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© 2015 Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 All rights reserved Electronic copies of The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities are available in PDF file on our website, gcul.org. THE STATE OF BLACK CINCINNATI 2015: TWO CITIES

A subsidiary of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio

Table of Contents

Foreword i

Executive Summary v

Economics Income inequality prevents economic self-sufficiency, mobility 2 How to compute labor statistics 10 Regional growth out-pacing inclusion of black-owned business 12 Acme Wrecking’s history provides lessons in savvy, excellence 24

Health Social inequities complicate racial health disparities 28 Seeing public health in context of poor housing, other social ills 30 People most affected by disparities in health must lead corrective effort 56 Affordable Care Act will work if newly insured focus on prevention 60

Education Cincinnati Public Schools must help black students move beyond dream 64 Black students at greater risk for suspension, expulsion 71 Quality education, care before age 6 set foundation for success 79

Housing Housing segregation isolates blacks in poor, high-crime neighborhoods 86 Criminal Justice Justice system’s dependence on jail, lifelong sanctions harm community 94 Ending over-incarceration trend will improve black neighborhoods 98 Returning citizens earn 40% less than before they went to prison 105

Inclusion Do terms `inclusive,’ `conservative’ mix, offer hope to African-Americans? 108 Authentic inclusion not yet achieved in corporate Cincinnati 113 Unprecedented organization, unity needed to move community ahead 116 The blueprint for inclusion: City’s vitality depends on valuing all 121 Inclusion survey results 125

About the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio History and programs 134 Board of Trustees 137 Advisory Board 140 A call to action 143 Current members of Guiding Coalition 145 Acknowledgements 149 “…racial disparities in employment, earnings, housing, safety, and inclusion hold back masses of African-Americans.”

FOREWORD Many black Cincinnatians remain second-class citizens

More than 50 years since the historic The National Urban League stunned 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Greater Cincinnati by announcing in Freedom, too many African-Americans — July 2002 the move of its 2003 national nationally and in Cincinnati — continue conference from the city. At the time, to struggle, lagging far behind whites Cincinnati still reeled from violence that economically and socially. had torn it black from white. Police- community relations were brittle and Twenty years have passed since the Urban tense. The U.S. Department of Justice League of Greater Cincinnati published its had conducted investigations around last comprehensive report, “The State of patterns and practices of excessive force in Black Cincinnati: A Framework for Action,” Cincinnati’s police department. in August 1995. Among its findings: half of black males 18-24 years of age were Through the now-hailed Collaborative unemployed, and 1 in 3 black students did Agreement, the City of Cincinnati, its police not graduate from high school on time. Still, department, committed African-American the report sounded a somewhat optimistic and white community leaders, the Greater tone, citing how social systems and laws Cincinnati Foundation, family foundations, were in place “to address these concerns and large companies went through the and…bring about necessary change.” agonizing process of holding a mirror to themselves. They saw racial disparities. These Some major change did come, but at a high leaders wanted to improve race relations and price, in the previous two decades. address racial inequity by addressing both ii The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities their symptoms and causes. They worked to In 2006, a group of leaders from many heal the city through an overarching process areas came together with one goal in mind: called Better Together Cincinnati. to improve academic success in the urban core of Greater Cincinnati. That effort is Through the Collaborative Agreement and called the Strive Partnership, and its tagline Better Together Cincinnati, police reforms reveals its goal: “Every Child, Every Step came to pass: The community began to have of the Way, Cradle to Career.” Among its a say in how neighborhoods are policed. The five-year achievements were a 9-percent Community-Police Partnering Center – part improvement in kindergarten readiness of the Greater Cincinnati Urban League — and 10-percent growth in the high school now helps residents identify problems and graduation rate. develop neighborhood-based solutions with the police. In 2011, United Way of Greater Cincinnati — in collaboration with organization partners in Other reforms built on positive energy created human services, health care, and education by improved police-community relations. — announced what it calls “bold goals” for the community to reach by 2020. These goals In 2003, the Minority Business zeroed in on decreasing poverty, increasing Accelerator was established as result student performance in public schools, and of recommendations of the Cincinnati reducing barriers to good health by focusing Community Action Now Commission. funding to member agencies whose programs Focused on reducing disparity in the region’s focus on these issues. business community, the accelerator drives economic activity for African-American and Still, most notable of these civic Hispanic-owned companies and increases accomplishments is Cincinnati police employment in the region’s underemployed reforms. Political and civic leaders and areas. Three-dozen Goal Setter businesses police credited the Collaborative Agreement and nonprofits in the larger community for helping Cincinnati keep the peace in spent more than $1 billion with minority the heat of this summer. Tensions stirred companies in 2013, most in program history. following the July 19 shooting death of an

Foreword iii unarmed black motorist, Samuel DuBose, painfully slow in reaching the nation’s black during a traffic stop by a white University of communities, where unemployment rates Cincinnati Police officer. remain more than double that of whites. Student performance in predominantly black Less than a year earlier, in August 2014, schools still is not equal to that in schools the agreement earned national praise, when with a majority of white students. protests and violence rocked Ferguson, Missouri, in wake of the shooting of an The Greater Cincinnati Urban League’s unarmed black man, Michael Brown, by a “The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: white police officer. A string of these types Two Cities,” commands urgent attention. of incidents nationally — involving Trayvon Disproportionately high numbers of African- Martin in Sanford, Florida; John Crawford III Americans live lives of quiet desperation in a Walmart store in the Dayton, Ohio, suburb on society’s margins here, voiceless, of Beavercreek; Eric Garner in Staten Island; isolated in dangerous, unhealthy, and poor and Walter L. Scott in North Charleston, South communities. So much work remains. Carolina — illustrate how African-Americans still live largely in a country that is separate, All citizens, regardless of color or economic unequal, and sometimes hostile. standing, should be concerned. Cincinnati and the Tristate region will not fulfill their While Cincinnati police reforms and other long-term promise as desirable places to collaborations to improve social conditions live and do business unless these economic have moved the community forward, racial and social gaps between black and white are disparities in employment, earnings, housing, significantly closed. safety, health, and inclusion hold back masses of African-Americans in Greater Cincinnati. O’dell M. Owens, President, Cincinnati State Recovery from the Great Recession is Technical and Community College

iv The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities “…we recognize that a crisis exists that needs attention.”

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Donna Jones Baker President and CEO Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio City’s progress has only masked racial disparities, not solved them

By Donna Jones Baker of minority-owned businesses per 1,000 residents, at 6.9. The peer city average In its 2014 “State of Black America” report, is 11.9. Austin, Texas, has 22.2 minority- the National Urban League ranked 77 owned businesses per 1,000 residents, and metropolitan areas across the United States Raleigh, North Carolina, comes in at 18.8. by comparing median household income for Page 17. whites and African-Americans. Life expectancy: In the city of Cincinnati, Greater Cincinnati came in near the bottom, African-American men live an average of at number 73. Median black household was 63.8 years, exactly 10 years less than white $24,272, compared to $57,481 for whites. men. Black women live an average of 72.4 years, white women 79 years. Overall, rates Yet this single measure only begins to tell of diseases and conditions ranging from the story of racial disparity in the region diabetes and cancer to high blood pressure and the city of Cincinnati. and hypertension are significantly higher for African-Americans in Cincinnati. Pages Poverty: Of the almost 14,000 families living 31, 48. in poverty in the city of Cincinnati from 2005-2009, 76 percent of them were African- Infant mortality: In the city, 12.6 black American. Page 7. children per 1,000 live births die before the age of 1 year, compared to 6.1 for white Minority-owned businesses: Cincinnati babies. In Hamilton County, the number stands behind peer cities in the number is dire: the infant mortality rate for black vi The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities babies is 18.4, compared to 5.5 for whites. Mass incarceration: Though only 12.5 Pages 33, 50. percent of Ohio’s population, African- Americans make up more than 45 percent of Where you live: People living in low-income, the state’s incarcerated people. Page 100. predominantly black city neighborhoods have shorter average life spans than residents of Unemployment: Rates for both African- affluent, predominantly white communities. Americans and white Americans continue to For example, the life expectancy in Avondale fall since the height of the Great Recession. is 68.2 years, as opposed to 85.9 years in Still, while the 2014 National Urban League Mount Lookout. The overall city average is report showed a 7.1-percent unemployment 76.7 years. Pages 33, 48. rate for whites in Greater Cincinnati, the black rate stood at 17.1 percent. The overall Education: Of Cincinnati Public Schools unemployment rate in Cincinnati has fallen 33,000 students, 63 percent are African- to 4.3 percent, yet it remains in double-digits American, and 73.4 percent of black students for African-Americans. Page 109. come from economically disadvantaged families. Page 65. This staggering list of numbers might come as a surprise to many Cincinnati and Child poverty: While the overall child regional residents. After all, the city is poverty rate for children under 6 in undergoing a building boon at The Banks Cincinnati is an abhorrent 52 percent — one Downtown and redevelopment renaissance of the highest rates for major American cities in Over-the-Rhine. — it is an unconscionable 74 percent for its youngest African-American citizens. Page 83. Yet, in the case of the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, crime and poverty have not Home ownership: The rate in 15-county been solved — just pushed west into the Greater Cincinnati is 74.5 percent for whites neighborhoods of East Price Hill, North and but 33.1 percent for African-Americans. South Fairmount and Westwood, locations Page 90. of affordable housing. And while The Banks

Executive Summary vii has created singular regional attractions, forth an exhaustive examination of the entertainment, restaurants, and housing community. We need to understand our options, they are largely out of the reach strengths and weaknesses, and we are economically for many African-Americans. It’s confident that “Two Cities” reveals the true as if black citizens live in a separate Cincinnati. state of our community. And it’s from this phenomenon that the Greater Cincinnati Urban League takes the When we look at an unemployment rate of name for this comprehensive report, “The State 17.1 percent for African-Americans within of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities.” the city, we recognize that a crisis exists that needs attention. Few, if any, Americans Sadly, many white citizens – especially considered an unemployment rate of more those living or working in the suburbs – do than 5 percent acceptable during the Great not see our urban neighborhoods. They Recession of 2007–2009. Yet the black are not aware of the positive people and community here has historically bore the energy that exist here, even in the face of brunt of unemployment rates two to three daily challenges faced by African-Americans times greater than those for white Americans. living in Cincinnati’s second city. Our report breaks down the disparities Our Urban League affiliate last published a by subject matter, making them easier to report dealing solely with the state of black understand. “Two Cities” shows African- Cincinnati in 1995. Since then, a number of Americans enduring unacceptably high other organizations have released annual or unemployment and jobless rates, low high bi-annual regional or city studies, but none school graduation rates, high dropout rates, has a focus on the black community. neighborhoods of concentrated poverty, high incarceration rates, and even higher infant We believe information is power. Twenty mortality rates. years is far too long for the Greater Cincinnati Urban League and its parent As difficult as this information can be to organization, the Urban League of Greater digest, for it paints a bleak portrait of black Southwestern Ohio, to go without putting life, it is necessary for us to collect and viii The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities publish it. And it’s equally important for the organizations and individuals willing to work larger community to evaluate it and come up tirelessly to decrease the overrepresentation of with strategies to bring about lasting change. African-Americana in all of society’s ills. The authors herein are members of our coalition. An African proverb creates a fascinating We are creating a mechanism in which anyone image: When spider webs unite, they can tie who wants to be part of the solution can easily up a lion. We are a people in crisis, and these find a point of entry. The findings of this challenging times call for unprecedented and report demand action, and we believe this type total cooperation from individual African- of coalition is a necessary first step to advance Americans and many of the Urban League’s and promote positive change. community partners. We must, too, engage the greater community. National Urban The Avondale neighborhood, the largest League President Marc Morial, during our black community in Cincinnati and our 2014 national conference in Cincinnati, home, is beginning what we hope is a explained this balance: When asked why a transformation. We are part of a multi- portion of the larger population continues agency partnership that secured a five- to blame the poor and minorities for their year, $29.5 million Choice Neighborhoods economic plights, Morial said, “I get asked grant from the U.S. Department of Housing that a lot. For the record, (critics) were and Urban Development. This type of wrong 40 years ago, they were wrong 20 selfless collaboration is needed across years ago, (and) they were wrong 30 years the city to elevate the quality of life in ago. What makes a community strong is the other predominantly black and Hispanic interdependence of the people. The Urban neighborhoods. We must end damaging in- League believes we have individual and fighting between like-minded organizations, family responsibility. But that responsibility as well, that inhibits progress. has to be met by a community that wants to create jobs and opportunity.” The Center for the Study of Social Policy, based in Washington, District of Columbia, In this spirit, the Greater Cincinnati Urban offers a framework. The center – founded League has created a “Guiding Coalition” of to influence public policy affecting poor

Executive Summary ix children and families, the elderly, and transform generations by promoting personal disabled – calls for communities to create an empowerment and economic self-sufficiency. inclusive process. Goals must be clear, and a partnerships that includes faith leaders, In the end, we, as African-Americans, nonprofits, businesses, and residents needs have come too far to stop now. We cannot to be accountable to each other. Effective tire. We owe it to future generations and communication that reaches a broader to our forebears, those who struggled and audience is important to build public will sacrificed, were imprisoned, or even died to and political support. Usable data that create the opportunities that are available to measures progress is vital; we at the many of us today. We have a proud history Greater Cincinnati Urban League offer this from which to draw strength. Galvanized, report as a baseline from which to begin. we must move forward, as if living the words of the Negro spiritual, “Ain’t gonna We pledge to continue our leadership role let nobody turn me ‘roun.’ ” and support ongoing efforts already begun — such as legislation and initiatives that Donna Jones Baker is President and Chief improve public education, make early Executive Officer of the Urban League of childhood education available to all families, Greater Southwestern Ohio. It is the parent and help returning citizens who’ve paid organization of the Greater Cincinnati their debt to society come home to jobs Urban League and the Miami Valley Urban that pay a living wage. Our mission is to League, Dayton, Ohio.

x The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities “…we must also think of this gap as a widening chasm between African-Americans and whites.”

