Norm Edwards and the American Center For Economic Equality are working with Ohio Governor John Kasich and U.S. Congresswoman Marcia Fudge to raise federal minority numbers.

Kasich and Fudge sent letters to the U.S. Department of Transportation asking to increase minority numbers right now. 

"Now if we can get the Governor's staff to implement what they have asked for we will be in great shape," Norman Edwards adds.

19 Action News cameras dropped by ODOT's I-77 bridge project in Cleveland this week and only saw white workers. 

Back in 2011 at the construction site of the Medical Mart a Scott Taylor investigation uncovered 19% minority participation.

ODOT declined to give 19 Action News an on camera interview about their disparity issue.  They did offer up State Representative Bill Patman, but our Scott Taylor tracked down ODOT Director Jerry Wray at an Opportunity Corridor Project presentation in Cleveland.

"It's only 6%, Director, out of a majority of African Americans in Cleveland.  Are you happy with that number?" asks Reporter Scott Taylor.

ODOT Director Jerry Wray says, "I'm not happy with those numbers.  That is why I am here.  We want to do better and it's our intention to do better."

This is Director Wray's second shot at doing better. He was ODOT's Director from 1991 to 1999. 

Scott Taylor asks, "Is that an embarrassing number 6 %?"

Director Wray answers, "From the stand point it's not embarrassing because we haven't done anything wrong.  It is embarrassing and unacceptable because we would like to have a higher number."

ODOT will be holding a workshop for Minority Contractors in July. 

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/25890010/low-number-of-minority-contractors-working-on-odot-projects