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Minority Business Panel Addresses Relevant Concerns
By Tricia Hall
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
Dozens of local business owners and entrepreneurs attended
the Ohio Minority Business Panel on Friday, November 1, 2019
at Mott Branch Library. The panel was co-hosted by Ohio
Secretary of State Frank LaRose and the Toledo Lucas County
Library.
The panel included Linda Fayerweather, Toledo Lucas County
Public Library specialist librarian of Business and
Workforce Department; Olivia Holden, executive director of
ASSETS Toledo; Lisa Washington, Northwest Ohio Regional
Outreach Manager of Ohio Department of Transportation;
Lenora McIntyre, operations manager of Ohio Minority
Business Assistance Centers; Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of
State and facilitator Monique Cox-Moore, director of
Community Engagement and Initiatives for Ohio Secretary of
State.
Attendees were encouraged to submit questions to the panel
directly or ask questions during the two networking
sessions. LaRosa explained the rationale for organizing
these panels in Ohio. “At these roundtables, connections can
be made in the room. There are community leaders doing the
work here. Our office now has a list that we provide to
those who want to start businesses. I also encourage you to
get to know your state representatives, they should be
accessible because they represent you.”
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There was a question submitted that focused on nonprofits
and available resources. “LISC and Northwest Ohio Regional
Economic Development are just two agencies that come to
mind. These agencies support nonprofits. I encourage you to
research opportunity zones, upcoming trends, and compose
ideas that agencies are interested in developing,” said
Washington.
Current business owners asked questions about cross
certification across multiple government offices,
re-certification requirements, and minority business
enterprise certification.
“You are correct cross re-certification does not exist,
because these programs and departments may operate in silos.
You shouldn’t have to waste time on bureaucracy, instead of
growing your business. Unfortunately, government does not
communicate well, and I understand your frustration with
filling out form after form that’s requesting the same
information. We must fix this, which is why we’re convening
these panels. This is a complex issue, but we must do it.
Our website has improved over the past few years and there
is a customer service hotline. The talented individuals that
answer the phones are great at answering questions quickly.
The purpose of the Ohio’s Minority Business Enterprise
program is to uplift our minority business owners and
address challenges like preventing fraud,” said LaRose.
The Minority Business panel has completed three additional
panels in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati before Toledo.
There are additional panels planned in other cities. “I want
to thank the library for their partnership. My goal
following this panel is to make sure that we’re busy, and
that interested minority businesses complete their
applications. We can’t solve every problem today, but we
know there is work to do. I am here to learn and admire the
entrepreneur spirit,” explained LaRose during closing
remarks.
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