Franklin County Board of Commissioners
2025 State of the County Report

Diversity, Equity, & Inclsuion

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners remains deeply committed to advancing equity throughout our community. This commitment is rooted in the understanding that too many residents still face barriers to opportunity based on factors like zip code, race, religion, or family income. In Franklin County, a child’s future should not be predetermined by where they live or the resources of their household but by their potential, determination, and ideas. The commissioners recognize that closing long-standing gaps in health, education, housing, and economic opportunity requires more than good intentions. It takes deliberate, data-driven, and sustained action to remove systemic barriers and ensure that all residents have a fair shot at success.

Agency Partner: Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) strengthens communities and businesses by fostering economic growth and prosperity through strategic partnerships and targeted development initiatives. Rooted in the Franklin County Board of Commissioners’ (FCBOC) commitment to equity, ODEI operates on the principle that success should be shaped by a person’s character, determination, and ideas – not limited by their background, race, or socioeconomic status. Recognizing that good intentions alone cannot eliminate disparities, ODEI focuses on intentional, systematic, and forward-thinking action. This approach empowers communities to drive inclusive economic growth and create meaningful opportunities through transformative innovation.

Program Highlight: Transformative Programs & Initiatives

The Board of Commissioners’ investments extended to a variety of transformative programs in 2024, including:

  • Real Situations Teen Violence Prevention Program (May 2024) - Supported a 6-week summer basketball program for 14,000+ youth, providing furniture, shoes, school supplies, diapers, personal care items, transportation, scholarships, and essential household goods.
  • Buckeye Tigers Aerospace Career Education Academy (June 2024) - Funded a weeklong program for 27 minority students, offering hands-on experiences with partners such as The National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Flight Safety International, The Ohio National Guard, Capital City Aviation, and The Boeing Company to introduce careers in aviation and aerospace.
  • Columbus Council on World Affairs Global Scholars Diploma (June 2024) - Approved funding for a 3-year program serving 1,400 Franklin County high school students through cultural awareness workshops, global careers and issues training, and take-action projects with scholarship opportunities.
  • Columbus Fashion Council’s Ready to Werk Program (2024) - Supported 28 retail-ready entrepreneurs, enhancing Franklin County’s reputation as the third-largest fashion industry hub in the United States.
  • Freedom Equity Microloan Program (April 2024) - Approved up to $50,000 in total microloans for 80 minority-owned businesses with fewer than 50 employees, promoting small business growth and economic inclusion.
Transformative Programs & Initiatives Transformative Programs & Initiatives Transformative Programs & Initiatives

Despite being a small but mighty team, ODEI supports FCBOC’s 1,600+ employees through training, policy guidance, and best practices. The office actively participates in community partner events that celebrate Franklin County’s cultural diversity, champion economic impact, and strive to build a workforce that reflects the community it serves. ODEI remains dedicated to ensuring all residents have access to opportunities and that every voice is amplified.

In November 2020, the Board of Commissioners adopted Racial Equity as a core principle, reinforcing their commitment to fostering an inclusive organizational culture. This initiative focuses on addressing disparities in hiring, promotion, and contracting, while expanding funding opportunities for minority businesses. As a result, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) and the Racial Equity Council were established, with the Council now advancing into its fifth cohort.

The Racial Equity Council has played a critical role in driving ODEI initiatives by organizing impactful trainings, webinars, and community events such as the Pride March, the DEI Conference, and Soul Talks. In 2024, ODEI hosted training sessions on Implicit Bias, Cultural Fluency, and Inclusive Language – equipping staff with tools to create safe work environments and deliver inclusive services to Franklin County residents. Additionally, Civil Rights Tours to the South and New York provided immersive experiences in civil rights history, inspiring staff to take informed action and strengthen their leadership.

It is important that we as a community work to serve historically under resourced areas, those who are underrepresented, and continue to learn about and from one another. We are unable to change what makes us diverse, but we do have a choice of who we include in our lives and work to provide rights to those who have had none.

