About DEDI

The Division of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) is a division within the Department of Administration that was created in the summer of 2014 as a result of the State’s implementation of Executive Order 13-05, entitled: Promotion of Diversity, Equal Opportunity and Minority Business Enterprises in Rhode Island. This executive order required the Director of the Department of Administration (Department) to review all divisions and offices within the Department charged with facilitating equal opportunity employment and MBEs, including, but not limited to, the Division of Human Resources, the State Equal Opportunity Office, the Human Resources Outreach and Diversity Office, the Division of Purchases, and the MBE Program, and make recommendations to the Governor to improve collaboration between these offices and all executive departments to ensure these programs are more effective. As a result of a collaborative effort amongst these divisions, as well as other divisions within the Department of Administration, several recommendations were submitted to the Governor, one of which was the creation of the DEDI division.

DEDI oversees operations within the State Equal Opportunity Office, the Human Resources Outreach & Diversity Office, the Minority Business Enterprise Compliance Office, and the newly created Supplier Diversity Office.

We are committed to being the team that shifts the culture toward greater diversity, equity and inclusion in Rhode Island State government employment and procurement.

Vision

To create and support a diverse and inclusive state government culture that values and reflects the changing demographics of Rhode Island by advancing equitable and fair opportunities for all Rhode Island Citizens to be employed by and/or do business with the State of Rhode Island.

Major Goals

To ensure that the state government workforce reflects the demographics of our state’s labor force, with an emphasis on increasing the representation of people of color in the higher-level management positions.

To improve the culture within state government to be more equitable, inclusive, and engaging for all employees, as well as to improve the quality of service to our customers and clients.

To increase opportunities for minority and women-owned business enterprises, disadvantaged business enterprises, veteran business enterprises, as well as disability business enterprises, to participate in our state’s procurement activities.