Publisher’s Notes
Unbought and Unbossed
By Ronda Watson Barber, Publisher
Everywhere I go around Columbus, people continue to ask me about the Central Ohio Minority Business Association. I used to be a consultant for the agency, until my advocacy of minority businesses offended both COMBA and Columbus City Council. I have moved on to much bigger and better things that will have a positive impact on micro-enterprises. I deeply care about economic development in the Black community. I pride myself on being “unbought and unbossed.” I will continue to speak the truth as I know it and advocate for MBEs
The 912 Group, created and forwarded to the Mayor’s Chief of Staff a petition regarding funding and support of expanding a plan room for minority contractors.
Councilmember A. Troy Miller promised me, COMBA and other business owners that he would secure more space for usage by minority businesses in the nearly vacant city owned 1393 E. Broad Street building. Promises were made but they were not kept. Just more political yaky yak. It’s been two years since we had the conversation. The petition apparently pissed City Council off. People keep asking why COMBA continues to send out a wacky letter of apology for a petition my company distributed.
The question really isn’t why they are sending out this strange communication, the question is WHO is requiring them to send it out and WHY? If Columbus City Council is behind this madness they really should be ashamed of themselves. The Democrats in Council are in charge of a lot of precious tax dollars. They should remember that they are in office to better the community not advance their own political careers. Is Council bullying and stifling freedom of speech in an effort to protect their egos and reputations? The 1st Amendment says we have a right to petition our government. I guess you can unless you want funding from Columbus City Council and its Minority Business Committee.
Throughout the week our elected officials will be smiling and promoting Black Businesses as there are three conferences in town highlighting minority owned businesses, but actually what has Mayor Michael Coleman, Columbus City Council and A. Troy Miller done for Black businesses recently?
1. There aren’t any procurement goals or set-sides in the City of Columbus. Why have a certification program if there aren’t any contracting benefits?
2. Black women can’t obtain an FBE certification although all other women of color can select their gender over their race.
3. The City won’t release the MBE/FBE utilization numbers. How much money is actually being spent with Black owned businesses?
Just my thoughts…rwb
