Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department

We enforce the law to make sure opportunity is always fair.

WHO WE ARE?
The Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity (“Civil Rights or CRIO”) department is responsible for ensuring access and removing barriers through innovative and high quality customer-driven programs that foster access, economic opportunity and empowerment for residents, employees and businesses in the City of Detroit. The City of Detroit’s Department of Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity (CRIO) was formerly known as the Human Rights Department.

WHAT WE DO?
The department is here to provide access to all municipal programs and services, regardless of language or any other communication barriers by creating a Limited English Proficiency Plan, educating City employees on how to access translation services and providing those services to residents.

Additionally, the department is responsible for the certification of Detroit Headquartered and Detroit Based Businesses. We also certify Women, Minority and Small and Start-Up businesses and provide Section 3 Certification.

CRIO is responsible for monitoring the Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) which works to increase City of Detroit Residents in apprentice programs and in union membership.

CRIO is tasked with investigating complaints of discrimination for the protected class, sexual harassment and workplace violence. CRIO is also responsible for enforcing the American Disabilities Act.

Through our funding, we create opportunities for the community by ensuring Detroit Residents are represented on projects that have received funding regulated by the City of Detroit.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Provide Language Access Services
Become a Detroit Certified Business
Access to Section Three Certification
Information about who is participating in our STEP program
Providing a safe and discrimination free working environment
Access to Skilled Trades Training and Job Opportunities

Skilled Trades Employment

CRIO Skilled Trades Employment Program

Civil Rights Forms

Business Certification

Information on Business Certification with the City of Detroit

CONTACTS

Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity

(313) 224-4950, fax: (313) 224-3434

[email protected]

Civil Servant Complaint

(313) 224-4950

Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 2 Woodward Avenue - Suite 1240 Detroit, MI 48226

Monday - Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Applications not received after 3:30 pm. in Office

CRIO FAQ

ADA Accessibility Guidelines

What is Title VI?

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 200d), related statutes and regulations provide that no person shall on the ground of race, color, national origin, sex, or disabilities be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal funds. The entire institution whether educational, private or governmental must comply with Federal civil rights laws, not just the particular programs or activities receiving the federal funds.

What is the Certified Business Register?

The Certified Business Register (CBR) was first introduced in 1995, as a one-page listing of only eight businesses that were certified in two categories. Today, it displays over 600 businesses listed in five distinct certification categories. It is published in two versions, a recently updated easy to use bound hardcopy and an online version. The hardcopy is distributed to city departments, major developers, contractors, other public, private and non-profit organizations. It is noteworthy that city departments must comply with Executive Order (EO) 2003-4, which can be read on this website. The register is the primary source for meeting the obligation of this EO. The online version is updated at least monthly and contains the identical format as the hardcopy.

We believe that the development of business to-business partnerships will be key to the City's future success. The CBR is a resource tool for city departments, major developers, contractors, other public, private and non-profit organizations. The support of local businesses generates tax revenue, provides opportunities for business expansion and increases employment opportunities for Detroit residents. It is our goal that the Register becomes an essential resource tool for procurement in the public and private sectors. We encourage businesses to become certified and to purchase from other certified businesses.

How does using the Certified Business Register benefit local businesses?

Enhances the profile of a business among its peers on a regional and national level
Simplifies finding and accessibility to other certified businesses
Helps to increase the tax base, increases City services; thus benefiting local businesses
Creates a stronger economic community that serves as an insulator against economic downturns
Demonstrates a tangible commitment to the City of Detroit

How is the Detroit Certified Business Register structured?

The Register is organized alphabetically by business type. Each business entry includes the company's address, phone number, contact person and certification categories. We also list and clarify the type of goods and services that each company provides. These descriptions are based on the National Institute of Government Purchasing, Inc. (NIGP) commodity/service codes.

Companies that offer similar products/services are for the most part grouped together under a specifically defined business section. However, some may also provide products/services in more than one category. Please note that the "Other" section gives a boarder variety of products/services and companies than can be found elsewhere in the Register.

