Shannon G. Hardin

Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin serves as the Chair of the Rules and Reference Committee which oversees the approval and placement of legislation on the agenda, Columbus City Code changes, and appointments.

As former Chair of the Small and Minority Business Development Committee, Council President Hardin established partnerships around Columbus to connect small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities, with the training and capital that they need to thrive. He collaborated with Mayor Ginther to create the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to more effectively assist minority and women-owned businesses.

Prior to joining Council, Council President Shannon Hardin served as the External Affairs Manager, LGBTQ liaison, and was on the Religious Advisory Commission for the Office of Mayor Michael B. Coleman. In these positions Council President Hardin provided a strong voice for the community in city government and working with Columbus City Council to ensure that the city earned a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index. In addition to creating a more queer-inclusive city, Councilmember Hardin developed programs around violence intervention ( APPS), African-American wellness ( AAMI), and anti-recidivism ( Restoration Academy). 

Council President Hardin serves on the boards of the Joint Columbus and Franklin County Housing Advisory Board as well as the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. Hardin has been recognized by Columbus Alive as a person to watch, Columbus CEO as an Up and Comer, by City Pulse as a Young Professional to Know, and by Who’s Who in Black Columbus as an Interesting Personality of 2014. He is also a member of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.

Council President Hardin earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College after studying abroad in Nairobi, Kenya. Born and raised on the south side of Columbus, Council President Hardin is a proud member of the Mount Olivet Baptist Church.