Advocate for your business in 2017
By Ronda Watson Barber
United we are stronger! I think 2017 is going to be telling for Black businesses. Are we going to stand up to entities that accept our taxes dollars and demand our fair share of purchasing budgets or are we going to allow business as usual. Our votes and dollars have power. Are we going to allow inclusion and diversity efforts to become obsolete? Black businesses matter. Black folks pay taxes. Public school districts receive local, state and federal funding because Black students are enrolled. Unfortunately, Black businesses are not getting their fair share of business with public schools. With the exception of Columbus City Schools, I can not convince area public schools to participate in the OhioMBE Procurement Fairs. They are not mandated to provide purchasing opportunities , practice good faith efforts or access to opportunities so they don’t. While local schools are eager to accept tax dollars from a diverse population, they are less than receptive to providing economic opportunities for businesses of color.
Columbus City Schools, the state’s largest public school district, touts its inclusion program, but are they really serious about including disadvantaged businesses in the purchasing scheme? The purchasing numbers speak loud and clear. They are not.
Has Columbus City Schools ran a fast one the voters? Voters recently gave the school district a vote of confidence and support by passing a permanent school tax levy. For four straight years, they have failed to meet the board policy of purchasing 20 percent of goods and services with certified LEDE businesses. Why can’t they meet the purchasing goal? If folks jobs were tied to meeting the goal, the goal would be met! It appears that since its just a goal, they are lackadaisical about it. The voters gave them the money they requested. Now what? What leverage do Black businesses have? I guess challenge the elected school board to require purchasing inclusion and meet the goal or run the risk of not being re-elected. Why is the board approving purchasing legislation that does not have inclusion? They set the tone. Former board president Stephanie Hightower would send legislation back and demand inclusion. Purchasing requests brought before the board would not be honored without including disadvantaged businesses.
The purchasing numbers are posted on OhioMBE.com. I’m still waiting for the board president to reschedule the meeting he canceled. His silence on the matter is acceptance of the situation. I encourage you to get active! Make phone calls. Write letters. Action is obviously necessary and required. Advocacy is imperative. Your voice is needed! United we can make a change.
Just my thoughts…rwb
Printed in OhioMBE – Dec. 15, 2016 –