ECONOMICS Income inequality prevents economic self-sufficiency, mobility

By Wilton Blake and Jenny Laster Exactly what is income inequality? Is it the same as economic inequality? The only It must first be recognized that income commonality is “inequality,” or unequal. We inequality knows no race, color, or make the assumption that if we speak of nationality. For the purpose of this income inequality, we are speaking of how document, however, the focus is on the evenly or unevenly income is distributed African-American community in Cincinnati. in a society. Economic inequality, while encompassing income inequality, may be A 2014 report by the Pew Research Center considered to be the disparate distribution shows that U.S. income inequality is at its of wealth. We often think of this as the gap highest since 1928, the year before the Great between the rich and the poor. But we must Depression started. The report continues also think of this gap as the widening chasm by stating that the black-white income gap between African-Americans and whites, in the United States has persisted and that especially as it relates to areas of Cincinnati the difference in median household incomes with high concentrations of low-income between whites and blacks has grown from African-American households about $19,000 in 1967 to roughly $27,000 in 2011. Closer to home, an estimated 36,933 While not specific to Cincinnati, a January households in Cincinnati had income below 23, 2014 report in The Huffington Post the poverty level, according to the U.S. states the following: Census Bureau’s 2013 American Community “So what is it that stifles economic Survey. These are alarming numbers but mobility? The researchers found that they have little or no meaning for many of us. areas with higher levels of segregation,

2 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities income inequality, and more single That said, while a child’s chance of moving parents tend to have worse prospects up the economic ladder hasn’t fallen, the for mobility. In addition, regions with rungs on the ladder have grown farther apart fewer social networks and poorer school (read: the effect of income inequality has systems are typically worse off. gotten a lot worse). That means kids today are more affected than ever by their parents’ “The one not-so-depressing finding from economic status. This chart from The the report is that economic mobility Huffington Post shows just how bad it is: hasn’t slowed over the past few decades, instead it’s pretty much stayed the same.”

Economics 3 To the family struggling to make ends meet, Office of the Assistant Secretary for the definitions for inequality, charts, graphs, Planning and Evaluation. and research pronunciations have little or no relevance. What is important to that family is 2014 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE sustaining the family unit in a manner that 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND THE allows for basic needs to be met. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Persons in Poverty What does inequality look like? According family/household guideline to the Economic Policy Institute, the income For families/households with a family needs in order to attain a secure more than 8 persons, add $4,060 yet modest living standard is based on for each additional person. the specific costs of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, other 1 $11,670 necessities, and taxes. 2 15,730 3 19,790 Monthly costs for a family with one parent 4 23,850 and one child in Cincinnati-Middleton, Ohio: 5 27,910 Housing $740 Food $367 6 31,970 Child care $581 7 36,030 Transportation $480 8 40,090 Health care $868 Other Necessities $284 Somehow, when we equate these numbers Taxes $206 with those provided by the Economic Monthly Total $3,528 Policy Institute, there is an income gap of Annual Total $42,331 $26,601 between its projected annual costs of $42,331 and the U. S. Poverty Guidelines Compare the above numbers with the figure of $15,730 for a family of two people. Poverty Guidelines as issued by the U. S.

4 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Factors contributing to income work, it isn’t likely to offer enough hours or inequality pay to replace the job they lost; therefore, Catching up or closing the equality gap is they say, why bother? This same theory or like running in a sack race and having no justification may also be applied to people sack. While your opponents are moving who are underemployed. An underemployed ahead in their respective sacks, you, on person is an employed worker who works the other hand, are still at the starting but not in the desired capacity, whether it line looking for either a sack of your own be in terms of compensation, hours, or level or someone to assist you by giving you of skill and experience. While not technically a sack. Perhaps this image is an over- unemployed, the underemployed are often simplification, but a major factor impacting competing for available jobs with both the economics is the inability of society to unemployed and those employed in a greater provide gainful employment for those capacity in the workforce. most affected by economic inequality. But this simple solution is complex. It would Certainly, no simple answers exists. A require employment opportunities where greater question is what is the responsibility the employee received regular work and of African-Americans in Cincinnati toward adequate payment for services. their less fortunate brothers and sisters? One need only to travel the Reading Road Realistically, it is impossible to offer corridor to see first-hand the impact of employment that would provide an economic inequality. If we start at the improved quality of life or economic parity Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati and travel for families where the heads of households north, the income disparities are visible have no marketable skills. This lack of from Mt. Auburn to Avondale to Bond Hill to skill development is perhaps the biggest Roselawn. Where these were once working- deterrent to gainful employment. Many class to upper-income neighborhoods, signs people, especially the long-term unemployed, of economic disparities are obvious: from drop off the radar due to job-seekers giving the deterioration of housing stock to the up on the job search and dropping out of number of young people using sidewalks for the labor force. And, when people can find recreational outlets.

Economics 5 Granted, some of the neighborhoods, such equality. In the State of Ohio, the minimum as Avondale, are making a comeback, but wage in 2014 was $7.95 an hour. In 2015, the work is tedious. The housing stock may the minimum wage is projected to be $8.15 improve in appearance, but the families that an hour. By 2018, the minimum hourly are the victims of income inequality will still wage is projected to be $8.70, a 55-cent be the victims. increase for a four-year period. Even with these dismal numbers, according to the 2014 What is the impact on our communities? Regional Indicators Report produced by What is the fallout resulting from economic Agenda 360 and Vision 2015, our region is inequality? Is it adequate payment for services slowly increasing. According to the Regional based upon skills and/or education, or is it Indicators Report, in 2014, our overall a federal determination of exactly what is ranking was ranked ninth of 12 comparable- a living wage? There are no easy answers, sized cities. In the area of poverty level, and the questions generate interest across we rank fifth. This report uses 200-percent the board. The growth of wages has become measure of the federal poverty level. a key issue at the Federal Reserve, where Chair Janet Yellen highlighted her thoughts The following is a excerpt of an article written about wage growth in a speech in Jackson by Donna Jones Baker, president and chief Hole, Wyoming, on August 22, 2014. In her executive of the Urban League of Greater remarks, Yellen states that one of the factors Southwestern Ohio, that appeared in the bearing on estimates of labor-market slack 2014 edition of the National Urban League is the elevated number of workers who are State of Black America report, “One Nation employed part-time but desire full-time work. Underemployed; Jobs Rebuild America.” After years of Congressional gridlock, a record number of states have started taking action in Driving economic self-sufficiency to recent years to raise the minimum wage. transform the next generation Economic self-sufficiency may be defined Even with an increase in the minimum as the ability of a person or the ability of a wage, a void still exists that prevents low- family to maintain a standard of living that income families from achieving income is independent of assistance from others.

6 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities To be economically self-sufficient is to have Cincinnati. The Urban League maintains the ability to provide basic needs such as a commitment to changing that paradigm adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, by focusing on the key areas of workforce and transportation without the benefit of development and business development financial assistance from others, including and entrepreneurship. Workforce programs institutions and government agencies. With comprise 29.5 percent of our overall this definition of economic self-sufficiency in agency budget. Both programs are roads to mind, in 2012 our Urban League launched economic self-sufficiency. a comprehensive strategic plan that guides our programming and allows us to directly The creation of jobs is critical to economic impact the lives of hundreds of families in self-sufficiency and can be the first step our service area. The mission of the Urban toward building generational wealth. League of Greater Southwestern Ohio is Our workforce programs are designed to to transform generations by promoting prepare participants for success in the personal empowerment and economic work arena by providing free programs that self-sufficiency. Our vision is vibrant teach and re-enforce soft skills, basic job communities with thriving individuals, readiness, and provide an entrée into the families, and businesses. various skilled trades. All of our workforce programs are built upon the foundation of Changing the paradigm has not been our flagship program: Solid Opportunities easy. In 2005-2009,13,772 families lived for Advancement and Retention (SOAR). below the poverty level in Cincinnati. In 2013 SOAR and our Accelerated Call Seventy-six percent of those families Center Education Program (ACE), were were African-American, according to the the gateways to employment for 650 men report “The Social Areas of Cincinnati.” and women with jobs paying an average It was researched and written by Michael of $10.50 an hour. These jobs provided Maloney and Christopher Auffrey as part program participants a pathway to of a community research collaborative by specialized and seasonal industry-specific the United Way of Greater Cincinnati and training programs and employment. the School of Planning at the University of Recognizing the link between poverty and

Economics 7 education, the Urban League annually co- their own path to the American dream. To hosts youth oriented pathways to specialized date, 46 companies have participated in and seasonal industry-specific training the program with a 93-percent completion programs and employment. rate. Of the companies starting the program 88 percent are still in business. Training Being economically self-sufficient through and success go hand-in-glove. Twenty- owning your own business is not a three of our business development program new concept in the African-American companies report having received 351 community. We have traditionally owned contracts for a total of $66.8 million. the neighborhood grocery, the barber shop, the beauty parlor, and the funeral home, all Small-business growth has a domino effect; specializing in serving community members. companies participating in our program Many of the small businesses supporting our have been able to hire additional employees, community die due to the lack of operating frequently hiring from one of our workforce capital and business acumen. Through our development programs. The steady company Business Development & Entrepreneurship growth of these businesses has resulted in (BDE) programs, we meet the needs of both their receiving approximately $7.5 million established and aspiring entrepreneurs. in small business loans. In an effort to help We include as a part of our BDE program support and grow this program, we received a Small Business Development Center a five-year grant from a generational family- and the regional office of the Women’s owned group of companies — proof that Business Enterprise National Council generational wealth is the key to creating an women’s business certification program. Of economically stable community. major importance in our BDE program is our League’s African American Business The Urban League also engages in social Development Program (AABDP). Founded entrepreneurship with an on-site call center in 2010, it provides technical assistance, that will eventually provide employment to mentoring, encouragement, and hope for more than 150 people making a minimum individuals and families as they pursue wage of more than $10.50 an hour.

8 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Epilogue: In 2014, ACE enrolled 143 We believe in economic equality and take great participants with a graduation rate of 81 pride in our accomplishments to date. There is, percent. Year to date, 80 graduates have however, much more work to be done. obtained employment for a total of 113 jobs recorded. ACE graduates earned an average Wilton Blake is white paper writer, case study starting salary of $11.02 an hour. writer, and storyteller. Jenny Laster is former project manager for the Greater Cincinnati Urban League’s “State of Black Cincinnati.”

Economics 9 How to compute labor statistics

Unemployment Rate Unemployed + Discouraged + Marginally Total unemployed, as a percent of the Attached civilian labor force. This is the “official” U-3 ÷ unemployment rate used by the Bureau of Civilian Labor Force + Marginally Attached Labor Statistics. Underemployment Unemployed Total unemployed, plus all persons ÷ marginally attached to the labor force, Civilian Labor Force plus total employed part-time for economic reasons (LNS12032194 BLS Series ID), as Jobless a percent of the civilian labor force plus all Total unemployed (LNS13000000 BLS persons marginally attached to the labor Series ID), plus discouraged workers force. This is the U-6 unemployment rate (LNU05026645 BLS Series ID), plus all used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. other persons marginally attached to the labor force, as a percent of the civilian labor Unemployed + Marginally Attached + force plus all persons marginally attached Part-Time (LNU05026642 BLS Series ID) to the labor ÷ force. This is the U-5 unemployment rate Civilian Labor Force + Marginally Attached used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

10 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Note: given a job-market related reason for Persons marginally attached to the labor not currently looking for work. Persons force are those who currently are neither employed part-time for economic reasons working nor looking for work but indicate are those who want and are available for that they want and are available for a job full-time work but have had to settle for and have looked for work sometime in the a part-time schedule. Updated population past 12 months. Discouraged workers, controls are introduced annually with the a subset of the marginally attached, have release of January data.

Economics 11 Regional growth out-pacing inclusion of black-owned business

By Sean Rugless a consistent call for accessibility to jobs, education and justice. “…the economic disparities separating blacks and whites remain as wide as they However, an August 2013 Washington Post were when marchers assembled on the Mall article states, “Even as racial barriers have in 1963.” been toppled and the nation has grown — Michael A. Fletcher, Washington Post wealthier and better educated, the economic disparities separating blacks and whites A historical perspective remain as wide as they were when marchers This report comes at a time of historical assembled on the Mall in 1963.” The significance. The years 2014 and 2015 mark analysis highlights: the 50th anniversaries of the signing of • The black unemployment rate has the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights consistently been twice as high as the Act, respectively; two pieces of landmark white unemployment rate for 50 years. In legislation, signed only 10 months apart fact, if the rest of the nation experienced collectively outlawed discrimination and the same unemployment levels as blacks, the denial of access to schools, workplaces, it would be labeled a particularly severe public facilities, and voting based on race, recession. color, religion, sex, or national origin. • The gap in household income and wealth Since then, civil rights and community between blacks and whites hasn’t movements, such as the NAACP, the narrowed in the last 50 years; in fact National Urban League and its affiliates, it grew even wider during the Great and black chambers of commerce have had Recession of 2007-2009.

