Group Calls on Cleveland to End Race-Based Contract Programs
2nd June 2026
The Center Square—A nonprofit, Ohio-based think tank is demanding that Cleveland end what the organization calls its race-based contracting programs, saying they are “unconstitutional and discriminatory.”
“It has now been more than a year since the city of Cleveland publicly recognized that it must abandon its unconstitutional race-based programs,” David C. Tryon, director of litigation at the Buckeye Institute, wrote in a recent letter to Cleveland. “Failure to end these discriminatory programs leaves the city open to legal action, and The Buckeye Institute stands ready to assist any individual or business denied access to any contracting opportunities based on race.”
Cleveland has several programs that include race requirements for contractors who want to do business with the city, according to the Buckeye Institute.
One of those is the Minority Business Enterprise program, the institute said.
The program certifies companies based on the race of the owners, the institute said.
“Cleveland awards race-certified MBEs a 5% race-based bid discount when evaluating contract bids,” the institute said in a news release.
There’s that White Privilege again.