The Columbus LGBTQ+ Affairs Commission recently met to discuss goals, priorities, and the concerns of the community it represents. Good. That's what organized voices are supposed to do. But it raises a serious question. Where is the organized voice for Black Columbus? Not election season voices. Not press conference voices. Not Black History Month voices. A permanent voice. Who tracks whether Black children are reading at grade level? Who tracks Black homeownership? Who tracks Black business growth? Who tracks violence affecting Black neighborhoods? Who publishes a report card on promises made and results delivered? Who has the authority to walk into City Hall, Columbus City Schools, Franklin County, hospitals, developers, and major employers and demand answers? And if that organization already exists, where are the goals? Where are the measurements? Where are the scorecards? Where are the public meetings? Because every community deserves more than symbolic representation. Every community deserves…

Over the next several months, candidates will tell us why they deserve our vote. They'll talk about growth. They'll talk about economic development. They'll talk about progress. Before Columbus residents hand over another vote, let's talk about results. Columbus has grown. The question is: who has benefited? Why are housing costs climbing faster than wages? Why are schools cutting positions while students continue to struggle academically? Why are neighborhoods still fighting violence, youth disengagement, and lack of opportunity? Why do residents continue to feel disconnected from decisions that directly impact their communities? Why are homelessness, mental health, and basic city services constantly competing for funding in a city that keeps announcing record investments and new developments? Every candidate seeking the mayor's office should answer these questions. And if you're already holding office, you should answer them first. The Black Wall isn't interested in campaign slogans. We're interested in outcomes. We're…

Columbus City Schools is warning that a proposed state law could force the sale or lease of school buildings operating below 60% enrollment. Here's the question nobody seems to be asking. Why does every solution seem to move public assets away from public control? A school building is more than classrooms. It's often one of the largest public investments in a neighborhood. It's where community meetings happen. It's where youth programs operate. It's where families gather. Once those buildings are sold, leased, or transferred, communities may never get them back. Supporters say the bill will put underused buildings back into service. Maybe. But who gets first access? Charter schools? Private schools? Developers? Organizations receiving public incentives and tax abatements? Columbus residents have watched public schools lose funding, lose enrollment, close buildings, and then lose control of valuable community assets. At some point, people have a right to ask whether we're…

This is not a victim post. This is not an excuse post. This is a receipts post. Black Americans make up roughly 14% of the U.S. population, yet Black households hold only 4.7% of the nation's wealth. The median Black household has approximately $24,500 in wealth compared to approximately $250,000 for White households. That's about ten cents on the dollar. The median Black household today has roughly $44,000 in net worth compared to more than $284,000 for the median White household. In other words, the typical Black family possesses about 15 cents of wealth for every dollar held by the typical White family. Black homeownership remains around 44%, while White homeownership remains above 72%. More than seven out of ten White families own their homes. Fewer than five out of ten Black families do. Median Black household income was approximately $56,000 compared to approximately $88,000 for White households. So let's…