12 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities • Our schools are more segregated today the country, and our region is home to than in 1980. The more non-white headquarters of nine Fortune 500 and students a school has, the fewer resources five Fortune 1000 firms. Additionally, the it has. A 10 percentage-point increase level of public infrastructure spending and in the share of non-white students in a investment occurring within public entities school is associated with a $75 decrease such as the City of Cincinnati, public school in per student spending. districts, and state level procurement fosters • Blacks are still more likely to be business opportunities that can create a uninsured than whites. viable climate for business growth. • The racial disparity in incarceration rates is bigger than it was in the 1960s. The However, a significant challenge to our incarceration rate of black men is more regional competitiveness is that the pace than six times higher than that of white of economic inclusion for African-American men, slightly larger than the gap in 1960, businesses has not kept pace with the when it was 5:1. Incarceration limits pace of economic growth being experienced economic freedom. throughout our region. Said another way, we mimic, not exceed, the national trend. In 1964, the Rev. Martin Luther King, As Cincinnati has become more diverse Jr. moved “beyond civil rights.” He would with almost 1 out of 2 city residents being introduce the notion that there can be no African-American, the health, vibrancy, and social justice without economic justice. attractiveness of our economic climate is Why? At the very core of crime, education, intimately tied to the strength of this business poverty, and ultimately leadership is a segment. Our regional snapshot reveals: direct correlation on the state the African- • The unemployment rate for these American economic situation. residents remains at twice the level of the majority population, with a per capita Our local economic context income at almost half. Greater Cincinnati offers a robust economic • While minority business is the fastest- infrastructure. Greater Cincinnati is growing sector in the country — according the 25th largest metropolitan region in to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s

Economics 13 Minority Business Development Agency and assist in developing strategic — collectively minority businesses within partnerships and alliances for the purpose the Cincinnati region contribute less than 1 of strengthening and growing the business percent of regional gross domestic product. community. We join other regional minority • African-American participation in both business organizations such as the Greater public- and private-sector supplier Cincinnati Urban League, the Minority diversity programs on average perform Business Accelerator, and Ohio Minority lower than a nationally acceptable Supplier Development Council to collectively threshold of 15-20 percent of spending. reduce the disparities facing African- American enterprises. Our collective focus As small business is a catalyst to a stronger A point to grow from economy, we understand that there is a To improve the economic growth among direct relationship between small business African-American and minority businesses, growth, job creation, and the status of our we must establish a baseline from which to communities. monitor progress. The exhibits and findings that follow provide benchmarks from One strategy to reverse disparities faced which we can evaluate our progress toward by one of our largest population segments, economic vitality for this business segment African-Americans, is to spur the economic and a trajectory for efforts designed to growth within its business segment. enhance that progress. The African American Chamber Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky’s mission I. Geography is to establish, cultivate and strengthen While the vast majority of African-American consumer and business relationships, owned businesses reside in Hamilton County, provide access to major corporate markets almost 20 percent of our businesses operate for our African-American business owners in surrounding counties, with 10 percent in to help increase business opportunities, the northern suburbs of the region.

14 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Total % of all Firms Firms Hamilton 7,603 82% Butler 861 9% Kenton 310 3% Warren 255 3% Boone 171 2% Clermont 69 1% Campbell 0 0% 9,269

The high concentration of African-American business within Hamilton County is significant. That importance comes from the dollar volume of business opportunities that are presented with economic development initiatives, infrastructure projects, business attraction efforts, and the increasing focus on economic inclusion for public procurement activity. Additionally, Hamilton County continues to have a strong density of private sector business relationships that can fuel enterprise growth for the minority business segment.

Economics 15 In addition to the density in Hamilton statistical area lags behind major in-state County, there is growing presence of and out-of-state metropolitan areas. African-American firms in the outlying suburbs that are adjacent to Cincinnati, While African-American enterprises make following recent shifts in regional population up 18.3 percent of all businesses in the city and development trends. A U.S. Census of Cincinnati, regionally we lag behind cities Population estimate released in March and regions that we benchmark for diversity 2014 shows that Cincinnati’s population and economic development. Cincinnati’s decline has slowed and shows healthy African-American business density is lower growth over the past three years in than both Cleveland and Columbus markets, traditional hot spots surrounding the city, and is at parity with Dayton. In regions of such as Warren and Clermont counties the United States that are recognized for in Ohio and Boone and Kenton counties their diverse communities, the percentage of in Kentucky. As economic development African-American businesses are one-third continues to grow in the first-ring suburbs to 100 percent higher than our region. and counties adjacent to Hamilton County, and if the City of Cincinnati is perceived This is significant as the availability to quality as having an unfavorable business climate suppliers, diverse experiences, and retail, for African-Americans, we can expect a job creation, and innovative entrepreneurs is stronger migration of African-American essential to attract much-needed talent and firms to either establish offices and/or new corporations to the region. conduct a higher level of business in those surrounding areas. The Diverse by Design 2014 report also highlights that we have room for II. Percentage of business community improvement. When we explore minority- As we have seen significant growth in owned businesses per capita — the number the number of African-American owned of minority-owned businesses per 1,000 businesses in our region, as a percentage people — we find we are significantly behind of total businesses compared to various cities that are fast becoming hotbeds for geographies, the Cincinnati metropolitan minority business attraction, much like

16 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Atlanta was in the mid-1980s. While the regional chamber’s Minority Business Accelerator has helped grow minority- owned companies and increased spending with them over the past 10 years, there is still plenty of opportunity to help budding entrepreneurs and small companies grow.

One of the key insights in our Diverse by Design report was that companies here have a hard time retaining highly skilled African- Americans and other black employees. Anecdotally, what we’ve learned is that

Economics 17 the lack of a visible black middle class, African-American firms in key sectors and and experiences that cater to them, is a establishing more businesses of scale. key reason why diverse talent retention is low and why high potential recruits and Within six counties of the Cincinnati minority entrepreneurs depart for Atlanta, metropolitan statistical area, African- the District of Columbia, and other regions American firms generated $665 million in that are more inclusive. sales. These firms directly employ 3,901 workers and generate almost a $100 million III. Size of enterprise payroll annually. African-American firms contribute two- thirds of a billion dollars in receipts, with Regionally, African-American firms are two-thirds of that volume coming from over-index in percentage of sole proprietor/ employer-based firms. To accelerate job non-employees firms at 96 percent. The U.S. creation multipliers, attention must be average is 75 percent. paid toward increasing the number of

Summary of Black-Owned Firms in Cincinnati Region County Total Total Sales Firms with Total Sales Total Annual Firms Receipts Employees Firms with Number of Payroll Employees Employees Hamilton 7,603 $451M 315 $309M 3,346 $85M Butler 861 $93M N/A N/A N/A N/A Kenton 310 $17M 25 $10M 159 $4M Warren 255 $34M N/A N/A N/A N/A Boone 171 $15M 34 $11M 146 $4M Clermont 69 $54M 8 $53M 250 $6M Total 9,269 $665M 382 $385M 3,901 $99M (Source: U.S. Census)

18 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities While 96 percent of African-American to generate a livable wage among those firms that had no employees contributed that have been unsuccessful in obtaining 42 percent of total receipts for this employment. However, the focus on segment, their average annual sales were employer-based firms is essential because approximately $32,000, establishing them employer-based firms make up only 4 as micro-enterprises. One main driver percent of all African-American firms but of this outcome might be the practice generated 58 percent of all receipts for this of establishing an enterprise/business segment.

African-American Firms in Hamilton County by Industry

*According to the 2007 Census, there are 7603 black-owned firms in Hamilton County; however, 2083 are not classified by industry. **Other includes religious, grant-making and civic organizations.

Economics 19 IV. Industry activities have be effective in generating By industry, professional and administrative wealth and enterprise growth among services are the leading sectors for African- African-American-owned firms when there American firms. Construction and retail, has been a dedicated focus and effective while highly visible within the African- platforms in place. American business sector, are strong third- and fourth-largest sectors. Governments use procurement and public projects to present economic Despite a strong presence in both development opportunities that stimulate business-to-business and business-to- enterprise growth. The level of inclusion consumer categories, the largest category and successful vendor/supplier relation- of African-American registered businesses ships have long been critical cornerstones lie in religious, grant-making, and civic to African-American business increases organizations. To unlock more substantial and job growth. One primary concern of economic progress, there is an opportunity minority business owners is whether such to drive stronger entry into high-growth investments will reach their respective sectors of our region’s major industries: communities. • Education • Financial services While we have had episodes of success, there • Insurance are many supplier diversity and inclusion • Manufacturing practices in the areas of public spending • BioHealth that have historically and consistently • Food processing and agriculture under-performed. There continues to be • Information technology ineffective inclusion programs that, because of their poorly designed structure and These sectors are targeted for investment wavering commitment, actually suppress and workforce development. business opportunities from a pipeline of ready and willing business owners and V. Public sector economic inclusion reduce the economic benefit of putting Public infrastructure and purchasing underrepresented groups to work.

20 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Summary of Black-Owned Firms in Cincinnati Region Agency Period Diverse Spend State of Ohio FY 2014 Spent $165M with certified MBEs (10.65% of eligible Spend against 15% Goal) Port Authority CY 2013 Spent $7.1M with MBEs (23.7% of Total Project Costs) Cincinnati Metro FY 2013 Spent $27M with DBE, SBE, MBE, WBE and DOB (22.07% of Total Spend)* Cincinnati CY 2013 Spent $4M with MWBEs (24% of Total Spend) Metropolitan Housing Authority City of Cincinnati CY 2013 Spent $5.2M with certified SBEs who self-identify as African-American (2.1% of Total Spend) Spent $40.7M with certified SBEs (16.6% of Total Spend vs. a 30% Goal) Kenton County FY 2013 Spent $0 with DBEs (0% of Total Spend)* Airport OKI Jan. 13 – July 14 Spent $11K with DBEs Cincinnati Public Requested Schools *Kenton County Airport Board officially launched a DBE program in 2014. Source: Annual Reports and Public Records Requests

Economics 21 In the past year, there appears to be a Minority Supplier Development Council, is heightened focus on inclusion. The City of dedicated to providing a direct link between Cincinnati’s Small Business Enterprise Minority Business Enterprises and its program has not delivered substantive corporate members. Its focus is to assist the Minority Business Enterprise participation. development and maintenance of effective Contracting levels with Minority Business corporate supplier diversity programs. Enterprises remains less than 4 percent for almost a decade. The City is introducing an Per the 2014 annual report of the Ohio office of Economic Inclusion and potentially Minority Supplier Development Council, the new legislation to improve outcomes. The Cincinnati’s regional pipeline and outcomes State of Ohio has established inclusion goals of remain strong for certified minority 15 percent for Minority Business Enterprises businesses. Highlights include: and 5 percent for Encouraging Diversity, • The 4 Billion Dollar Roundtable Growth and Equity. Moving forward, greater Corporations in this region maintained strides are still needed to ensure that the their standing as they spent at least $4 programs are designed to meet their objectives billion with diverse companies. and deliver their intended effects. When • The regional pipeline of Ohio Minority African-American businesses are not included Supplier Development Council sits at 376 in economic activity, it hurts our economy. certified Minority Business Enterprises. • Regionally, Ohio Minority Supplier VI. Private sector snapshot Development Council certified companies There continues to be a robust set of represent approximately $3.9 million in initiatives to grow the corporate pipeline total annual gross revenue. of minority business enterprises. We can • These minority enterprises employed assess the strength of these efforts by 10,480 persons, of which 4,228 were examining outcomes and key indicators of ethnic minorities. two regional minority business partners. The Minority Business Accelerator is the The Ohio Minority Supplier Development flagship economic development initiative of Council, an affiliate of the National the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and

22 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities focused on growing sizable minority firms. • Portfolio firms employed 3,246 persons, The accelerator’s mission is to speed up the and 48 percent of employees are minorities. development of sizable minority business enterprises and strengthen and expand the Each of these organizations have introduced regional minority entrepreneurial community. new capability to advance the scale and The accelerator works with regional performance of its Minority Business companies to increase their utilization of Enterprises constituency. For example, in and spending with local minority-owned 2014 the Minority Business Accelerator businesses by helping them identify and launched the Ross Love Growth Bridge connect with local minority suppliers who can Fund, a $1.7 million fund that provides meet specific needs for products and services. flexible debt capital to finance growth • 36 Minority Business Accelerator Goal projects of established African-American Setter companies spent more than $1 billion and Hispanic-owned firms in the region. with minority companies in Cincinnati USA. • 35 African-American and Hispanic-owned Sean Rugless is president and chief executive member firms. officer of the African American Chamber of • Average portfolio firm revenue reached Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. $32 million.

