Office of Economic Opportunity
Our mission is to expand opportunities for the City’s low-income and unemployed residents assisting them to gain skills and credentials needed to succeed in the 21st Century economy, reduce income inequality, and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty in the City of Providence.
Keith Stokes
Business and Development Director
Business and Development Director
Grace Diaz
MBE/WBE Outreach Director
MBE/WBE Outreach Director
Dana Gillson
Confidential Asst to the Business Dev Director
Confidential Asst to the Business Dev Director
Kadeem Leslie
Deputy Director of Economic Opportunity
Deputy Director of Economic Opportunity
Jessie Ernster
Small Business Coordinator
Small Business Coordinator
First Source
For job-ready Providence residents looking for placement in open positions with First Source employers.
For job-ready Providence residents looking for placement in open positions with First Source employers.
Support for Small Businesses
Support for small businesses or those interested in starting one, including grants, loans, and technical assistance.
Support for small businesses or those interested in starting one, including grants, loans, and technical assistance.
Minority and Women-Owned Businesses
Procurement Program connecting certified businesses with opportunities to sell their products and services.
Procurement Program connecting certified businesses with opportunities to sell their products and services.
Year-Long Youth Employment Programs
In alignment with Mayor Elorza’s vision for a city with economic and educational opportunities for all.
In alignment with Mayor Elorza’s vision for a city with economic and educational opportunities for all.
Self-Employment Program
Pprovide unemployed and under-employed Providence residents with the training and support necessary so that they can become reemployed by starting their own businesses.
Pprovide unemployed and under-employed Providence residents with the training and support necessary so that they can become reemployed by starting their own businesses.
