Do me a favor. Go to Google and Google "NAACP Columbus Ohio".

You will see a location and also a phone number. 

Call that number!

After you call that phone number, you realize a few things. For one, AT&T has a terrific message for when your unable to pay your bill.

The next is, what in the world is going on with the NAACP in Columbus, Ohio?

Ronda W. Barber, editor with OhioMBE, a publication printed bi-weekly advocating, informing, and promoting small and minority owned businesses, recently wrote an article about her experience with the NAACP. 

"Columbus didn't have its scheduled 2014 election," she wrote, "It appears the old tainted leadership whose terms have expired gangstered the branch and are now sending out a newsletter reporting on its activities. So much for the voice of the people and democracy in action."

In 2015, with all of the positive and, unfortunate, events in the city, the NAACP should have a presence.  If anything, the largest ever!  This is a letdown to all of the young men and women of color in the city who want to be involved with the NAACP. We are reminded of this everyday our local chapter continues to operate in the custom they are setting.

I speak for many when I say that it is time for the National Chapter of the NAACP to step in and assist in Columbus, as well as Cleveland and Cincinnati.  It is time that we put people who look forward to the responsibility in power, as opposed to those who just value the title.

Stay involved! Support local businesses!

For All Responses,
Please email [email protected]

Visit OhioMBE online at ohiombe.com

by Imanuel Larcher

One of the most historic victories for workers throughout the United States took place yesterday, as the city of Los Angeles, California, decided to raise the minimum wage from $9 to $15 an hour over the course of five years.  The rule requires companies with over 25 employees to comply over time in small increments until hitting $15 an hour by 2020. Smaller businesses would get an extra year to comply. The ordinance still must be signed into law by Democratic Mayor  Eric Garcetti, as he is expected to sign the ordinance by this weekend.

It wasn't too long ago that President Obama called on Congress to raise the national minimum wage, from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour, and soon after signed an Executive Order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 for the individuals working on new federal service contracts.  There is no question that families cannot raise a family on an income below $10 - $12 an hour, and there is a growing argument that $15 an hour should be the new norm.  

The White House released a report documenting the progress on raising the minimum wage, prepared by the National Economic Council, the Domestic Policy Council, the Office of Public Engagement, and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Council of Economic Advisers, and the Department of Labor.  They noted that, "Raising the minimum wage nationwide will increase earnings for millions of workers, and boost the bottom lines of businesses across the country. While Republicans in Congress continue to block the President's proposal, a number of state legislatures and governors, mayors and city councils, and business owners have answered the President’s call and raised wages for their residents and employees."

Moods and energies were at a high level in Los Angeles once the news broke.

“This is nothing short of historic. Historic for our city. Historic for the economic equality movement. And historic for full-time workers and their families who live on poverty wages. We couldn’t have done it without you. And we can’t thank you enough,” said Laphonza Butler and Rusty Hicks of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO in a joint written statement to USA Today.

Once signed into action by Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles will set an example throughout the World.