Akron Council approves $150,000 commitment to Black Chamber of Commerce over three years

Akron City Council on Monday approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to contract with the Black Chamber of Commerce Summit County to provide economic and neighborhood development, marketing and promotional services.

The council suspended the rules to move the ordinance forward and then voted 13-0 to approve the measure. The committee reported that the city’s commitment would total $150,000 over a three-year period.

The ordinance was offered by Councilman Anthony Fusco. A committee representative told council the Black Chamber’s work is intended to support job creation, investment and the retention and expansion of existing companies in Akron. “This is a commitment of $150,000 over a 3 year time frame,” the committee representative said. The speaker added that the Black Chamber works with partners including the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, Akron Urban League, Bounce Innovation, the Western Reserve Community Fund and Summit County.

The committee’s presentation also referenced public remarks made earlier by Black Chamber representatives, including Robert de Jernett and Misty Beasley, who described the organization’s mission to develop, empower, promote and support Black-owned businesses.

Council President Margo Somerville announced the final vote and declared the ordinance passed 13 to 0.

The ordinance authorizes the mayor or the mayor’s designee to enter into the contract; details about the contract term, performance metrics, or specific deliverables beyond the three-year, $150,000 commitment were not specified in the council remarks.

Council members placed the ordinance on the agenda as an emergency measure and gave it final passage the same night. The council did not record individual roll-call votes on the ordinance in the public transcript beyond the overall 13-0 tally.