~ Damika Withers, Chief Economic Equity and Inclusion Officer

In 2024, ODEI expanded its educational outreach through bi-monthly Lunch & Learns, addressing crucial topics like Suicide Awareness, Black Business Month, and Refugee Week. These sessions garnered 9,433 views – reflecting a remarkable 558% increase from 2023. The momentum continued with ODEI’s 2nd Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference, held on October 22-23, 2024. Themed “Serving Through the Lens of Inclusion: Celebrating Differences and Building Inclusive Futures,” the event welcomed over 230 attendees and brought together 30 community partners. Keynote speakers included Ukeme Awakessien Jeter, Mayor of Upper Arlington, and Eva Millona, Chief Officer of the U.S. Office of Citizenship, Partnership, and Engagement. The conference focused on addressing the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities – including individuals with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, and people of color — while highlighting practical strategies to foster greater inclusion and equity across Franklin County.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Board of Commissioners demonstrated their unwavering commitment to equity by approving over $6 million in grant funding through ODEI. These funds support nonprofit organizations that assist small businesses with growth, entrepreneurship, education, and technical assistance. Separate from direct spending with Franklin County small businesses, this investment created opportunities in construction, helped businesses obtain certifications, and supported job creation and economic development. In 2024, the Board partnered with 63 community nonprofits focused on youth education, minority health, mental wellness, and specialized programs in Aerospace, Medical, and Tech education. Special recognition was given to Franklin County’s growing Latino community, celebrating their contributions and cultural impact.

Additionally, ODEI had a visible presence at numerous cultural events throughout Franklin County, including the Somali Cultural Festival, Asian Festival, Ohio Black Expo, UpLift Her, Black Men’s Wellness Day, Ghana Festival, Juneteenth, Pride, Black Food Truck Festival, Passport to Fashion, and National Pan-Hellenic Council of Columbus events. With ODEI’s support, these events reached over 1 million residents, connecting them with county resources, health education, and economic opportunities.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Agency Partner: Purchasing Department

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners remains steadfast in supporting small and minority-owned businesses through intentional supplier diversity efforts. The Purchasing Department, in partnership with ODEI, works to create an equitable economic environment where local businesses have the tools and resources to succeed.

In 2024, these efforts included targeted outreach events – such as Coffee & Conversation meetings, MBE Procurement Fairs, Ohio Minority Business panel discussions, and the annual ODEI conference – aimed at helping vendors navigate county partnership pathways, access small business loans, and obtain business certifications.

The Purchasing Team actively reviews contract scopes and requirements with an equity lens to remove unnecessary barriers for small and minority-owned businesses. Advertising has expanded beyond county and state websites to minority-owned media outlets, broadening the reach of bid and non-bid opportunities.

As a result, 536 Purchase Orders were awarded to small and emerging businesses in 2024, totaling $56,408,350 in direct payments from the Board of Commissioners – marking a 74% increase in direct spending with small businesses compared to 2023. Increasing supplier diversity utilization remains a top priority for all Board of Commissioners’ agencies, reinforcing Franklin County’s commitment to building a thriving, inclusive business community.

2024 Purchase Order Summary:

Total P.O.s SEBE P.O.s
6618 awarded 536 awarded
$516,262,234 $22,990,406

2023 / 2024 Comparison:

SEBE Expenditure 2023 2024 YoY Expenditure
Invoices $32,483,755 $56,408,350 74% Increase
P.O.s $22,691,555 $22,990,406 1% Increase
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

2024 SEBE P.O.s by Certification

2024 SEBE P.O.s by Certification

Grand Total:

$22,990,406

P.O.s.

536

Awardees.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

2024 SEBE Invoices by Certification

2024 SEBE Invoices by Certification

Grand Total:

$56,408,350

P.O.s.

5348

Awardees.

We’re working every day in Franklin County to ensure that DEI is part of our DNA so that we can best serve all of our residents in every part of our community.

~ Kenneth N. Wilson, County Administrator

NEXT CORE PRINCIPLE

Efficient, Responsive, & Fiscally Sustainable Government Operations