Economics 23 Acme Wrecking’s history provides lessons in savvy, excellence

By Schuyler J. Smith to African-Americans — whites did not want to wear a tuxedo that black man had worn I began my entrepreneurial journey in 1945 — so we were able to take advantage of that. when I opened a dry cleaning business at the corner of Lincoln and Gilbert avenues The irony is that we rented tuxedos from in Walnut Hills. At that time, three other a white-owned formal wear provider and cleaners — Harold Overton at Altoona operated as a pass-through for the clothing. and Buena Vista; New Way at Gilbert The white public did not know about this and Beecher, and Fenton on Churchill arrangement, and it went on for years. and Beecher — also did business in our We struggled but did well for those times, immediate area. earning a little more than $50,000 per year.

After the years, I was able to build a plant In 1955, a childhood friend of mine from in suburban Lockland to handle all of the Richmond, Kentucky, called and asked if I physical cleaning of the clothing, and the would help him demolish a barn in Indian Walnut Hills location served as a drop-off Hill on a Saturday. We rented some tools and pick-up location. and a small truck and got the job done in a weekend’s time. After we paid all We added a formal rental service that of our expenses and split the remaining allowed us to take advantage of the need for money, I had made more than I would for tuxedos and formal wear for men. At that a week at the dry cleaners. This experience time, a cultural stigma existed that limited turned on a light in my mind regarding mainstream companies from renting tuxedos the profitability of the wrecking business. I

24 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities would end up pursuing it one job at a time business hired us, too, so we continued to with great success. do houses and other private projects. We continued to self-finance everything until the I founded Acme Wrecking Company and late 1970s when banks were under pressure began hand-wrecking with a small crew to make loans to minority-owned businesses. that included my brother and some other We used our credit strategically to buy friends. I picked that name because it was land and equipment, which allowed us to the first listing in the phone book. We added specialize in industrial demolition. They are tools and eventually purchased a truck the largest buildings and presented us with and additional equipment. In those days, complex demolition strategies. Our timing loans were not available to black-owned was again right. We were fortunate to be in a businesses, so we did everything on a cash region with a lot of manufacturing businesses basis for many years. I purchased a lot that were expanding, modernizing, or going and building on Whittier Street in Walnut out of business. Hills, where we operated until Interstate 71 construction claimed our property, which Acme had the opportunity to work on the state bought from us. some of the largest projects in the city: clearing the four city blocks for Procter & We moved around the corner to Wehrman Gamble’s world headquarters Downtown, Avenue and Syracuse Street, and for the and modernization of its Ivorydale plant; next 30 years bought and developed the removal of tracks and other small structures entire street for our business uses. I actually at Union Terminal; the demolition of lived on Syracuse Street as a teenager with Harry’s Corner for the expansion of the my family; we were on welfare. Ironically, I Duke Energy Center; and the removal of was able to come back years later and own the old LeBlond Plant in Norwood, where the entire street. Rookwood shopping center now sits at Madison and Edwards roads. We moved into public-sector work for the City of Cincinnati and the State of Ohio. Acme Wrecking was a success story because Many of our clients from the hand-wrecking of the many people who worked with us in

Economics 25 our 50 years in business. We trained many operated under the radar. We did not make equipment operators and truck drivers who a big deal out of being black-owned. We otherwise would not have been able to get focused on being the best and providing the opportunities with majority companies. Our best service and value for our clients. employees were dedicated, and I always tried to lead by example. My personal hope is that all of the roadblocks and dead ends we endured are cleared for the Today, the environment is so very different. next generation of black entrepreneurs. Their Many of the barriers that we faced no longer access to capital, education, and leadership exist for minority companies, and I see a lot positions will enable the playing field to truly of people taking advantage of opportunities be leveled as we move toward a more inclusive and succeeding. Black business owners have business environment. more access to capital and larger-dollar volume bids. African-American businesses Schuyler J. Smith is founder and served as have overall better relationships with president of Acme Wrecking Company from buyers and purchasing departments. We 1955-2005.

26 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities “The Affordable Care Act’s expansion of public and private insurance must not be curtailed.”

HEALTH Social inequities complicate racial health disparities

By Karen Bankston inequalities that have been borne of a history of polarization. Subsequently, we have yet “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice to find tools that can effectively diagnose the in health care is the most shocking and causes and develop treatment interventions to inhumane.” close the health disparities gap. — Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., in a speech to the Medical Committee for Human Rights, 1966 It is often said that you can determine the state of a community by assessing the state Each time I hear this quote, I think that of health of its children. African-American despite having made tremendous strides in the babies and children in Cincinnati are delivery of care since 1966, we continue to have negatively disproportionately impacted a burgeoning gap between the health outcomes on all fronts that prohibit their ability to of African-Americans and other citizens. live their best lives. Specifically, we have high rates of infant mortality, asthma, The health care disparity affecting allergies, and dental problems, to name a African-Americans is talked about across few. Additionally, their parents are faced organizations and conferences by individuals with high rates of diabetes, advanced stage who are interested in health outcomes or the breast cancer, and increased likelihood to impact of health on their “bottom line.” Yet die of cardiovascular disease. The causes of these same individuals are often at a loss for these health challenges, while scientifically how to close the gap. These negative outcomes understood, are complicated by the can be correlated to some of the many social intersection of complex social inequities.

28 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities These inequities compound the ability of on by the stakeholders. The building of our public, private, and community health these coalitions is critical to transcending infrastructure to be effective, because they the barrier(s) that allow for poverty, poor must organize the initiatives to be culturally education, joblessness, and homelessness. sensitive in an environment that may not be We must all join in the fight. Winning the ready for social change. battle(s) will allow us to gain a greater understanding of the relationship of where Subsequently, the reduction and ensuing health care and the social determinants elimination of disparities in health care will intersect to close the health disparities gap. require input from multiple stakeholders, not just those who focus on the bottom line. “I have the audacity to believe that peoples Specifically, health care providers, educators, everywhere can have three meals a day community and faith leaders, policymakers, for their bodies, education and culture for funding agencies, corporate leaders, and their minds, and dignity, equality, and most importantly, the recipients of care must freedom for their spirits. I believe that what be the soldiers for change. self-centered men have torn down, other- centered men can build up.” The social determinants that are at the — Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. foundation of these existing disparities require systemic change facilitated by Karen Bankston is owner of KDB and inspiration of multiple components brought Associates Consulting Services.

Health 29 Seeing public health in context of poor housing, other social ills

By Noble A-W Maseru health and wellness of Cincinnati residents and visitors, employing methods that include “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” surveillance, assessment, disease prevention — Booker T. Washington and protection, health education, and assuring access to public health services.” This objective The passing of the calendar year 2014 offers is accomplished through partnerships with the opportunity to reflect on the health of the schools, hospitals, community health centers, public in Cincinnati and look forward to the health insurers, community action agencies, challenges ahead. Before doing so, let’s acquire businesses, the faith community, health and a brief understanding what public health is: human services stakeholder organizations, A professional workforce applying a body of and other community based groups to improve knowledge to solve health problems, that is residents’ quality of life and well-being. the frontline defense and safety net to prevent, protect, and promote the health of the public. The Cincinnati Health Department’s programs and services endeavor to realize: As Bernard Turnock of the University of health equity and social justice (2); Illinois at Chicago says, “public health improvement in the health and social well- is literally the health of the public, as being of communities; sustained economic measured in terms of health and illness in a and human development; and a competent population.” (1) and mutually respectful workforce.

The vision of the Cincinnati Health In addressing the state of public health in Department (CHD) is “… to work for the African-Americans in Cincinnati, we proceed

30 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities with a social equity lens that is predicated the context of income, occupational shifts, upon three premises. First, the health and education, socioeconomic status, population well-being of a community will not be realized heterogeneity, poverty, lack of access to if inequality is too great. Second, strategies transportation, safe affordable housing, to end health inequity are fashioned around nutritious foods, safe space, and other “systems change” and collaboration. Third, it measures that affect population health. is argued, a “healthy Cincinnati for all” will These measures have in some cases resulted not occur unless decision makers of the health in a disproportionate burden of disease and systems and human services agencies have a premature death for certain populations. health equity framework. No single factor or measure encompasses Our charge by the Urban League of Greater the health status of a community. That Southwestern Ohio is to contribute a section said, two indices generally accepted as in “The State of Black Cincinnati,” 2015 indicators of a population’s health status are edition. Consequently, this article will have highlighted in this article: life expectancy an additional focus on the implications for and infant mortality. the African-American community. Life expectancy in Cincinnati Health and well-being of a community Life expectancy at birth is an indicator of not realized if inequality is too great health conditions (3). Cincinnati Health “The present differences in mortality seem Department Assistant Commissioner Dr. to be sufficiently explained by conditions of Camille Jones and biostatistician Dr. Justin life. Our death rate is without the slightest Blackburn developed life expectancy data for doubt a death rate due to poverty and each of 47 Cincinnati neighborhood groupings. discrimination.” — W.E.B. Du Bois The average Cincinnati resident lives 76.7 years, two years less than the average Social justice is a core value of public American, suggesting that we are not as health. The Cincinnati Health Department healthy as the rest of the nation. The table is compelled to address social justice in below illustrates the life expectancy gap

Health 31 that exists between men (73.6 years) and fewer years than white women (72.4 vs. 79.0). women (79.6 years) in Cincinnati. While While racial disparities exist at the state and this disparity between the two sexes is also national levels, African-American women are seen in Ohio and the U.S. as a whole, life living far shorter lives in Cincinnati (72.4 expectancy for both men and women in years) than in Ohio (76.5 years) and the Cincinnati is less than the average Ohioan United States (77.4 years) as a whole, and and the average U.S. resident. the same holds true for African-American men (63.8 years vs. 69.8 years for Ohio African-American men and women do not overall and 70.9 years for the U.S.). These live as long as their white counterparts in findings point to significant health inequities Cincinnati. On average, African-American that must be addressed as a city. men live 10 fewer years than white men (63.8 vs. 73.8), and African-American women live 6 More detail is available in the Table I below.

Life Expectancy at Birth, Cincinnati 2001-2009 compared to other jurisdictions

32 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Difference in life expectancy at birth for Infant vitality in Cincinnati neighborhoods within city Vitality is assessed by indicators of health, The Cincinnati Health Department has access to health care, well-being, morbidity, developed life expectancy data for each and mortality. of 47 neighborhood groupings. Only 14 of the 47 neighborhoods met the United In Cincinnati, similar to disparities States’ 78.7 year life expectancy. These life in life expectancy that can be mapped expectancy calculations show that newborns geographically by neighborhood, infant in some neighborhoods may expect to live mortality can also be mapped by as many as 20 years longer than newborns neighborhood. Neighborhoods with the in other neighborhoods. This disparity can greatest socioeconomic needs generally are at be seen even in neighborhoods that are greater risk for premature death. Moreover, geographically located right next to each having a baby is not solely a medical event; other. For example, newborns in North it’s also a social event. Consequently we Avondale/Paddock Hills can expect to live to have implemented a strategic framework about 87 years, while newborns in Avondale that advances a public health approach — immediately to the south — have a life in addressing infant mortality. More than expectancy of about 68 years. This disparity monitoring and tracking, our public health reflects the uneven development, social approach includes interventions that are inequities, and income inequality of our sensitive to client’s social and environmental neighborhoods. Unemployment is also a determinants of health, recognizing the social significant factor in premature death. context in which our clients function, not just what is seen at the point of intervention. See Life Expectancy at Birth, by Neighborhood, Table number 1 in the Appendix. Page 48. To better understand Cincinnati’s distribution of infant mortality, we These variations in life expectancy help to calculated infant mortality rates (IMR) by further identify neighborhoods where factors zip code. The results ranged from 0.0 to 32.2 that adversely impact health and well-being deaths per 1,000 live births. may be concentrated.

Health 33 See Infant Mortality by Zip Code Table The nation’s “Healthy People 2020” number 2 in Appendix. Page 50. prematurity goal is 11.4 percent.

In 2007, the Cincinnati Health Department In August 2012, building upon the six- established the Infant Vitality Surveillance year surveillance network experience, we Network (IVSN) that expanded into a initiated a tracking application for infant collaboration comprising University of vitality that expanded into client-centered Cincinnati Medical Center and federally care coordination. The First Steps Program qualified community health centers, involves hospital discharge and home including WinMed, Lincoln Heights, and visitation agency feedback (4). The additional the now-closed West End and neighborhood partners include: The Christ Hospital, community health centers. The five-year Lighthouse Youth Services, American Home infant mortality rate for 2006-2010 for the Nursing, Healthy Moms & Babes, and Health surveillance network was 9.2 compared Care Access Now. The First Steps Program’s to the city’s rate of 13.6 – a 30-percent goal was to achieve a 9.9 infant mortality rate improvement in vitality. or lower for each zip code, as well as across the city, by January 1, 2015. The 9.9 city-wide See Cincinnati Infant Mortality Rate Table target rate was achieved early, in 2013. This number 3 in Appendix. Page 51. amounts to a 27.2-percent reduction from the city’s 2010 13.6 infant mortality rate. Moreover, in terms of prematurity, ostensibly the leading cause of newborn death – the See Table number 5 Cincinnati IMR 2006- surveillance network prematurity rate was 9.4 2013 in Appendix. Page 53. percent, 33 percent better than the 14-percent city-wide rate during the same time period. The Nation’s Healthy People 2020 infant mortality rate goal is 6.0 infant deaths per See Table number 4 Percent of Children Born 1,000 live births. The nation’s rate of infant Premature in Cincinnati by Provider of Care mortality reduction for a decade has been 3 and Race 2010-2011 in Appendix. Page 52. to 5 percent per year.

