Pacesetters

City Sealcoating CEO Keith Chaney had just publicly called out the Boston Chamber of Commerce for their slow progress on their supplier diversity program, Pacesetters. Established in 2018 by regional business leaders, Pacesetters was supposed to facilitate relationships between large purchasing organizations and minority-owned businesses in the greater Boston area, eventually leading to procurement contracts for those minority-owned businesses. It was designed as an approach to fix the worsening racial wealth gap in Boston; however, after 2 years of operation, the program did not deliver as many—including the Boston Chamber of Commerce—had hoped. Now nearing its third year, Boston Chamber of Commerce President & CEO James E. Rooney wondered how to best change the program, helping it deliver on its promise to, within a generation, close the racial wealth gap. Chaney, a minority business owner and Pacesetters participant, was skeptical.