Black business need to fight for economic opportunities
By Ronda Watson Barber
Publisher
As the nation is celebrating its independence on July 4, how are Black businesses owners advocating and declaring their rights to compete and participate in the purchasing schemes of entities that receive public dollars? Taxation without participation is wrong. It cannot continue to be business as usual. Black people cannot continue to pay into tax bases and not be afforded purchasing and employment opportunities from those entities. The fight is for economic opportunities and wealth creation in the Black community.
Black businesses don’t need any more dog and pony shows. They don’t want false promises. They want contracts. Black businesses are capable and can perform when given the opportunity.
I am amazed at the biased attitudes of many in charge of tax dollars towards Black owned businesses. Where and why in someone’s mind, would one believe that Black businesses provide substandard products or services? Why is there a different expectation for Black businesses in comparison to white companies? Why is there a different standard? One “decision-maker” was so embolden with his power and unaccountability he told me that Black people have to do good business. I asked him if he told white folks that.
Most entities that receive public dollars not actively are engaged with all citizens that pay taxes. How can you receive public dollars or tax abatements and not be inclusive? Why are governments giving tax abatements and not requiring inclusion as a part of the deal? If you don’t want to be inclusive, then don’t accept tax dollars.
It can’t be business as usual. There are few small business advocates. Business owners have to speak up, write letters, vote for those who believe in purchasing inclusion, and contribute to campaigns. Get engaged. How are you advocating for your business? Are you challenging and questioning those in charge of your tax dollars?
All year I have written about my experiences with the public school districts in Central Ohio. Most have no interest in marketing their purchasing opportunities to minority owned firms. None have purchasing goals or make any attempt to be inclusive. The Pickerington School District is so cocky in their non-inclusive purchasing practices, when issued invitations to attend the no-cost OhioMBE Procurement Fairs, the treasurer simply responds “No.” I will continue to ask. I penned a letter to the entire elected school board and the superintendent to encourage purchasing diversity. No one gave me the professional courtesy of a response. Silence is acceptance. Thirty percent of the students in the Pickerington school district are of color. Pickerington is proud to practice taxation without participation.
Advocate of the Week
Thanks Jonathan Beard for your advocacy in Columbus. Beard is a co-leader of citizen initiative to change Columbus from an at-large City Council to a ward system. Beard and his diverse crew collected over 39,000 signatures mandating the City to put the issue in the hands of voters. There is a special election later this summer. Kudos Jon!
Just my thoughts – rwb