34 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities The national rate dropped by 10.4 percent Ohio, Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Health from 6.7 (2007), to 6.0 in (2011). During that Department. The white infant mortality rate same period Ohio, Cincinnati and Cincinnati decreased 6.3 percent, 22.8 percent, and 100 Health Department rates decreased 6.5 percent, respectively, for Ohio, Cincinnati, percent, 26.6 percent, and 100 percent, and the Cincinnati Health Department. respectively. The African-American infant mortality rate decreased 8.1 percent, 30.7 See Table II below percent, and 100 percent, respectively for

Table II. Infant Mortality Rate Percent Increase-Decrease Comparisons 2007 Ohio USA Cincinnati CHD Hamilton County* Caucasian 6.3 5.6 7.9 N/A 7.4 African- 14.8 13.3 18.2 N/A 15.9 American Total 7.7 6.7 13.5 7.1 8.8

2013 Ohio %+/- USA %+/- Cincinnati %+/- CHD %+/- Hamilton %+/- County* Caucasian 5.9 (6.3) N/A N/A 6.1 (22.8) 0.0 (100) 5.5 (21.6) African- 13.6 (8.1) N/A N/A 12.6 (30.7) 0.0 (100) 18.4 15.7 American Total 7.2 (6.5) 6.0** (10.4) 9.9 (26.6) 0.0 (100) 7.8 (11.4) *= Minus City **=2011 Latest Available Data Infant Mortality Rate = number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births Sources: Cincinnati Health Department office of Vital Records and Statistics, Report of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee of Infant Mortality (SACIM), Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics 2013 Health 35 Our evidence clearly shows that the public of these “target” zip codes have a majority health approach, including the surveillance African-American population with a 70 network and First Steps Program, is an percent poverty concentration. African- effective application in improving maternal American crude infant mortality rate and infant health. It’s proactive, focuses on numbers are 2 to 3 times the rates of whites. prevention, and provides real-time, flexible, But when you compare the rate of African- upstream intervention opportunities. American clients by provider, the disparity Moreover, the First Steps care coordination is not constant. (6) and hospital discharge protocol attained the 2007-2010 infant mortality rate goal of 9.9 Additionally, with our intervention, the city wide, affirming the surveillance network prematurity rate race disparity between public health intervention effectiveness the Cincinnati Health Department (public in achieving infant vitality and maternal health) and the city (non-public health) was health improvement. eliminated.

The patient experience in the federally See Table number 4 Percent of Children Born qualified community health centers offers Premature in Cincinnati by Source of Care evidence that differences in health outcomes and Race 2010-2011 in Appendix. Page 52. are not solely due to race, ethnicity, and place. A public health oriented approach can Public health effectiveness in reducing achieve health equity (5). premature birth The national premature birth rate fell to For example the racial ethnic makeup of the 11.4 percent in 2013, the lowest in 17 years Cincinnati Health Department/University — meeting the nation’s “Healthy People of Cincinnati Medical Center ob-gyn client 2020” goal. However, despite that progress, population is 56 percent African-American, the U.S. earned a “C” grade, falling short of and 78 percent of our clients reside in the the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report “target” zip codes that initially had the Card target for 2020 of less than 9.6 percent highest infant mortality rates in the city premature births. Ohio’s 12.1 percent (rates greater than or equal to 10). Some also received a grade of “C.” But there is

36 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities good news in Cincinnati. Our Cincinnati Preventing premature birth is a leading factor Health Department, in collaboration with for decreasing years of potential life lost. University of Cincinnati Medical Center, met the federal “Healthy People 2020” goal Premature birth, defined as birth that for four consecutive years (2010-2013), occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy, and our 8.5 premature birth rate earned a is a serious health problem that can have March of Dimes Report Card Grade “A.” serious lifelong consequences. Infants that survive an early birth can face a myriad of We attribute this success to the public health challenges. health care experience received in our health centers, as well as to the surveillance In 2013, there were 823 premature births in network First Steps protocol discussed Cincinnati, which amounts to approximately above. The public health based surveillance 1 in 7 births. To reach the “Healthy People” network 2013 prematurity rate was 9.8. and March of Dimes 2020 targets, we The 108 premature births prevented by must have 35-50 fewer premature births, the health department-UC Medical Center respectively, per year for six years. The intervention since 2008 amounted to an current city-wide annual reduction in estimated $16 million to $31 million dollars number of premature births has been close saved in medical and neonatal intensive to nine premature births per year. At that care unit costs. rate we would reach the “Healthy People 2020” and March of Dimes targets in 2039 See Table number 6 CHD Prematurity Cost and 2050, respectively. Savings in Appendix. Page 54. The 2020 national targets are doable. Five However, there’s much work to be done. Our years ago, Cincinnati’s infant mortality responsibility as public health officers is to rate was 13.4; but in 2013 the city’s rate improve population health citywide and not improved to a historically low 9.9 infant solely for clients served in our CHD health deaths per 1,000 live births. And the 2013 centers. African-American rate in Cincinnati was the lowest in the state.

Health 37 See Table number 7 IMR By Race, Selected • 87 percent of the mothers had income Ohio Jurisdictions 2012 in Appendix. Page 55. below the federal poverty level; • 61 percent of the mothers were not on the We believe collaboration was instrumental Women, Infants, and Children’s (WIC) in achieving the historic low city-wide rate nutritional supplemental food program; of 9.9. Similar success can occur in reducing • 76 percent were not smokers. prematurity. Cincinnati’s 34-percent poverty rate is the Cincinnati, in addition to the intervention third highest in the nation. The Cincinnati programs mentioned above, has several public child poverty rate in 2012 was 53 percent. health oriented projects and initiatives that We believe these findings indicate that may also impact preventable premature birth, chronic poverty is the underlying reason such as the Best Baby Zone, Every Child for high prematurity and the subsequent Succeeds, Start Strong, Cradle Cincinnati, high proportion of infant deaths. We have Healthy Start, Centering Pregnancy models, demonstrated empirically, that low infant Council on Child Abuse, and philanthropic mortality rates can be achieved through and social support programs such as Interact effective care coordination, home visitation, for Health and the Cincinnati-Hamilton and care experience for clients that are in County Community Action Agency. a low socioeconomic strata. However, to be successful in reducing the proportion What follows may be counterintuitive and of infant births that are premature, the requires some explanation. It’s popularly evidence seems to indicate that intervention stated that premature birth is the number is required upstream to impact acquiring: one cause of infant deaths. Based on 1. Health care coverage (i.e. pre-conceptual Morehouse College Public Health Institute health planning and pregnancy spacing). Imhotep Fellows Rebecca Tamayo and Curtis 2. Employment out of poverty (livable wage). Clark’s review of Cincinnati’s 53 infant death certificates in 2014, we found that: Social inequality in our city is the quiet crisis • 82 percent of the 53 infant deaths for which that must be arrested to achieve the National we had data in 2013 were premature; “Healthy People” and March of Dimes 2020

38 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities prematurity birth percentage targets. A December 17, 2014 Pew Research Center Report found that among lower-tier income Health inequity strategies are a core families, the net worth has decreased 18 function for “systems change” and percent since 1983, while the upper tier collaboration increased their net worth by 101 percent.

“Of all forms of inequality, injustice in Similar to the infant mortality rate by zip health is the most shocking and inhumane.” code gradient (See Appendix Table number — Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 2, Page 50), when life expectancy and household poverty are mapped there exists a Racial health disparity is not as severe as visual correlation of low life expectancy with it appears. Achieving health equity is our high poverty. A neighborhood’s health is not challenge. As noted above, Cincinnati’s simply an aggregation of individual deaths poverty rate calculated by U.S. Census or due to factors that affect the health of Bureau is 34 percent, twice the Ohio rate individuals, but rather involves social and (15 percent), and one of the highest rates other conditions of living. (7) nationally. The child poverty rate in 2012 was 53 percent. Several neighborhoods in The University of Cincinnati has published a Cincinnati are home to high concentrations of report titled “The Social Areas of Cincinnati: poverty – in some neighborhoods as high as An Analysis of Social Needs, Patterns for 80 percent of households are impoverished. Five Census Decades,” Fifth Edition 2013 In a study presented in the New York (8). The report’s census tract specific analysis Times on July 22, 2013, Cincinnati ranked included a socioeconomic status classification 650th out of 728 markets for upward index based on five indicators: education (less social mobility. The nation’s areas with than a high school education), median family greater upward social mobility had five income; occupation (percent of workers in characteristics: less segregation, less income unskilled or semi-skilled occupations); family inequality, better schools, greater social structure (percent of children under the age capital, and more stable families. of 18 years living in married-couple family

Health 39 households), and crowding (percent of housing graph below documents that differences in units with more than one person per room). neighborhood’s social environment reflect vulnerable ecology deficiencies – health Cincinnati Health Department staff used inequities – among different neighborhoods. the socioeconomic status classification The possible factors that may contribute to index to create a composite “Social Area the differences are: Score” that included the department’s life 1. Socioeconomic status: education, expectancy findings. The Social Area Score employment, and income;

40 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities 2. Built environment: housing, water, and projects: The Banks, Interstates 71 and air quality; 75, MLK Exchange, academic health and 3. Access to health care; hospital centers, Over-the-Rhine, and the 4. Healthy food systems; Metropolitan Sewer District, to name a few. 5. Genetics; These infrastructure construction projects 6. Culture and acculturation; have a projected duration of several decades, 7. Discrimination: race, class, gender, and and provide workers with a median salary of sexual orientation; $43,000. An equitable representation on the 8. Adverse social conditions aforementioned projects’ workforce would catapult many families out of minimum- Extreme inequality reduces quality of life, wage poverty and into a middle-class life expectancy, and social cohesion. income level within two years. The health and development impact of this workforce There’s is no one “Theory of Everything” inclusion component will truly manifest approach to attaining health equity, but itself in greater social equity and movement consistent with the American Public Health towards health for all in Cincinnati. Association’s “health in all policies” campaign, we believe that there is a feasible pathway New York City increased its life expectancy to social equity for Cincinnati. This pathway from 78 years in 2002 to 81 years in 2012. We is through more equitable representation of should expect that an economic infrastructure Cincinnati residents among the workforce that workforce transformation could produce is doing construction projects in Cincinnati. similar gains in life expectancy and quality of life for Cincinnati. The upper limit to the bottom quintile of household income is $17,000; poverty Decision makers in social services and rate for a family of four is $23,850. The health systems need a health equity lower limit for the middle household framework income quintile, known as the gateway to Advancing health equity is not primarily the middle class, is $38,000. The City of about equality; it is about fairness and Cincinnati is booming with construction creating opportunities to be healthy.

Health 41 The health outcomes of African-Americans Cincinnati without social justice interventions as well as of the general population are outside the health care setting, programs greatly determined by other factors, and efforts that eliminate health and human including where the person lives, their underdevelopment and social inequities. income and education, their healthcare provider experiences, and by human service Conclusion agency decision makers who are responsible Achieving a social equity pathway: for the appropriation of resources. “Improving the health of Americans and eliminating health inequities will require a Cincinnati’s ability to benefit from available seamless integration of public health, with grants, capital improvement projects, and its focus on population and clinical medicine, revenue opportunities is determined by with its focus on the individual. The whether resources are allocated or withheld present unfortunate emphasis and funding by decision makers. Consider the Hamilton of clinical medicine must be reversed and County Indigent Care Tax Levy funds, investments must be made in primary Needle Exchange Harm Reduction program, health care and local public health services.” and the STD-HIV grant for contact tracing. — Linda Rae Murray, MD, MPH, chief medical officer, Cook County, Illinois Interact For Health’s Greater Cincinnati Department of Public Health Community Health Surveys have documented that opinions about community social We have presented a public health support vary by race, as well as a link intervention, a surveillance, and care between physical health and economic coordination model that expands on security (9). Eliminating health inequities the demonstrated Cincinnati Health is a daunting challenge, but one that must Department-University of Cincinnati be addressed by agencies’ chief executives, Medical Center infant mortality rate boards of trustees, and executive suite improvement experience. And we have decision makers. Programs administered sought to advance the understanding that with a health equity framework do make a evidence-based strategies do not simply difference. Health disparities will not end in collect “data,” but develop programs that use

