The 2021 Power 100: Here are Columbus’ most influential leaders, Part 3

Courtesy of Columbus Business First
By Doug Buchanan
May 3, 2021

In what is now an annual tradition, Columbus Business First this week is identifying the 100 people making the most impact on the region during a time of tremendous upheaval as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is the third edition of the Power 100 and, while many community and business stalwarts have made the list each year, we’ve made some changes to the lineup for 2021 to reflect the region’s push for greater diversity, equity and inclusion across all neighborhoods and social classes.

We’ll be unveiling the updated Power 100 in groups of 20 each day this week. The full Power 100 will be published in a special issue of the paper on June 25.

The Power 100 is not a ranking and the rollout order is random.

Stephanie Hightower, President and CEO, Columbus Urban League

Stephanie Hightower is at the center of the community’s strides toward racial justice through her leadership of the Columbus Urban League. Hightower’s organization is leading the way when it comes to supporting the Black community, from partnering with the Columbus Chamber to increase sales at Black-owned businesses, to awarding more than $8 million in grants and working capital to more than 4,000 minority- and women-owned businesses during Covid-19. Hightower is the eighth president and the first woman to lead the 100-year-old organization that strives to provide equal and equitable access to community resources.