Minority Business is Good Business
By Ronda Watson Barber Publisher
I’m back from my summer vacation from writing this column. Many things have taken place. Kudos to the State of Ohio for exceeding its minority purchasing goals. For the first time in history, the State reached the goals of the Minority Business Enterprise program by purchasing 19 percent of goods and services through certified minority owned businesses. Ohio spent $228.5 million with MBEs. Certified MBEs include businesses that are 51% owned by persons who are Black, Hispanic, Asian or Native American. The demographic breakdown wasn’t available when OhioMBE went to press. Governor Kasich’s administration has been diligent in making sure that all Ohioans participate and succeed in the state’s procurement process. According to Lt. Governor Mary Taylor, “Ohio and its local communities cannot be strong without equally strong and financially healthy hometown businesses and that includes our minority small businesses.”
I am hopeful that this sentiment resounds throughout Ohio.
I am concerned about the state’s largest school district, Columbus City Schools. The district has a purchasing budget of $1.4 billion for the current school year. Yes, you read it right! $1.4 billion. They also have a goal to spend 20 percent of goods and services with locally disadvantaged businesses. Disadvantaged businesses are defined as those businesses that are located within the district and owner’s net worth is less than $250,000 not counting their investment in the company or primary residence. Last year, they only spent a sparse six percent of purchases with certified LEDE businesses. Is the district committed to its LEDE program? Is the school board committed to meeting the LEDE goal? Why isn’t Columbus City Schools meeting the goal? The LEDE program is important. As the recipient of tax dollars, the district has a moral obligation to make sure it has a diverse purchasing pool. Eighty percent the students in the district are disadvantaged and 74% are students of color. But for the poor SOCs in the district, many of CCS staff would not be employed with the high paying jobs they have. The district needs a change of mindset immediately. I reached out the all the board members to stress the importance of the program. Only board president Gary Baker and Dominic Paretti responded. Interestingly, none of the board members of color responded. Are biases reflected in the district’s purchasing practices? Why don’t some members of the administration understand that the program isn’t race based but economic? Why does the outreach coordinator only have a budget of $2500?
Small and minority business is good business.
Hey Canton. I see that you are building a new NFL Hall of Fame complex. Don’t forget to include MBEs in the process. OhioMBE will be watching.
Just my thoughts…rwb
