Since 2002, Metro has provided consultation, staffing support, and compliance monitoring for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise ACDBE Program for the New Orleans Aviation Board. Key among Metro’s responsibility include: Read More
Metro has compliance monitoring and reporting responsibilities for the design and construction of the $1 billion new terminal development for the NOAB. Specific responsibilities include: Read More
Since 2016, Metro has provided DBE and ACDBE compliance support for the Lafayette Regional Airport. As a subcontractor to Heery International, Metro is responsible for design, development, implementation and monitoring of the federal DBE Program for the Lafayette Airport Commission (LAC). Metro assumed responsibility for LAC’s DBE program and is tasked to: Read More
From 2016 through 2018 Metro was contracted by the City of New Orleans to manage the Disadvantage Business Enterprise Program through the Office of Supplier Diversity. Metro’s responsibility included: Read More
Metro is currently providing consultation and staff support for the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) of New Orleans under contract to Transdev Services, Inc. Metro is currently staffing the RTA’s DBE office providing DBE certification, goal setting, bid analysis, compliance monitoring and bi-annual reporting to the Federal Transit Administration. From 2011 through 2015, Metro staffed the RTA’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program and was responsible for the development and implementation of the race-neutral federal SBE and for the administration of the agency’s race-neutral SLDBE program.
Metro provided consultation, on-site staffing, outreach, and support services to the Louisiana National Guard’s Jackson Barracks Economic Outreach program. Metro’s primary role included the recruitment of small businesses impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and recruitment of local citizens for job opportunities. Additionally, Metro had responsibility for informing the surrounding Lower Ninth Ward, Holy Cross and St. Bernard Parish communities of the project’s progress, economic opportunity and economic outcomes. Metro worked with the labor unions participating on the project to ensure that labor recruited from the community receives the training and skills to successfully participate on the project. As well, Metro’s role includes the resolution of contractor and labor disputes.
For the New Orleans Aviation Board, Metro is responsible for development and updating the agency’s Title VI policy for compliance with FAA requirements. Metro developed the NOAB’s original plan and is in process of upgrading the plan to include conducting the 4 Factor Analysis for LEP compliance, developing environmental justice policies around mitigation requirements for adjacent neighborhoods, and developing ADA Compliance requirements beyond the scope of activities required by the individual airlines.
Metro is also responsible for conducting Title VI investigations for complaints of discrimination and/or disparate treatment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, color, ethnicity, language proficiency and any distinction recognized in the federal Title VI policy. Specific responsibilities include developing a research methodology, interviews and document review requirements; conducting the full investigation and rendering a final report for the NOAB and the FAA Office of Civil Rights.
During Metro’s tenure with the City of New Orleans Office of Supplier Diversity, Metro was responsible for development of the city’s Title VI Policy. As a recipient of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding, the City of New Orleans is required to have a US DOT compliant Title VI program including provisions for Limited English Proficiency and environmental justice, ADA compliance and contractor compliance.
Metro developed the program for the City of New Orleans including the LEP 4 Factor analysis; and under Metro’s tenure the policy and program were approved by the state and federal FHWA Civil Rights authorities. Metro also conducted the annual Title VI Compliance report for the City of New Orleans for the 2017 reporting period.
Responsibilities included coordination and linkage with the Office of Civil Rights for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the US Federal Highway Administration; with the Human Rights Commission and the Department of Public Works.
Metro developed the Title VI program for the Regional Transit Authority (RTA’ of New Orleans for compliance with the Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights. The RTA’s program included the 4 Factor analysis to support Limited English Proficiency programming, as well as ADA compliance and environmental justice requirements for FTA funded projects.
As a passenger transit agency, the RTA’s Title VI plan includes requirements for equitable scheduling of transit routes across low-income communities and communities of color, and the equitable placement of transit amenities such as benches and shelters. The Title VI policy development included analysis of census tract data to determine target low-income and minority routes and development of policies and guidelines for additions, removal and changes of transit routes and schedules; placement and removal of transit stops and amenities; and performance metrics for measuring equitable service delivery.
Metro was contracted by the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission for development and implementation of the Public Involvement Plan targeting low- to moderate-income and minority communities in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and St. Tammany Parishes. Additionally, Metro was responsible for ensuring Title VI compliance for the agency’s U.S. Department of Transportation recertification process.
Currently under contract with New Orleans & Company, (formerly the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau) to develop and implement policies and programs for inclusion of entrepreneurs of color and women in New Orleans tourism industry.
Metro is currently under contract with Living Cities to provide consultation and support to the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) for development of a high-growth ecosystem to support entrepreneurs of color in New Orleans.
Conducted research and development and co-facilitation for PolicyLink around equitable policies for capital and infrastructure projects for government agencies.
Provided program design, implementation and management for the Minority and Women Business Enterprise and for minority and women hiring goals for construction of the land-based casino.
Metro’s principle, Judith Dangerfield, served for 3 years as a federal monitor for the Department of Justice Consent Decree with the City of New Orleans. Metro provided support for the team of federal monitors to include community engagement and monitoring NOPD performance toward the elimination of patterns and practices of discrimination and attainment of compliance with federal Civil Rights requirements.
During Metro’s tenure with the City of New Orleans Office of Supplier Diversity, Metro was responsible for development of the city’s Title VI Policy. As a recipient of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding, the City of New Orleans is required to have a US DOT compliant Title VI program including provisions for Limited English Proficiency and environmental justice, ADA compliance and contractor compliance.
Metro developed the program for the City of New Orleans including the LEP 4 Factor analysis; and under Metro’s tenure the policy and program were approved by the state and federal FHWA Civil Rights authorities. Metro also conducted the annual Title VI Compliance report for the City of New Orleans for the 2017 reporting period.
Responsibilities included coordination and linkage with the Office of Civil Rights for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the US Federal Highway Administration; with the Human Rights Commission and the Department of Public Works.
Metro developed the Title VI program for the Regional Transit Authority (RTA’ of New Orleans for compliance with the Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights. The RTA’s program included the 4 Factor analysis to support Limited English Proficiency programming, as well as ADA compliance and environmental justice requirements for FTA funded projects.
As a passenger transit agency, the RTA’s Title VI plan includes requirements for equitable scheduling of transit routes across low-income communities and communities of color, and the equitable placement of transit amenities such as benches and shelters. The Title VI policy development included analysis of census tract data to determine target low-income and minority routes and development of policies and guidelines for additions, removal and changes of transit routes and schedules; placement and removal of transit stops and amenities; and performance metrics for measuring equitable service delivery.
For Department of Transportation public works projects, Metro provided support for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for the Almonaster Bridge Replacement project in Orleans Parish and the LA 46 Bridge development project in St, Bernard Parish.
In the months following Hurricane Katrina, Metro provided environmental justice support to the Bring New Orleans Back Commission, reaching out to displaced citizens across the country to get input and feedback on rebuilding plans. The project included participation in and facilitation of meeting in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, and development and administration of a survey administered nationally via coordination and linkage with non-profit and public entities and electronic media.