42 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities the data to qualitatively improve maternal 4. Hold health care institutions more and infant health. accountable for measurable changes in community outcomes. Quality improvement We understand that the top barriers to efforts at low-performing hospitals could health equity are exposure to violence; produce a colossal benefit in eliminating access to transportation to employment health disparities in key indicators such and service agencies; access to child care as infant mortality rates. Reduce elective services; a job that pays a living wage; deliveries. Don’t perform elective deliveries poverty; and the lack of diversity and social before the 39th week of gestation without a justice orientation by top decision makers. medical reason. Currently, U.S. insurance companies reimburse hospitals for neonatal Recommendations intensive care unit care. We should also What must be done to achieve health equity provide incentives for hospitals, providers, across all of Cincinnati? and client-community stakeholders to prevent early births. 1. A commitment to support activities that 5. The stakeholder entities for improvements operate to eliminate health inequities must in maternal and infant vitality must partner be developed by governing bodies, boards of in a coordinated cooperative manner along trustees, and key decision makers. with client and parent groups. 2. Home visitation, care coordination, and 6. The Affordable Care Act’s expansion of surveillance works (10). Locally, the efficacy public and private insurance must not of home visitation in reducing infant be curtailed. Consistent coverage beyond mortality has been documented with a Medicaid ensures that women receive vital decade of evidence by Every Child Succeeds pre-conceptual coverage to improve their and most recently by the Cincinnati Health health even when they are not pregnant. Department’s First Steps Program. 7. Cincinnati’s poverty rate must be reduced 3. Institutionalize home visitation and care to no greater than 15 percent of the overall coordination protocols, hospital discharge and child populations. This reduction can protocols, and protocols for education be accomplished through access of parents interventions. to living wage employment; appropriate

Health 43 education, quality preschool care and summary, eliminating health inequities in education for all children, decreased infant vitality and developing pathways out grade retention and dropout rate; job of poverty are daunting challenges, but ones preparedness training, apprenticeships, that must be confronted by public health. and opportunity; guaranteed income floor The responsibility falls especially on those that isn’t below livable wage rate for city health departments situated in low social employees or businesses that contract economic urban communities. with the city; creation of a master plan for moving families out of poverty; and “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.” determining and providing solutions — Fannie Lou Hamer to the root causes of racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities. References (1) “Essentials of Public Health 2007,” The Infant Vitality Surveillance Network Jones and Bartlett, Publishers; First Steps public health model — which Bernard J. Turnock, Editor includes interventions that addresses environmental, economic, and social factors, (2) Health Equity Definition – The absence and takes into account the community’s of systematic disparities in health based values — has produced a community-city on social disadvantage or advantage. It wide impact. We have presented evidence is when everyone has the opportunity to that this model can achieve health equity in “attain their full potential” and no one infant vitality. Moreover, the public health is disadvantaged from achieving this model has the potential to impact maternal potential because of their social position and infant populations on a large scale or other determined circumstance.” See through systemic and structural change. also Maseru, N. “Advancing Health Equity through Public Health Policies” in Secondly, we have offered a case for social Community Engagement, Organization, equity – eliminating chronic poverty, and and Development for Public Health achieving a healthy Cincinnati for all. In Practice, F. Murphy Ed. 2012

44 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities (3) See Life Expectancy in Cincinnati agencies provide five interventions Compared to Ohio as a Whole, prepared to those mothers who reside in the by Camille Jones, M.D., MPH and target zip codes. The interventions are Justin Blackburn, Ph.D. Complete data safe sleep, assuring the patient has a is available on the Cincinnati Health medical home, depression screening, Department’s website www.cincinnati- enrollment in the Women, Infants, oh.gov/health/ and Children (WIC) federal nutrition program, and breast feeding education. (4) The First Steps Program is a partnership that connects with mothers The third component is increased and their babies in the targeted 19 access to education and care. Expectant zip codes, regardless of income or mothers receive prenatal care, including insurance status, and provides access information on quitting smoking, drug/ to health services, pre-natal and alcohol abuse, and proper nutrition. postpartum health education, care New mothers receive standardized coordination, and home visitation. education on safe sleep habits, domestic violence prevention, and breastfeeding The first component of the First Steps techniques. Postpartum mothers are Program is surveillance — data collection assured home visits from a community and analysis. health worker or skilled nurse as well as depression screening and assistance The second component is the with any transportation issues and coordination of care across all doctor’s appointments. health partners including hospitals, community health centers, home (5) The Cincinnati Health Department is visitation agencies, and Cincinnati a participant in the Ohio Institute for Health Department. The participating Equity in Birth Outcomes, referred hospitals (University of Cincinnati to as the Ohio Equity Institute (OEI). Medical Center and The Christ Cincinnati’s health department is in Hospital), and the home visitation the company of eight other local health

Health 45 departments in Ohio, all of which education, social justice, and civic are committed to working with our engagement. “State of Black America communities, taking steps to improve 2014. One Nation Underemployed: Jobs overall birth outcomes, and reduce the Rebuild America,” Page 14. racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality. Co-chairs are Lisa Holloway See also, the Gini Index – a measure of and Kelli Kohake. income inequality.

(6) See “Pediatrics,” March 2008 (8) “The Social Areas of Cincinnati: An Analysis of Social Needs,” Fifth Edition, (7) The United Nations Development 2013, Michael Maloney; Christopher Program (UNDP) established a human Auffrey; School of Planning, University development index (HDI) which of Cincinnati, United Way/University combines three indices: life expectancy at of Cincinnati Community Research birth, education, and a decent standard Collaborative. of living. In 2010 the index was adjusted to account for inequality: Inequality- (9) 2013 Greater Cincinnati Community adjusted Human Development Index. Health Status Survey. A series of The Economist: Pocket World in Figures, surveys commissioned by Interact For Pages 28 and 29, 2015 edition. Health and administered by Jennifer Chubinski. Complete survey results are The National Urban League available at www.interactforhealth.org/ established an Equality Index. The greater-cincinnati-community-health- index creates a statistical snapshot status-survey. of African-Americans annually and tracks any changes that have occurred (10) The District of Columbia expanded a since the index was created in 2004. home visitation program for pregnant The data is broken down into five women; the infant mortality rate broad categories: economics, health, dropped from 14.05 (2005) to 7.86 (2010).

46 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities The Sheppard-Towner Maternity and Infancy African-American mothers and babies. Act provided funds for local projects ultimately meant to lower the nation’s death rates at The Sheppard-Towner Maternity and Infancy birth. During the 1920s, Cincinnati was the Act research found there were different lone location in Ohio where a Sheppard- effects on white and non-white populations: Towner grant was used to fund care for

One standard deviation of IMR Reduction for Whites IMR Reduction for spending African-Americans Spending on Child’s Life 1.5/1000 No statistically significant effect Health and Sanitation 3.8/1000 No statistically significant effect Nursing Visits 1.2/1000 8.7/1000 Health Center Constructed 1.9/1000 8.4/1000 Prenatal letters 0.2/1000 No statistically significant effect

Health 47 Appendix: Tables Table 1

48 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Table 1 (continued)

Health 49 Table 2

50 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Table 3

Health 51 Table 4

52 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Table 5

Health 53 Table 6

54 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Table 7

Noble A-W Maseru, Ph.D., M.P.H., is the Health Commissioner for the City of Cincinnati Health Department, a position he has held since February 2006.

Health 55 People most affected by disparities in health must lead corrective effort

By Dwight Tillery In the city, African-American men live an average of 63.8 years, exactly 10 years Health disparities are well documented and less than white men. Black women live an have been a persistent social justice issue average of 72.4 years, white women 79 years. in this nation for more than 100 years. By its own admission, the U.S. Government National rates for harmful conditions revealed that it had tracked the health of and diseases are mirrored in Cincinnati. all citizens and knew full well of the great African-Americans are 40 percent more disparities that existed among minority likely to be obese than non-Hispanic whites, populations. with a 30-percent increased risk for heart disease and a 60-percent increased risk for Booker T. Washington discussed the diabetes. It is clear that African-Americans deficiencies in Negro health in 1895 at the and Latinos in Greater Cincinnati bear the Atlanta Exposition meeting. In 1899, W.E.B. burden of sickness and premature death Du Bois, in his book called the “Philadelphia from health disparities as defined by 10 Negro: A Social Study,” wrote a preventable risk factors and diseases. psychological study of Negroes that included their health. In 1903, Du Bois discussed the In this area, the nonprofit Center for Closing declining health of Negros post-slavery in the Health Gap in Greater Cincinnati, his book “The Souls of Black Folk.” founded in 2004, focuses on two of these health factors: obesity, as it provides a Fast-forward to today in Cincinnati. predisposition to chronic illnesses; and infant mortality, because Hamilton County

56 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities has the highest rate of black babies dying Health, as it is, is a combination of internal before their first birthday in the nation. The and external factors coming together to infant mortality rate for African-Americans impact the individual and the community. in the county is 18.4 per 1,000 live births, The existing health inequities must be compared to 5.5 for whites. addressed through a holistic approach that recognizes the needs of the individual The causes of the existing health inequities and the needs of the community. Health go beyond the basic level of accessing quality equality will remain elusive as long as well- health care. intended social and health organizations and governments continue the utilization In fact, access to quality health care of a top-down approach. Health disparities only accounts for 20 percent of the social are often driven by the social conditions in determinants of health. which people live, learn, work, and play.

Thirty percent of these determinants are The demand for healthier lives must come behavioral, such as tobacco use, alcohol and from and be led by those who are directly drug use, diet and exercise, and sexual activity. impacted. The responsibility of health organizations and governments is to Ten percent of what determines good or collaborate with the populations that are bad health is attributed to the physical most impacted. Unfortunately, too many environment of communities, such as the organizations are involved only until grant quality of air and water, and the housing funds are depleted. The effort disappears and transit conditions. when the grant money dries up. This cycle leaves the minority populations in the exact The largest category of social determinants position from which they started. In order to of health is the social and economic factors have long-term sustainability, the impacted that account for 40 percent of one’s overall communities must take the lead and own health quality. These factors include the process to address barriers within their education, employment, income, family and communities, such as access to healthy social support, and community safety. foods. Through addressing barriers such as

Health 57 this, our vulnerable populations can make Our approach is to engage and empower strides to changing their health. African-Americans, Latinos, and white Appalachians to live healthier lives by A 2012 report by the National Urban developing solutions through Community League Policy Institute (underwritten by Based Participatory Research (CBPR). We Walgreens Corporation) found that African- also initiate solutions at the policy level, and Americans have higher levels of illness, collaborate with health care organizations disability, and death, and continue to pay to develop and implement evidence-based a disproportionately high price for health interventions and innovative programs to disparities. African-Americans account for deliver our mission. $54.9 billion of the total $82.2 billion in health care costs and lost productivity. The Our community-driven prevention strategy cost of health disparities is simply too high. then informs the implementation of our interventions. Here at home, the Center for Closing the Health Gap’s mission is to lead the effort to The Do Right! Health Campaign, founded in eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities 2008, has reached 20,000 people to reduce in Greater Cincinnati through advocacy, family obesity. The Block-by-Block Model education, and community outreach. of lifestyle modification has expanded to 36 households in Mount Auburn. The Healthy Our work is based on the principle that the Corner Store Network consists of 17 stores people most affected by health disparities in nine neighborhoods that have increased must lead the movement. People living in their stock of fresh fruit and vegetables. The low-income neighborhoods will formulate Health Gap’s signature event is the Health their interventions and own their progress. Expo, now held annually in Washington Our Grassroots Mobilization Model engages, Park in Over-the-Rhine. Since its origin in advocates, and empowers community 2003, the expo has reached 60,000 people movement to build a culture of health. and provided 22,500 free health screenings.

58 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities For more information on the above programs and others, please go to the Health Gap’s website, ClosingtheHealthGap.org.

Dwight Tillery is founder, president, and chief executive officer of the Center for Closing the Health Gap. He became the first African-American popularly elected as Cincinnati mayor in 1991.

Health 59 Affordable Care Act will work if newly insured focus on prevention

By Roosevelt Walker III on statistics from 2011 — that the infant mortality rate for Ohio was the fifth worst in Several months ago, The Cincinnati the country. Moreover, the infant mortality Enquirer posed the question: “Will rate for African-American infants in Ohio Obamacare swamp minority physicians with was the worst in the country. African- patients?” May I say that African-American Americans have higher cancer rates than physicians do not view our service to the any other racial or ethnic group. We have African-American community as a burden. the highest incidence of stomach, liver, On the contrary, it is a privilege for us to prostate, and colon cancers. African- serve African-American patients, be they American women are 40 percent more affluent or indigent. likely to die from breast cancer than white females. African-American adults are twice As physicians, we are acutely aware of the as likely to develop diabetes. The Latino discrepancies in health care, which continue population, as well, has higher rates of to adversely affect African-American and obesity, diabetes, and cancer of the cervix other underrepresented minority populations. than the non-Hispanic white population. However, with the implementation of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, we As of March 2015, the U.S. Department of can now systematically address the causes of Health and Human Services reported that the discrepancies. 2.3 million African-American adults and 4.3 million Latino adults had gained coverage The statistics are daunting. The Centers under Obamacare, not to mention 6.6 for Disease Control announced — based million white adults.

