In the end, we believe that Representative Williams made the right move and that the Republican dominated Apportionment Board acted wisely in listening to the legislator.

Last Friday, the Ohio Apportionment Board met in an emergency session and swapped two of the three House districts that compose the 21^st and 25^th Senate district.

That moves the district with the majority Black voting population from the 25^th District seat held by Sen. Nina Turner back to the 21^st District seat held by Sen. Shirley Smith – both African-American Cleveland Democrats.

At issue, was if the 21^st Senate district (formed in 1967 to insure minority representation in the state house) would historically remain a predominately Black district.

We applaud the Republicans sitting on the Apportionment Board for making this decision that will insure the legacy of the 21^st Senate district.

We also must commend Representative Sandra Williams for flexing her political muscle in fighting for this critical matter of representation in Columbus.

At a time when Black residents are moving out of Cleveland, it is imperative that our voices are head in Columbus.

By adopting this plan, we can all rest easier knowing that our clout and voices will not be diminished.

With the change approved on Friday, the 21^st District will stay as it was with about 55 percent Black voters while the 25^th, which now stretches along Lake Erie into Lake County, is 36 percent Black.

To be sure, Representative Williams may come under fire for her audacious move.  However, making difficult choices and decisions comes with the territory of being a politician.

In the end, we believe that Representative Williams made the right move and that the Republican dominated Apportionment Board acted wisely in listening to the legislator.