Franklin County awards grants to LGBTQ+ Pride, Fashion Alliance despite DEI rollbacks ...0

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Franklin County commissioners awarded three diversity, equity and inclusion-related grants this month, including funding for Columbus' LGBTQ+ Pride festival, as companies and institutions nationwide are rolling back DEI initiatives.

All three members of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 18 to grant $276,000 to Stonewall Columbus for year-round programming and this June's Pride festival and march; $1.4 million to the Columbus Fashion Alliance for its "Ready to Werk" workforce development program; and $25,000 to Besa Community for a volunteer program supporting small businesses.

Each grant was awarded through the board's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, charged with leading the DEI strategies and implementation for Franklin County. Last year, the office gave out about $10 million in grants, representing less than 1% of the county's $2 billion budget in 2024.

The awards come as Columbus-based Nationwide Insurance has joined other U.S. corporations, like Target and Amazon, in altering its diversity program after President Donald Trump's January executive order to investigate private companies with DEI initiatives. The administration has also told American universities to eliminate diversity programs or risk losing federal funding.

"There are those who believe that diversity, equity and inclusion is 'dead' or that we need to get rid of it ... this could not be more timely," said Commissioner Kevin Boyce during the meeting, referring to Stonewall's grant. "Hopefully, this year's Pride festival is representative of the time. Meaning that, let's see who's with us, and who's a part of this conversation around inclusivity." Learn more about Columbus Pride in the video player above.

Stonewall's grant marked an increase for the LGBTQ+ organization, which was provided $50,000 from county commissioners last year. Along with helping to put on the festival and march, the grant aids in funding initiatives that "address critical needs and enhance the life for LGBTQ+ residents," like wellness and health programming, job training, parenting workshops and various counseling.

Densil Porteous, Stonewall's executive director, noted during the meeting that the organization's festival and march costs about $600,000 to put on each year, given Columbus Pride is one of the largest in the country. Porteous said the grant is a testament to "this county's commitment to every person, no matter who they are and who they love."

"Pride is more than a festival, it's a powerful moment for visibility, resilience and connection for the LGBTQ community," said Porteous. "It's also a major economic driver for Franklin County, bringing visitors from across the country and the globe; generating local businesses revenue and reinforcing Columbus' representation, and Franklin County's, as a welcoming and vibrant community."

Columbus Fashion Alliance's grant aids in funding the organization's six-month "Ready to Werk" program, designed to instruct 28 participants in retail and entrepreneurial readiness. The program is one of several initiatives the alliance puts on to support the growth of fashioned-based businesses within Franklin County.

Yohannan Terrell, founder of the alliance, said during the meeting that Columbus is the third largest fashion "ecosystem" in the nation, behind New York and Los Angeles. Terrell argued the program casts "a wide net to a lot of underserved communities" by providing participants a pathway to working in Columbus retail for brands like Abercrombie and Fitch, DSW and Limited Too.

"For those who haven't had access into the fashion industry but have always had a dream of getting into the fashion industry, here's a program that we created in partnership with the county to help you learn about it, to help you learn all the skills that you need to be successful in it," said Terrell.

Besa Community's grant will aid in funding the organization's "Besa Collective" program, which provides small businesses opportunities for their employees to take part in volunteer work. Each participating business is put into a "collective" with up to four other local businesses, enabling owners to foster a work culture of giving back that is meant to strengthen employee retention.

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