60 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities To ensure the success of the Affordable centered care.” Even when medical care can Care Act, the newly insured must now be provided to underrepresented minority become active participants in their health populations, treatment can be inadequate care. The focus is now on prevention of the and ineffective if there is a cultural disconnect severe complications of medical illnesses. between patients and providers. Our mission is to empower our patients and help them understand that they Shifting a portion of the health care must take responsibility for their health. focus to preventative care through We want to keep patients healthy and community awareness and education will functional and avoid hospital admissions. be an important component to ensuring Patients must choose a primary care the success of the Affordable Care Act. provider and make appointments to see In addition, it is incumbent upon U.S. their providers at regularly scheduled medical schools to increase the numbers appointments. This requirement also means of African-American physicians in this scheduling appointments for colonoscopy country because, “the ability of the health screening for colon cancer, prenatal care, care workforce to address disparities will Pap smears, mammograms, screening for depend on its future cultural competence prostate cancer, well-child examinations, and diversity.” U.S. medical schools must and childhood immunizations. President become as diligent and committed in their Obama’s Affordable Care Act provides efforts to recruit African-American medical coverage for all of these services. school faculty, residents, and medical students as the athletic departments at Achieving diversity in the health care their respective universities are in the workforce must also become a priority in order recruitment of African-American athletes. to insure the success of the Affordable Care Act. The Department of Health and Human Roosevelt Walker III, MD, is president the Services stated that “diversity in the health Cincinnati Medical Association. care workforce is a key element of patient-

Health 61 62 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities “What happens in early childhood… serves as the foundation for future learning.”

EDUCATION Cincinnati Schools must help black students move beyond dream

By Vanessa Y. White At some level, a slight decline in performance was to be expected. That The expansion of accountability policies in year was the second under Ohio’s new education has led to proliferation of publicly accountability system, which state officials available data. Each year, the school claim is more transparent and detailed than district and the community await the Ohio in past years. In that regard, Cincinnati Department of Education’s school report Public anticipated it would see some card results and weigh them as the measure slippage from the mix of Cs, Ds, and Fs of how well our schools and our youth are it had previously obtained as it adjusted doing. to new methods of accountability. The district’s high point was a C for its overall Overall, the news was not complimentary. performance index, which is a calculation According to an August 2014 article in The that measures student performance on the Cincinnati Enquirer, the latest state report Ohio Achievement Assessments and Ohio indicates that during the 2013-2014 school Graduate Tests in the third, fourth, fifth, year, only 15 of Southwest Ohio’s 49 school sixth, seventh, eighth, and 10th grades. The districts avoided Ds and Fs on their state score was the highest of any of the seven report card, a worse performance than the other large urban districts across the state. previous year when 19 districts avoided Ds and Fs. Cincinnati Public Schools received It is important to note that despite this almost straight Fs. A few districts, including year’s dip, gains have been steady over the Mason and Wyoming, got nearly straight As. course of the past five years and that a great

64 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities deal of hard work and unceasing effort at The four-year graduation rate for Cincinnati the district- and school-buildings level have Public is 73.6 percent, compared to the made that possible. However, the intensity state average of 82.2 percent. Of the 17,000 with which the community responds to these students who do not attend Cincinnati latest results will determine the level of Public schools, 8,100 attend charter schools; success going forward. Certainly, a greater they are publicly funded primary and sense of urgency will be required than has secondary schools that operate under a accompanied the results to date. The entire contract with the state that exempts them community must move beyond simply taking from some of the laws that apply to other notice of an annual news story about the public schools. The remaining students state report card. It must provide sustained attend private and parochial schools. focus on the state of K-12 education in Cincinnati, the quality of the education that students are receiving, and how prepared they are when they graduate.

This focus is particularly necessary for African-American students who tend to lag behind other students, especially when black students are living in poverty.

Nearly 50,000 school-age children live in the city of Cincinnati. About 33,000 students, preschool to 12th grade, attend Cincinnati Public’s 55 schools — 39 elementary, 12 secondary, and four K-12 buildings. The question that needs to be asked by the community and families is whether K-12 Of the 33,000 students, about 63 percent systems are truly delivering on the dream of are African-American, and 73.4 percent are African-American students gaining access from economically disadvantaged families. to a quality education — which is still the

Education 65 ticket to an enhanced quality of life and Fortunately, new data are being tracked a promising future. This accountability is that provide a basis for this higher level of especially important as school districts are community scrutiny. One insight is the level turning to the public for more resources of focused attention being given to improving and increased support to implement new the schools where most African-American and reforms. The community must take greater low-income students attend. For instance, direct authority and responsibility for according to an education working group, a determining what resources need to shift limited number of transformational schools and what approaches need to be pursued. in the city serve those who need it most. Of the seven schools in Cincinnati that the A K-12 education is compulsory, so we know group labeled high-performing, only two serve these children are held accountable for at- predominantly low-income students. This fact tending school. However, the community’s means that too few students from families expectations must exceed that requirement. of modest economic means are receiving the Indeed, they must go beyond even what educations that they deserve. Indeed, only the state reports on an annual basis. The 2 of 10 students in Cincinnati who attend question is this: Is the quality of the K-12 a district or charter school are at a high- education our students are receiving worthy performing school. That math means some of supporting the community’s hopes for 31,000 are in medium- or low-quality schools. its youth? The community must demand Some schools are on the cusp of meeting the evidence of whether the K-12 education definition of high-performing but fall short due our students receive adequately prepares to the state’s value-added growth measure. It them for college or career in a manner that looks at the difference between measures of motivates them. the student’s achievement from year to year.

66 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Another set of assessment metrics the community needs to understand with greater clarity are related to where students end up when they leave the K-12 system. The imperative of a post-secondary education beyond a high school diploma has become more pronounced over the past decade. Residents with higher levels of education – from a one-year credential to a two-year degree to a baccalaureate degree – are more likely to be employed and earn more money, according to the United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Bold

Education 67 Goals, 2014. However, the strategies to According to Cincinnati Public Schools ensure that African-American and other data, the majority of Cincinnati Public urban students are academically successful school graduates attend the University of beyond high school have not kept pace. By Cincinnati — and most of them go to its 2020, 64 percent of Ohio jobs will require Blue Ash campus — and Cincinnati State a post-secondary credential, according to Technical and Community College. Ohio Means Jobs, 2014. Currently, only 36 percent of Cincinnati residents, 25 years Indeed, the vision is that every student and older, have some college or earned a in Cincinnati graduates from high school bachelor’s or associate degree. prepared for success in college and career. The reality is that in order to transform The community must pay greater attention education outcomes in Cincinnati, an to understanding where Cincinnati children environment of high expectations and go to college. How prepared are they to greater demand and support needs to be succeed when they get there? Do they created. That process means all local colleges persist to earn a degree? And if they do, and universities must be accessible to all does it lead to a promising career? These are children and that success becomes the questions the community should be asking inevitable achievement. The current rates of so that we can discuss needed solutions. The remediation suggest that this is not the case. data that provide answers to these questions is sketchy, though some clues exist. For Here are supporting statistics for 613 first- starters, while not much difference shows time college students who graduated from in the graduation rate between African- Cincinnati Public Schools: American and whites, blacks students still • Percent of entering students enrolling in lag behind. a public university or university regional campus: 83. See: http://reportcard.education. • Percent of entering students enrolling in ohio.gov/Pages/District-Report. a community college: 17. aspx?DistrictIRN=043752 • Percent of entering students taking developmental math or English: 44.

68 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities • Percent of entering students taking how to accelerate improvement and raise developmental math: 39. achievement must be sparked and sustained. • Percent of entering students taking developmental English: 15. More important, the conversation must • Percent of entering students taking move to the development of realistic developmental math and English: 11. strategies that are endorsed by and driven by community stakeholders. Our The economic stability of individuals, K-12 schools must continue to set new families, and region depends on delivering expectations as they move forward with a high-quality education that leads to a programs that engage the entire community promising career for African-Americans in the success of our young people. Local and other urban youths. Good local jobs universities have to create a new normal of exist. Even though 46 percent of the city’s being ready to embrace students at various population is African-American, the region’s stages of academic preparation in order to top companies lack diversity in their retain them and graduate them. workforce at the most skilled levels. Not all these jobs require a college degree, but Cincinnati Public Schools has put some all do require strong skill sets, and some excellent strategies in place, such as post-secondary credentials. Significant dual enrollment courses in partnership opportunities for work and income exist with Cincinnati State. What should not inside city and county borders, but less than go unnoticed is its newest initiative, My 25 percent of city jobs are taken by city Tomorrow. My Tomorrow touts itself as a residents, according to the Cincinnati USA future-focused vision for education. The Regional Chamber, 2012. Stubborn gaps district envisions that within six years 100 remain in the urban core, where poverty and percent of all seventh graders will graduate unemployment rates are higher than in the from high school prepared to actively pursue region as a whole. their chosen career path. The initiative, which combines increased rigor and the Where to go from here latest technology, claims that it reimagines An audible community conversation about schools in such a way that it believes will

Education 69 fuel an enhanced educational experience. It which help decide how the school operates; bases its necessity on the fact that the world Instructional Leadership Teams, which help in general, and the workforce in particular, decide what curriculum gets taught; and the continue to change rapidly. Budget Commission, which helps decide how the money gets spent. There’s more. According to Education Trust, an education advocacy organization, some Meira Levinson, an author with the Harvard schools across the nation are educating University Graduate School of Education, African-American students to high levels has said, “Citizens with low or moderate of achievement. In 2012, at George Hall incomes speak with a whisper that is lost on Elementary School in Mobile, Alabama — the ears of inattentive government, while where 99 percent of students are African- the advantaged roar with the clarity and American — 94 percent of the fifth-graders consistency that policy-makers readily heed.” exceeded state math standards, and 73 percent did so in reading. No less should be expected of Nearly every parent and caregiver aspire to African-American students in Cincinnati. see their children achieve academically. The benefits of that transformation will go far Including students and families in beyond grades on the state’s annual report decisions that govern their lives and their card. They will translate into the lifelong futures must be the rule, compared to success of our community and the overall labeling parents for not being present. economic stability of the region. Our schools do not always provide a welcoming environment for parents and Vanessa Y. White is a former member of the the community. Cincinnati School Board Cincinnati School Board, where she served policies dictate participation through as vice president and on the finance and Local School Decision Making Councils, policy committees.

70 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Black students at greater risk for suspension, expulsion

By Eileen Cooper Reed I served on the Cincinnati Board of Education for two terms – eight years. Much has been written about the school-to- During that time, the board asked me prison pipeline. Simply put, students who are to represent it on the Council for Great suspended or expelled tend to miss too many City Schools. The council commissioned days of school, are more likely to be truant, the staff to investigate the achievement, are less likely to achieve, and are more likely or lack thereof, of black male students to drop out, and end up with delinquency and across this country. The initial result of criminal records. School disciplinary policies that investigation was “A Call for Change: and practices can certainly contribute to Providing Solutions for Black Male this phenomenon. In some instances, school Achievement” (2012). An important part discipline processes push a student directly of the work included whether, and to what into the juvenile justice system, for example, extent, disparate disciplinary treatment of a school fight resulting in an arrest. African-American males was occurring and contributing to black male student failure. In light of the recent tragic deaths of Michael The report found significant differences in Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and, closer the incidence and severity of discipline for to home, John Crawford III, in a Walmart black male students even when there was store in Beavercreek, Ohio, we are devoting no real objective difference in the behavior this article to investigating the effects displayed by them and white students. of suspension and expulsion on African- American students — in general — and That finding is also strongly supported by specifically in Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS). most of the recent research on disparities,

Education 71 including that completed by researchers In fact, a report completed by the U.S. with The Equity Project at Indiana Department of Education reveals that University, which also suggests more disciplinary disparities begin as early as targeted research and investment: preschool. While black children constitute • Students of color, especially African- only 18 percent of public preschoolers, American males and students with they comprise almost half of the students disabilities, are at higher risk for suspended. And, according to the Discipline suspension and expulsion, and such Disparities Collaborative in a March 2014 disparities impact females of color as well. report, “New research continues to find no • Out-of-school suspension, expulsion, and evidence that use of out-of-school suspension school-based arrests place students who and expulsion is due to poverty or higher are disproportionately represented at rates of misbehavior among black and increased risk of a variety of negative Hispanic/Latino students — rather, available school and life outcomes, including evidence continues to show that students of academic disengagement, dropout rates, color are removed from school for similar or and incarceration. lesser offenses compared to their peers.” • Promising systemic interventions that reduce exclusionary discipline Frankly, it is shocking to me that these results are emerging, but we need to create occur and that we are not so imminently interventions and practices that motivated to change what is happening. specifically target reduction in Why should suspension even be an option for disciplinary disparities. pre-schoolers? Nevertheless, the data clearly • New investments and commitment to indicates that significant strategies exist all understand the extent of, and reasons along the public school route and that they for, disparities for some groups, and start as young as 3 years of age. interventions and practices that create greater equity are needed if we are to And though we know that black males suffer address African-American student success. the most stark differences when it comes to

72 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities addressing their in-school behavior, black girls are also far ahead of their counterparts in both the incidence and severity of disciplinary action. A 2014 report completed by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the National Women’s Law Center found that “overly punitive disciplinary practices… disproportionately push African-American girls out of school and increase their involvement with the juvenile justice system.”

U.S. Department of Education data shows that during the 2011-2012 school year, approximately 1 of 8 African-American girls were suspended in pre-K through 12th grade. This rate was six times the rate for white girls, “higher than any other group of girls and also higher than white, Asian and Latino boys,” according to the NAACP report. So, while the current trends tend to dwell on our male children of color, conditions in our schools clearly indicate that we need to investigate what’s happening to both our African-American male and female students when we discuss disciplinary disparities.

