By Ronda Watson Barber
OhioMBE Publisher
It’s been a while since I’ve shared my thoughts; my schedule has been packed! I remain deeply concerned by certain Black leaders who, rather than support, seem to undermine Black businesses. They’re implementing policies that act as barriers for Black entrepreneurs.
I’m also extremely troubled by recent developments at Columbus City Schools. A local pastor is circulating a petition to recall the $100 million permanent tax levy, viewed as callous and unnecessary by many. The Columbus Dispatch reports that the teacher union president has resigned from the facilities committee, protesting planned school closures that disproportionately affect disadvantaged and Black neighborhoods, citing a glaring lack of equity.
Moreover, the school district’s hiring practices raise questions. There is a perplexing rush to fill the Outreach Coordinator position, yet astonishingly, there’s been no similar urgency in hiring a competent Chief Operating Officer. It’s difficult to believe that no suitable candidates have shown interest in such a vital role, or perhaps, is the administration complacently settling with the shoddy performance of the current interim COO?
They are interviewing candidates for the Outreach Coordinator who lack supplier diversity experience, overlooking qualified professionals who applied. This is a blatant waste of taxpayer resources. It’s vital to question why Capital Improvements continues to use cooperative purchasing instead of bringing the bidding process in-house to leverage the rich LEDE vendor database. Operations seem rigged to relegate Black vendors to subcontractor roles under majority firms, limiting their full participation in projects.
Supporting our local NAACP’s buy local stance, many Black vendors are rightfully advocating for opportunities within their community. Despite this, Columbus City Schools continues to funnel funds to outside entities, often bypassing local businesses that are more than capable of providing these services and have dutifully paid their taxes.
I’m struck by how some Black business owners, perhaps out of shock or naivety, continue to support figures who seemingly lack a moral compass. These leaders stand on the shoulders of giants—heroes like Al Washington, my father Frank Watson, Walter Cates, Bill Moss, Michael Gordon, and our local NAACP chapter—who resisted racism and fought valiantly for progress. Yet, their hard-won achievements are now at risk of being undone by a new breed of elected officials. These individuals appear more focused on personal accolades and photo opportunities in Black spaces than on genuinely supporting minority-owned businesses.
They demand taxes from the Black community but fail to ensure that Black businesses benefit from public spending. This must change; our community deserves leaders who advance rather than hinder our progress.
Lastly, interactions between the elected board and the administration at Columbus City Schools further illustrate this disconnect. It seems the administration doesn’t always provide the board with the full story when proposing new legislation for votes, adding another layer of concern about transparency and accountability.
Our community deserves better. It’s time for leaders who truly represent and uplift us, ensuring that both educational and economic opportunities are fairly distributed and beneficial to all.
Just my thoughts…rwb
