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CCS Board Member to Receive OhioMBE Publisher’s Award
October 27, 2021 -- Congratulations to Columbus City Schools Board of Education member James C. Ragland on being selected for the OhioMBE Publisher's Award.
The award, given by Ohio's largest Black-owned business newspaper, recognizes Ohio's top small businesses and their advocates and identifies those with a targeted commitment to Ohio's Black-owned businesses.
Ragland has spent his life fighting to protect and serve the less fortunate. He has served the Columbus community as an educator, public servant, school development officer, and advocate for minority and small businesses. He is an accomplished administrator who leverages his extensive background and leadership skills in governmental affairs, education, social services and community development, youth development, and fundraising.
“As a small business owner, I openly support increasing the participation of local and minority businesses that contract with Columbus City Schools,'' said Columbus Board of Education member James C. Ragland. “The more we empower local businesses to grow, we can help increase the number of our parents and residents who have living wage jobs with health care and stable housing. Thank you to the Ohio MBE for partnering with us in this lofty goal.”
Ragland is one of two people earning the award in 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, OhioMBE Awards decided to honor both the 2020 and 2021 recipients during this year’s OhioMBE networking luncheon on October 28.
“Mr. Ragland was selected because of his advocacy for the quality education for Black children in Ohio’s largest public school district. Board Member Ragland is a vocal supporter of Columbus City Schools making purchases from LEDE and Black vendors,” according to the OhioMBE Awards.
Ragland is a graduate of Columbus City Schools’ Fort Hayes Arts & Academics, and Bowling Green State University. He was appointed to the Columbus Board of Education in December 2018 and re-elected in January 2020.
Thank you for all you do for our community! Learn more at OhioMBEAwards.com.