Support your advocates By Ronda Watson BarberOhioMBE Publisher I advocate for business advocates. You know the people that suit up in armor daily to fight for Black-owned businesses. Noted, all folks in Diversity & Inclusion, Purchasing, or Outreach positions are…
Category: Publisher’s Note
Columbus City Schools finally releases 2020-2021 LEDE spending numbers
White men are the beneficiaries of the disadvantaged business purchasing program By Ronda Watson BarberOhioMBE Publisher The state’s largest public school finally responded to my request for the LEDE utilization numbers for the school term 2020-2021. I sent FIVE requests…
Publisher’s Note: How do you keep your job when 5 classrooms catch fire and you cost the taxpayers over $300,000?
The incompetent Buildings & Grounds Director, who is paid $136,000, is responsible for this as well. How do you keep your job when 5 classrooms catch fire and you cost the taxpayers over $300,000? I have requested information on this…
Publisher’s Note: Show up to Thank CBOE member James Ragland and advocate for the LEDE program on Dec. 21
Black LEDE vendors must advocate for the programBy Ronda Watson Barber In a recent column. “Who will advocate for LEDE vendors?” I questioned the commitment of the elected school board to its purchasing inclusion program. LEDE businesses will lose a…
Publisher’s Note: Who will advocate for LEDE vendors?
Who will advocate for LEDE vendors?by Ronda Watson BarberOhioMBE Publisher I was saddened and concerned about the Columbus School Board election that James Ragland recently lost. James was a champion for LEDE vendors. During board meetings, he challenged the state’s…
Publisher’s Note: Endorsements don’t matter; Actions Do!
By Ronda Watson BarberOhioMBE Publisher As a Black business advocate, the ONLY Columbus School Board member who vocally and regularly speaks on legislation excluding LEDE and Black vendors is James Ragland. The other Black and Hispanic incumbents say NOTHING when…
Publisher’s Note: Who supports the LEDE Program?
Happy Birthday James Ragland – For the People. I want to publicly thank Columbus City Schools Board Member Ragland for his support of Black businesses and encouraging integrity in the district’s purchasing process. To date, he is the ONLY OhioMBE…