSD serves more than 23,500 students with disabilities. Career and technical education is offered through two technical high schools serving an average of 1,800 students each year. With a geographic reach of more than 520 square miles, SSD impacts the lives of more students than any other local school district.