Photo Courtesy: Marlon Platt

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus business owner, Capital University graduate, and activist Marlon Platt says he wants to be part of the solution. He created what he calls the "Five Point Black Agenda,” addressing concerns in the Black community after the coronavirus pandemic and months of protests.

“I think protests are great. I think they're a great starting point. The point of a protest is to raise awareness, but if you don't have a plan of action after that, then you're pretty much just protesting until you get tired of protesting and nothing will change,” said Platt. 


What You Need To Know


  • For decades, racism has played a role in the position of Black people in society

  • A Columbus businessman is trying to change that narrative and hopes to organize resources for people of color to thrive in the community 

  • Marlon Platt is the founder of Marlon Anthony Events and co-owner of Our Bar and Longe 

Platt recently shared some of his ideas for solutions with Columbus CEO magazine and has been advocating for change within communities of color ever since.

“Creating economic stability through wealth, politics, so civic engagement, educating ourselves. Three is buying back the block, as I coined the term, taking control of our neighborhoods that people are coming in and gentrifying and essentially kicking us out,” said Platt. 

In addition, Platt says controlling the national media narrative is key. 

And more emphasis is needed on the people who are doing the right things to bring about change, instead of magnifying the protestors who resort to violence. 

“We're forced to watch things like CNN and FOX, where they're telling the story about us, for us, to us, and really taking control of our own media platforms. And lastly, just education —educating ourselves in a way that we can apply useful everyday life skills to circle back around and create jobs,” said Platt. 

Platt says he was hesitant at first in sharing his ideas and doesn't consider himself to be a political person. But he hopes to use his voice and standing as a businessman to continue the conversation with community and political leaders with regard to closing the wealth gap.

“We're connected to a lot of our city officials and there are things that we can do locally like organizing, educating ourselves, and educating our families to work together. I would like to be the person that connects people to those resources and shares that information within our community,” said Platt.