Staff Report On Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025, my legislative colleagues and I returned to the Gold Dome for Legislative Day
By Janell Williams Community leaders held a press conference ahead of Tuesday's Columbus City Council meeting, urging Mayor
A town hall meeting at St. Paul AMA Church Monday evening was a call for unity. In a time of
In a time when leadership and accountability are more critical than ever, the community cannot help but notice when certain public figures fail to engage with the people they claim to represent. Time and again, we see individuals who claim to stand for Black and Brown communities but remain absent when it truly matters. They attend carefully curated events, shielded by the safety of city council meetings, yet when it comes to real grassroots engagement, they are nowhere to be found.
Take, for example, Byron Hickey and Toyia Tucker. These individuals often present themselves as advocates for the Black community, yet their absence at critical community meetings and events tells a different story. They were invited to the most recent town hall meeting—an opportunity to face their constituents, listen to concerns, and engage in meaningful dialogue. But did they attend? No. Their refusal to stand before the people raises serious questions about their true commitment.
It is easy to speak from a place of comfort, like Facebook live, to issue statements that sound good on paper, and to make emotional appeals when safely distanced from direct questioning. However, real leadership requires more. It requires being present, listening to the people, and standing firm even in uncomfortable situations. Public figures cannot claim to champion the Black community while simultaneously avoiding genuine interaction with it.
If you are truly for the people, you must be among them. Show up at community gatherings, stand face-to-face with constituents, and answer the tough questions. Leadership is not just about words—it is about action. Hiding behind city council meetings and orchestrated events only erodes trust and reinforces the belief that some so-called advocates are more concerned with appearances than actual service.
The people deserve better. The time for performative activism is over. It is time for true engagement, accountability, and leadership that does not shy away when the heat is turned up. If you claim to be for the community, then prove it—show up, listen, and stand strong with the people you serve.
