Oakland Disparity Study Reveals Systemic Discrimination in City Contracts

Report shows majority of public money goes to white male-owned firms outside Oakland, excluding minority- and women-owned businesses

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A long-awaited disparity study funded by the City of Oakland has revealed dramatic evidence of systemic discrimination in the city's awarding of public contracts. The report, produced by Mason Tillman Associates, shows that a majority of contract dollars go to a disproportionate number of white male-owned companies based outside of Oakland, while minority- and woman-owned businesses, especially African Americans, are largely excluded. The study covers a five-year period from 2016-2021 and examines $486.7 million in contracts across construction, architecture, engineering, professional services, and goods and services.

Why it matters

The findings of the disparity study raise serious concerns about the city's commitment to racial equity and inclusion. Despite having good procurement policies on paper, the report indicates the city's actual practices have resulted in the systematic exclusion of minority- and women-owned businesses from accessing lucrative public contracts. This has led to a direct loss of revenue and economic opportunity for Oakland-based businesses, as well as indirect losses in tax revenue and commercial vacancies.

The details

The report found that over 50% of the city's prime contract dollars were awarded to white-owned male businesses, which also controlled most subcontracting awards. Nearly 65% of the city's prime contracts were awarded to non-Oakland businesses. Many city departments were found to be using 'creative' methods to circumvent policies intended to promote contracting with minority- and women-owned firms, such as issuing 'emergency' contracts and providing waivers. The study also highlighted the city's failure to meet federal guidelines for awarding at least 17.06% of contract dollars to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), with only 2.16% of dollars going to DBEs.

  • The disparity study covers a five-year period from 2016 to 2021.
  • The report was made public by Councilmember Carroll Fife and discussed at a recent Council Life Enrichment Committee meeting.

The players

Mason Tillman Associates

An Oakland-based firm that performed the statistical, legal and economic analysis for the disparity study.

Councilmember Carroll Fife

Brought the disparity study report to the Council's Life Enrichment Committee, which she chairs.

Libby Schaaf

Served as mayor of Oakland from January 2015 to January 2023, during the time period covered by the disparity study.

Dr. Eleanor Ramsey

Founder and CEO of Mason Tillman Associates, who presented the findings of the disparity study.

Councilmember Ken Houston

Expressed frustration at the findings of the disparity study, saying the city's policies should have been implemented 24 years ago.

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What they’re saying

“Until we address the disparities that we are seeing, not just in this report but with our own eyes, we will be consistently challenged to create safety, to create equity, and to create the city that we all deserve.”

— Councilmember Carroll Fife (Oakland Post)

“It's not fair, it's not right. If we had implemented (city policies) 24 years ago, we wouldn't be sitting here (now) waiving (policies).”

— Councilmember Ken Houston (Oakland Post)

“These findings … are not just troubling, they are appalling, that we have let these things go on in our city.”

— Brenda Harbin-Forte, Retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge, Chair of the Legal Redress Committee for the Oakland NAACP (Oakland Post)

What’s next

The City Council is scheduled to discuss the disparity study report and take action at an upcoming meeting.

The takeaway

The findings of the Oakland disparity study expose deeply entrenched systemic discrimination in the city's contracting practices, which have systematically excluded minority- and women-owned businesses, especially African Americans, from accessing lucrative public contracts. This raises serious questions about the city's commitment to racial equity and inclusion, and underscores the need for immediate and substantive action to rectify these longstanding disparities.