January 26, 2010

Cincinnati NAACP

Media Release

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The Cincinnati NAACP President Christopher Smitherman congratulates Superintendent Mary Ronan on her initial recommendations to improve African American participation in building Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS).  Also, the Cincinnati NAACP acknowledges that the Cincinnati School Board as a group understands the magnitude of the economic apartheid Turner/DAG/TYS and consultants have engaged in over the last five years.  "African American contractors are not looking for a handout.  They do demand a fair and transparent process.  We are aware that majority companies are sharing bids with sub-contractors to block African American participation.  This is corruption.  Economics is the next civil rights frontier and our contractors and workers will no longer accept sitting at the back of the bus," Smitherman says.

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The Cincinnati NAACP looks forward to tomorrows meeting with the Superintendent and School Board Members.  The Cincinnati NAACP has requested that Turner/DAG/TYS or any consultants be present at the 5:00 pm meeting tomorrow at CPS Headquarter 2651 Burnet Avenue.  The goal is to give African American contractors an opportunity to share with the administration and the board how the construction system and culture works.  "The Cincinnati NAACP thanks Superintendent Mary Ronan for her leadership and the School Board for agreeing to the meeting.  The Cincinnati NAACP does not advise that the Superintendent spend anymore tax payer money on studies.  The current disparity study  However, Turner/DAG/TYS must be made to understand that business as usual is dead and we demand African American contractors and workers on the jobs now," Smitherman says. 

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