CLEVELAND — Reverend Al Sharpton was in Cleveland on Tuesday to lead a protest regarding the construction of Sherwin-Williams' new global headquarters.
The protest, which began at 11 a.m., called for a Black-owned firm to be a key partner on the Cleveland-based company's global headquarters project. Dr. Charles Steele, the president and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) is also advertised to attend the protest.
"Urge the Mayor and the City Council to show the public where taxpayer dollars are being spent on the construction of The Sherwin-Williams Company's new global headquarters," the flyer for the protest reads. "Black-owned firm should be named key partner with major managerial responsibilities and higher earning potential."
On Tuesday, Sharpton called for a seat at the table for Black contractors, adding that political power without economic power will not last.
"I think that they need to make sure that anytime tax payer dollars are used, that they listen to all segments of the community, and make sure that people that are genuinely owning the businesses in those communities are given part of the general contract, not the little pieces," Sharpton said. "And we all need to make sure that it's fair. I think that when you see people like me and other national leaders coming to support our chapters, all we're asking for is fairness, and that they don't duck the issues. Why would we not be at the table if you're using public funds?"
In July, another famous prominent civil rights leader, Rev. Jesse Jackson, came to Cleveland in support of the cause.
“I am absolutely supportive of this campaign,” Jackson said in a release following a speaking engagement at the Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church at 1161 East 105th Street. “All sides must get back to the table to resolve this issue. It is in the best interest of Cleveland to meet with the SCLC.”
The dispute between Sherwin-Williams and the BCG dates back to 2020, after the company announced plans to build a 36-story office tower that will be located in downtown and a research and development center in Brecksville. The Black Contractors Group (BCG) and SCLC say they met with Sherwin-Williams and received what they believed was a commitment for a Black-owned firm to join the team of nine key partners, only to have the company walk away from those negotiations.
Sherwin-Williams says no special agreement was made with the Black Contractors Group.
Following Jackson's appearance in Cleveland, Sherwin-Williams Vice President of Global Corporate Communications, Julie Young, released a statement that read, in part:
"The actions and results from Sherwin-Williams deliberate approach to promoting economic equity on the Building our Future project speaks volumes. Our thoughtful and consistent approach to providing opportunities for businesses owned by underrepresented groups to participate in this project has already and continues to deliver an extensive list of impressive accomplishments which we expect to grow. It is unfortunate that some are using their personal agendas and animosities to drive a false narrative and cloud the positive impact the Building Our Future project is making on the Cleveland community now and for years to come."
Sherwin-Williams has broken ground on both their new downtown Cleveland headquarters and the Brecksville research and development center. Both facilities are slated to be completed in late 2024.
3News' Dave "Dino" DeNatale contributed to this report.