Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) to enter into a grant agreement with the State of Ohio Collective, a not-for-profit Internal Revenue Code (IRC) 501(c)(3) entity, in an amount up to $100,000.00 to support The Ohio Black Expo (OBE) and other programming.
The Ohio Black Expo (OBE) in partnership with the Ohio NAACP Conference of Branches and the State of Ohio Collective will host the Ohio Black Expo Riverfront Culture Fest. This cultural celebration seeks to inspire thousands of Black citizens, families, entrepreneurs, and small businesses across the state who are seeking to celebrate Black culture. This innovative, one of a kind statewide gathering leverages multiple businesses, partnerships, seminars, and events to educate and inspire by showcasing Black excellence. It is through this effort and year-round programming that the partnership works to improve the quality of life for Ohio’s citizens with several initiatives designed to address areas that are key to the success and well-being of African Americans in Ohio. OBE is statewide humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Ohio’s African American citizens, by establishing and encouraging an independent self-help approach to problem solving.
Events will include: small business, wellness, veterans, and senior workshops and resources; the Riverfront Culture Fest (a multi-generational cultural celebration at Genoa Park); the State of Black Ohio (a series of racial equity focused panel discussions exploring solutions to crucial current issues in the areas of economic development, education, health, and housing); and the Youth & College Build Black Better Sessions (business sessions focused on black businesses, wealth, capacity building, and organizational sustainability).
Other initiatives around workforce development that will be supported include the Dream Path program, where experienced educators and counselors...
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