Columbus to review minority, LGBTQ+ business programs amid DEI crackdown
The city's Office of Diversity and Inclusion has long offered free business certifications that open doors to a slew of opportunities, from increased participation in city procurement and contracting to training, networking, outreach, and engagement programs. Certification also adds businesses to the city's online vendor directory, enhancing their digital presence and allowing them to market to internal buyers, public partners in other municipalities, the private sector and residents.
Along with minorities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community, the office certifies businesses owned by veterans along with small and emerging companies. But recent Trump administration executive orders calling for the end of DEI have prompted a review of these programs to ensure compliance with all federal laws, a spokesperson from the office of Mayor Andrew Ginther said. Watch a previous NBC4 report on the LGBTQ+ business certification in the video player above.
'While we strongly disagree with this federal directive, we are working closely with the city attorney's office to evaluate and, if necessary, revise our policies to ensure compliance with federal law,' the spokesperson said in a statement.
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Ginther's office said, under his leadership, the programs have yielded results. Minority business participation in city of Columbus contracts has grown from 8.4% in 2016 to 19.1% in 2024, representing more than $600 million in economic impact, the spokesperson said, noting that the mayor's office takes 'pride in the fact that city investments have not only supported essential public services but have also helped minority-owned businesses grow and thrive.'
The review comes after Columbus and several other central Ohio cities reaffirmed to NBC4 in February their commitment to diversity programs. A spokesperson said city council's dedication to equity and inclusion remains 'unwavering' and touted the city's Office of Diversity of Inclusion as a means to shape Columbus into 'America's Equal Opportunity City.'
'While we are continuing to study all the federal policy changes, council's priority is a Columbus where every resident feels safe and has the opportunity to thrive,' a Columbus City Council spokesperson said. 'Equity will continue to be a commitment to our residents.'
The city's LGBTQ+ business certification is one of the newer programs and was launched in 2022 in collaboration with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Ginther said in a statement then that 'by expanding equity in our programs and practices, we do the right thing by becoming a more inclusive city while driving competition, generating potential savings and improving the quality of services for our residents.'
Damita Brown, Columbus' former chief diversity officer, told NBC4 in 2022 the partnership had been on the city's radar before the COVID-19 pandemic. For Columbus to grow as an attractive city for businesses to relocate and for individuals to want to raise their families, Brown said they needed these initiatives to reflect the diverse population.
Brown cited a National LGBT Chamber of Commerce study that found LGBTQ-owned businesses have generated $1.7 trillion for the U.S. economy, created 33,000 jobs, and increased $2 million in annual revenue.
'[Columbus] is not capturing a tremendous growth opportunity for our community,' Brown said at the time. 'So, we want to be able to say, 'We see you, we value you, and we want to partner with you to continue to make our city great.' That's why it's important.'
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