Code for America Summit: A Procurement Pathway to Equity

Designing an equitable government together

We’ll be joining this year’s Code for America Summit organizing a breakout session on the Procurement Pathway to Equity.

In the U.S., procurement is still often a paper-based, compliance-driven chore that benefits the few. It is slow, costly, and inefficient, and often perpetuates the status quo where underrepresented groups are excluded from economic opportunity, professional growth, and high-quality services—all while public trust erodes.

Federal, state, and local governments are in a position to meaningfully address gender disparities, racial wealth gaps, and generational poverty through public spending. But even when governments aspire to engage marginalized communities, few understand how the procurement system creates unnecessary barriers for businesses and individuals, or how to put reforms into action.

In this panel discussion, private and public sector leaders will discuss how to change our procurement practices to better engage diverse vendors and underrepresented civic technologists, and ultimately deliver more equitable services and opportunities.

• Kisha Bwenge, Senior Community Building Manager, Open Contracting Partnership
• David Simeon, Portfolio Director, National Security, Fearless
• Lauren Lockwood, Founder & Principal, Bloom Works
• Michael Owh, Chief Deputy Director, Los Angeles County Internal Services Department
• ShaKeia Kegler, Founder, GovLia

The Code for America Summit is a two-day virtual experience that brings changemakers into one room―public servants, advocates, technologists, and organizers break through some of the governments’ biggest challenges by removing barriers and expanding government access to serve all