Owner of Akron barber college believes denial of funding is driven by racial and political motives.

At-Large Councilman-elect Eric Garrett from Akron recently received a letter from Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan denying the funding for his Beyond Expectations Barber College. According to The Akron Beacon Journal, the mayor stated the denial was to avoid the “perception of impropriety” and raised concerns about the sustainability of Garrett's businesses.

Council President Margo Sommerville requested an explanation after City Council heard from students asking why the funds were blocked to defray tuition costs for students attending the Black-owned barber college. Garrett pointed out that the amount requested was less than 10% of the college’s operating cost and argued that the critique was “just an attempt to smear and deflect from the real issue at hand,” which was to help the students. He went on to say that no one questions the caucasian leadership of the University of Akron or Stark State when they receive grant funding.

Horrigan responded by saying that Garrett had received $185,250 in total funding support over the past five years and that the goal of the grant was to create “self-sustaining small businesses”. He went on to say that this creates a problem when a business is too reliant on fund money.

Garrett was disappointed that the funding was denied but remained positive. He told the students to “lift their heads up because they’ve already won” regardless of the grant money they received. His only concern was to help the students succeed.

The outcome of this story is yet to be seen, but it has sparked a conversation about the fairness of funding decisions and whether or not political and racial reasons are playing a role.

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