The City of Detroit Human Rights Department/Commission is pleased to present our latest online Certified Business Register, which is located at the bottom panel of this page.

Special Note:

The certification status of each certified business is current relative to the date of printing.
Businesses listed in the Register have made application and been subject to review in determining their eligibility in meeting criteria of the DHB/DBB/DSB/MBE and or WBE certification(s) as outlined in the department’s Administrative Guidelines.
The Human Rights Department does not guarantee the quality or reliability of the products or services of the businesses listed.

Detroit Business Certification Register

What is the tax abatement program?

The City of Detroit- Planning and Development Department administers the following tax incentive programs:

Public Act 146 of 2000 the Obsolete Rehabilitation Act, which
provides for reduced property taxes for up to 12 years on
improvements to existing rental residential units and/or commercial
structures , or structures being converted to rental residential and/or
commercial space.

Public Act 198 of 1974 is designed to provide a stimulus in the form
of significant tax incentives to industries that renovate and expand aging
plants, build new plants and promote establishment of research and
development laboratories.

The City of Detroit Human Rights Department monitors developers and contractors to promote local (Detroit Based) business utilization and resident workforce diversity. Please refer to our contracting and employment opportunities section for opportunities under Public Act 146 of 2000.

For opportunities subject to Public Act 198 of 1974 contact the Office of Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity. For information about applying for a tax abatement or upcoming projects feel free to contact the Planning and Development Department.

Planning and Development Department

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 2 Woodward Avenue - Suite 808 Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 224-1339

Fax: (313) 224-1310

Monday - Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 2 Woodward Avenue - Suite 1240 Detroit, MI 48226

Monday - Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Applications not received after 3:30 pm. in Office

How do I apply for the Human Rights Affirmative Action Clearance?

The Human Rights Department provides Affirmative Action Clearances as a service to City Departments and to fulfill City Council contract approval requirements. The Department reviews the equal employment practices of all contractors, vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers doing business and/or proposing to do business with the City of Detroit.

Pursuant to Section 27-3-2 of the Detroit City Code, all contractors, prospective or otherwise, doing business with the city, shall take affirmative action to achieve reasonable representation of minority groups and women, on their workforce. Such affirmative action shall include but not be limited to the following; employment, promotion, demotion or transfer, recruiting or recruitment, advertising, layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training or education, including apprenticeships.
Once a City Department/Agency or vendor requests an Affirmative Action Clearance, vendors will be expected to submit the following:

A copy of the company’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy as officially adopted. This may be a statement on company letterhead and signed by an official, indicating that the company does not discriminate in its employment practices and takes affirmative action to recruit and hire minority persons and women.
A completed Contract Compliance Report (EEO-1) listing current employees by sex and race, and establishing minority and female hiring goals for all occupational categories of employment utilized by the company.
A completed EEO-2 form, listing current employees, hires, promotions, and terminations during the past year; or employment activity since the last Contract Compliance/Affirmative Action evaluation.
A statement on company letterhead that no subcontractors will start work on the project, until they are cleared by the Human Rights Department.
The name, address, telephone number, dollar amount, and approximate work start date of all subcontractors on the project should be furnished to the Human Rights Department as soon as they are identified.

Clearances are valid for a minimum of six months to a maximum of 24 months.

Clearance renewals must be requested by the City Department/Agency or vendor one month prior to the expiration date.

Contracting & Employment Opportunities

Construction Workforce Diversity Program
The goal of the Construction Workforce Diversity Program is to promote employment of Detroit residents on publicly funded construction projects. It encourages developers and contractors to utilize local residents as both apprentices and journeymen. It further calls upon them to demonstrate good faith efforts by working with organized labor unions and contractor organizations to facilitate a minimum 50% Detroit resident worker hours on each project. Where possible, this percentage is to be applied on a craft-by-craft basis. Each construction contractor and subcontractor shall meet this percentage or provide substantial good faith efforts. Detroit residents and businesses may review the following list of construction projects and contact persons for potential opportunities.

Gateway Infrastructure Projects