By Ronda Watson Barber,
OhioMBE Publisher
It’s that time of year again — candidates are asking for your vote. Before you give it, make sure you ask the right questions. Our votes and our dollars are powerful tools. We must use them wisely to empower our communities, promote economic growth, and hold leaders accountable.
The stakes are higher than ever. Elections aren’t just about who holds office — they determine how public dollars are spent and which communities benefit from those investments. Local and statewide decisions impact everything from small business development and workforce opportunities to education, housing, and neighborhood safety. Too often, candidates promise inclusion during campaign season but fail to deliver once elected. Now is the time to demand transparency, accountability, and measurable results.
As Black and minority business owners, we must make it clear that our votes are not automatic. We expect candidates to demonstrate a record of action — not just words — that supports economic inclusion, supplier diversity, and fair access to capital and contracts. Every candidate should be able to answer one simple but powerful question: Why should Black business owners vote for you?
The U.S. Constitution applies to all of us. Each of us has a responsibility to help build a more perfect union for future generations. Obstacles to voting may be placed in our path — whether through registration challenges, limited polling access, or misinformation — but we must resist and persist. Our collective participation is the foundation of progress.
Just my thoughts — RWB
Questions to Ask Candidates Seeking Public Office
As small and minority business owners, consider asking these questions when candidates seek your vote:
- What have you done throughout your career to support Black-owned and minority-owned businesses?
- What do you plan to do for Black-owned and minority-owned businesses if elected?
- What Black-owned or minority-owned businesses do you personally support through your purchases or partnerships?
- Why should Black business owners vote for you?
- How important is minority business development to the overall Ohio economy?
- Do you believe minority business set-asides and participation goals in city, county, and state government are still necessary? Why or why not?
- What specific actions can local and state governments take to increase purchasing with minority-owned firms?
- What steps should minority-owned businesses take to better position themselves for government contracting opportunities?
- Beyond contracting, what additional resources or policies can the city, county, or state provide to help MBEs thrive?
- Who are the major contributors to your campaign?
