Carlecia
Wright
Chief Business Equity Officer
Port Houston
Carlecia Wright is an award-winning Equity Strategist with an extraordinary track record in developing strategies that level the playing field and reduce barriers for underrepresented, marginalized, and disadvantaged individuals and communities. In May 2024, Carlecia joined Port Houston as the Chief Business Equity Officer, where she is charged with providing vision, leadership, and guidance for the port’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. She is responsible for implementing and administering contracting diversity, equity, and training programs, including the Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Development Program and Small Business Development Program. In this role, she serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, ensuring that equity, diversity, and inclusion are infused into the port’s culture.
Most recently, Carlecia served as the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Culture and Engagement Officer for Lone Star College where she led internal culture impact and community engagement initiatives. While at Lone Star College she established a comprehensive culture impact strategy supporting institutional policies, organizational culture, and employee development.
Prior to her tenure at Lone Star College, Carlecia served as the Mayoral appointed Chief Diversity Officer and Director for the Office of Business Opportunity for the City of Houston from 2011 to 2019. Under her strategic direction, the city awarded over $4 billion dollars to diverse businesses. Her leadership extended through the administrations of former Mayor Annise Parker and Mayor Sylvester Turner.
Carlecia serves on the Board of Directors for the Center for Houston’s Future and is the Chair of Subcontractor’s USA Magazine. Her leadership and advocacy have earned her numerous accolades, including being named a Woman Who Means Business by Houston Business Journal in 2019 and receiving the Community Advocate of the Year award from the Houston Black Chamber of Commerce. She was also recognized in Washington, D.C. with the Walker’s Legacy Women in Economic Development award, along with being recognized by Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, and featured as a Woman to Watch by the Houston Chronicle, among other honors.
Carlecia holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College Chicago and a master’s degree from New York University. She is an Executive and Communications Coach with various certifications in coaching, diversity, and leadership development. Carlecia is a graduate of the City of New York’s Leadership Institute, the Center for Houston’s Future, Leadership Houston, Leadership North Houston, and a Senior Fellow for the American Leadership Forum.
