By Ronda Watson Barber
OhioMBE Publisher
Here we are in 2025, and I’m still having to call out a big issue—organizations that get tax dollars but don’t make real efforts to work with minority-owned businesses. For more than a decade, I’ve been hosting OhioMBE Procurement Fairs to connect small and minority-owned businesses with contracting opportunities. We’ve partnered with some of the biggest organizations and agencies in Ohio to make this happen.
But despite all the progress, some organizations are still resistant. Why is it so hard for groups funded by taxpayers to engage with minority-owned businesses? Why aren’t they doing more to give back to the communities that keep them afloat? One agency, funded by a tax levy, hasn’t even bothered to respond to my emails or voicemails. When I finally heard back from the CEO’s assistant, they said, “I don’t know what we can do for you.” Really? My response was simple: the Black community expects you to reinvest in their businesses, especially after you asked for their support on that tax levy.
It’s been 24 hours, and I’m still waiting for a follow-up. This silence says a lot. It raises some important questions about accountability and whether these taxpayer-funded groups feel any real responsibility to support the communities they serve.
So, how do we as Black business owners hold these organizations accountable? It starts with staying vocal and persistent. These agencies need to understand that reinvesting in our communities isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s their responsibility.
As we kick off 2025, I want to ask you:
- What’s your plan to advocate for your business this year?
- How will you hold organizations and elected officials accountable for ignoring Black taxpayers?
- What can you do to help break down the barriers that keep Black vendors from getting contracts with government organizations?
- Have you joined an organization that advocates for Black businesses? If not, why? The Columbus Branch of the NAACP actively engages companies and organizations to be inclusive. They have been a voice for Black businesses, many who aren’t even members. The Ohio Business Development Center advocates and provides professional business services. How are you helping to keep their advocacy independent if grants can’t be secured? How are you helping yourself and the overall Black business community? We have to work together as one.
This year, let’s stop accepting excuses and start demanding action. We know that supporting Black businesses benefits everyone—it makes our economy stronger and our communities better. To the organizations living off tax dollars: it’s time to step up. Work with Black businesses. Give back to the communities that support you. Be part of the solution.
2025 is the year to make some noise, push for change, and ensure that our voices lead to real results. Together, we can make sure those tax dollars work for all of us.
Ronda Watson Barber is the publisher of OhioMBE and a long-time advocate for Black and minority-owned businesses. Through her work, she connects small businesses with contracting opportunities and promotes economic equity across Ohio.