Education 73 The local story also did an analysis of the eight large urban Before analyzing Cincinnati Public Schools districts. The subsequent report concluded data to see how African-American students that the disparity in the largest urban district have fared, let’s see what going on in the ranged from 1.9 to 13.3 (Cincinnati’s was the state of Ohio. In 2012, the Children’s Defense latter number). Fund’s Ohio office completed an investigation of the disparities in out-of-school suspension “Overall, the disparity factor is 4.0, rates between black and white students somewhat higher than the national across the state. The Children’s Defense Fund average,” the report reads. As usual, Ohio is

74 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities a bellwether state and is uncanny in some of African-American students comprise a its statistical reflections of the nation. majority in the Cincinnati Public Schools at approximately 63 percent of the student With regard to Cincinnati Public Schools, we population. Almost 26 percent of students might get a basic handle on its demographics. are white. According to the Ohio Department of Education, the district’s enrollments for the One of the ways to compare disciplinary last three years were: 28,719 in 2011-2012; actions experienced by students of different 29,959 in 2012-2013; and 30,421 in 2014. races is to measure the disciplinary actions

Cincinnati Public School Enrollment by Race and Gender Race Gender 2011- % total 2013- % total 2013- % total 2012 enroll. 2014 enroll. 2014 enroll. Asian Female 157 .5% 182 .6% 205 .7% Male 111 .4% 143 .5% 162 .5% Black Non- Female 9,423 32.8% 9,554 31.9% 9,555 31.4% Hispanic Male 9,345 32.5% 9.618 32.1% 9,712 31.9% Hispanic Female 416 1.4% 508 1.7% 557 1.8% Male 432 1.5% 519 1.7% 597 2.0% Amer. Ind. Female 10 .0% 14 .0% 23 .1% Alaska Male 0 0 0 0 18 .0% Native Multi- Female 788 2.7% 848 2.8% 888 2.9% racial Male 769 2.7% 842 2.8% 882 2.9% Pacific Female 0 0 13 .0% 15 .0% Islander Male 0 0 11 .0% 14 .0% White Non- Female 3,600 12.5% 3,783 12.6% 3,904 12.8% Hispanic Male 3,654 12.7% 3,915 13.1% 3,885 12.8%

Data compiled from ODOE Education 75 per 100 students in a district. When doing be disciplined in 2014 than white males, black so for that, here is what the data says about females were more than twice as likely to be African-American and white students: disciplined as white males. The disparities are stark and the trends consistent. The chart visibly depicts the considerable difference between black and white students The disparate trends are even more evident enrolled in Cincinnati Public. Not only were when we consider the number of out-of- black male students four times more likely to school suspensions per 100 students by race.

76 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities CPS Out-of-School Suspensions by Race male and female, with 107 incidents per and Gender Per 100 students 100 black male students in 2014 being the 2011- 2012- 2013- highest. On the other hand, though the rate 2012 2013 2014 of out-school-suspensions appears low, the difference between black and white students Black Male 4.7 3.8 2.5 is quite extraordinary. Black Female 2.6 1.8 1.3 White Male .5 .5 .7 The Cincinnati Public Schools approach White Female .3 .2 .1 As most school districts do, Cincinnati Public has a code of conduct which There is good news here. You can see that enumerates guidelines for expected student in each of these three years, the rate of behavior and possible actions to use when suspensions decreases for all students, infractions may occur. The code is reviewed except white male students in 2013-2014. annually and modified as needed. I am not The other news is that the disparities are attempting to analyze or assess the code even more pronounced here. Black males but documenting it as the basis on which are greater than nine times more likely to discipline is administered. receive an out-of-school suspension than white males, and black females are at least About 10 years ago, a district-wide five times more likely than white males. discipline committee formed to “discuss Similar to the male comparison statistics, solutions to a growing problem of black females are almost nine times more suspensions and expulsions,” according likely to be suspended than their white to Mayerson Academy documents. After counterparts. These statistics reveal that researching other models across the nation, though black children are more prone to be the Cincinnati Board of Education adopted disciplined generally, they are particularly the Positive School Culture model. apt to be disciplined more severely. “A primary goal of (the positive model) is So, in the first instance, disciplinary actions to avoid suspensions and keep children in occur far too often against black students, school,” Mayerson Academy documents

Education 77 read. The implementation of the positive Recommendation model by high schools have resulted in a Based on this cursory analysis of data and much lower rate of disciplinary actions. At my previous experience on the Discipline one elementary school, Roselawn Condon, Committee and Board, I only have one incidents that would have resulted in recommendation: suspension dropped from 75 to four with the leadership of a new principal and faithful No one person can resolve the myriad issues implementation of the positive model. A related to the disciplinary disparities that somewhat smaller districtwide discipline exist in Cincinnati Public. I recommend committee still convenes to monitor the district convene another districtwide disciplinary actions and processes. discipline committee with a specific charge, among others, to mine the data more deeply Alternative to Suspension (A2S) and to determine where the specific problems Alternative to Expulsion (A2E) are exist; review the code of conduct thoroughly; key components in the implementation of gain an understanding of Positive School Positive School Culture. When students are Culture — what works, what doesn’t and not operating successfully at the school site, why; assess cultural competencies of staff; they are referred to one of these programs. and, finally, make recommendations to the A2S and A2E purport to provide academic board that might relieve the disparities instruction, counseling and social skill that exist. The committee should represent instruction to students who attend. a cross-section of Cincinnati Public Schools and the community. I highly recommend While the positive model appears to have including students in some way. had some overall impact on disciplinary actions and suspension, it seems to have Eileen Cooper Reed is a retired attorney and had little impact on the disparity between former two-term member of the Cincinnati black and white students. The ability to Board of Education, where she served as board implement the code of conduct and Positive president in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013. School Culture effectively is one potential key to addressing the disparities that exist.

78 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Quality education, care before age 6 set foundation for success

By Stephanie Wright Byrd programs, such as child care, preschool, and Head Start; an important measures of “It’s easier to build strong children than to health – infant mortality; the significant repair broken men.” underlying influence of being poor. — Frederick Douglass In keeping with Frederick Douglass’ This provocative statement from one of our principle, noted researchers such as Nobel nation’s foremost intellectuals on human Laureate economist James Heckman have rights and social reform sums up, in simple shown that investing in the early years of terms, the reason it is critically important to a child’s life will create better outcomes focus on the earliest years of an individual’s for the child in several areas: academic development. What happens in early performance, increased earning potential, childhood, from as early as the prenatal period less reliance on public assistance, and until 6 years of age, serves as the foundation reduced involvement in criminal activity. for future learning and development. Early learning opportunities create a strong foundation for future success. The This article focuses on the current state of community and larger society benefit from African-American children in Cincinnati, these early investments, too, in terms specifically children ages birth to age 6. of reduced costs in remedial and special Many factors influence the development and education, lower costs associated with public outlook for black children in our community. assistance and the justice system, and in- I am highlighting four: kindergarten creased revenue from higher earnings taxes. readiness; access to quality early learning These benefits outweigh the cost and are

Education 79 far greater than benefits from interventions playing field for children, many of them later in life. African-American, and limits them and our community from reaching their potential. Despite these proven facts and evidence that nearly 90 percent of brain development In its recent publication, “Being Black occurs in the first five years of life, the Is Not a Risk Factor: A Strengths-Based nation has inadequate policies and makes Look at the Sartre of the Black Child,” the insufficient investment in the education National Black Child Development Institute and development of young children in our provides a compilation of reports on the community. Early learning and development conditions of African-American children — when done with appropriate educational and their families — portraying enormous focus, sufficient financial support, and with strengths in the face of disparities in nurturing from trusted and caring parents or education, financial resources, health, and other caring adults — results in children who cultural inclusiveness. These articles point are more likely to thrive, grow, and become out the importance of focusing on the early positive contributors to their communities. years and the influence of multi-dimensional issues such as poverty, employment, and Here is the basis of work by the local access to quality early childhood education. United Way’s Success By 6 program and These conditions are present and influence its many partners – to improve the early the outcomes and performance of African- childhood system, encourage investments in American children in Cincinnati. programs that stimulate early learning and development, and to ensure that children Kindergarten readiness have access to high quality services so Data collected from the state’s Kindergarten they are ready to succeed when they begin Readiness Assessment – Literacy (KRAL) school. When done well for all children, shows progress has been made in the number we will achieve the community Bold of children who are ready for kindergarten. Goal of 85 percent of children prepared The assessment is a 29-point instrument that for kindergarten by 2020. In contrast, measures reading readiness. Local experts when not done well, it creates an uneven determined that a score of 19 indicates the

80 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities child is on track. In Cincinnati Public Schools And, in fact, more than 90 percent of the (CPS), kindergarten readiness increased from African-American kindergarteners were 44 percent in 2007 to 57 percent in 2013, low-income students. The average score on an increase of nearly 30 percent. This data their kindergarten entry assessment was illustrates that when children are prepared 18.6, compared to an average score of 24.2 for kindergarten, they are more likely to for white children in the “other-income” read proficiently in third grade. In fact, 91 category – a 23.2-percent difference. percent of kindergarteners in 2009 who scored between a 24 and 29 on the 29-point Additionally, there were 170 African- kindergarten entry assessment were also American children whose household income proficient or higher in reading when they made them ineligible for the lunch program. reached third grade in 2012. Eligibility for lunch program does not mean these children are affluent. In fact, once Yet the trends tell a different story for a family of three exceeds approximately African-American and low-income children in $36,100 in household income, they are the urban core. The gap in readiness between no longer eligible. Needless to say, “other these children and their white counterparts income” is a broad category that includes shows that income significantly influences families on both ends of the income readiness for low-income children. spectrum — from those nearly eligible for the lunch program to those who would be More than half — 59 percent — of the 3,100 considered wealthy. The average score of kindergarteners were African-American in “other income” African-American children Cincinnati Public Schools in 2013-2014, the was 21.4 — which places them above the most recent year for which data is available. “ready” mark — but with a 13-percent gap Seventy-seven percent of the children — from “other-income” white children. 2,400 — were low-income, meaning they qualified for the federal free- or reduced- Access to quality early learning programs priced lunch program. The largest percent Early learning programs have many names of low-income kindergarteners — almost 69 – child care, nursery school, preschool, and percent, or 1,660 — were African-American. Head Start. An important distinction among

Education 81 programs is their level of quality, which varies mind that 90 percent of African-American based on factors such as staff qualifications, kindergarteners in Cincinnati Public are class size and learning environment. It is low-income, the data show that with district- difficult to know if children have had a quality provided preschool, children from low-income preschool experience prior to kindergarten – households score 14 percent higher in school the data are not easy to collect, and the level readiness than low-income children who did of quality is often unknown. not attend. It’s likely that the gap is even higher if better identification of other quality State quality rating and improvement preschool participation. systems, such as Step Up to Quality in Ohio, help parents identify programs that The limited access to quality preschool, meet state quality standards. Still, in given its proven ability to increase a child’s Hamilton County, only 30 percent of eligible chance of success, is an unacceptable programs participate in this voluntary situation. State and federal funding for system. Extensive research indicates that these programs is inadequate to meet quality early learning makes a difference the need, resulting in an estimated 5,000 in school readiness for young children. This 3- and 4-year-old children being left out is evident in Cincinnati Public Schools in Cincinnati. At the same time, access to kindergarteners and particularly in low- the city’s Head Start program, operated by income children, where participation in the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community district’s high-quality preschool is a strong Action Agency, and serving only half of influencer of kindergarten readiness. eligible children, has been recently cut by almost 600 slots. The matter is made Of the 1,830 African-American children in worse by low eligibility levels for the state’s Cincinnati Public kindergarten in 2013, child-care subsidy, which is not available about 22 percent, or 410, were able to attend to families with incomes greater than 125 preschool in a district-operated program. The percent of the federal poverty level — vast majority, 1,238 children, did not attend $24,400 for a family of three. The inability its preschool, and their participation in other for children to participate in programs that programs was largely unknown. Keeping in will change the trajectory of their lives is

82 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities unacceptable and unjust. It is at the heart infant mortality are intensified when viewed of the advocacy efforts of Success By 6 and through the lens of poverty. the specific goal of the Preschool Promise, a local effort to make two years of preschool This section briefly looks at the prevalence available to all 3- and 4-year-old children. of poverty or growing up in a low-income As a community, do we want to build strong household for our community’s youngest children or repair broken men? citizens. Based on data from the American Community Survey, provided by the Institute Health for Policy Research at the University of Of the many health indicators that provide Cincinnati, there are 24,850 children under a window into the status of young children, the age of 6 in the city of Cincinnati; 52 none is as frustrating as the high rate of percent, or 12,854, are living poverty. infant mortality among African-American babies. The fact that black infants are less African-American children make up 47 likely to experience their first birthday is percent of the total population of children a startling commentary on lost potential. under the age of 6, but the poverty rate for Infant mortality not only tells us about the these children is 74 percent. Disparities in status of our youngest children, it gives us family poverty rates are also disturbing. as a general indication of the overall health of a community. According to the same data, 14,550 families with children under age 5 live in the city; This issue is covered in great detail in the 50 percent are African-American. While Health section of this report. the overall poverty rate is 45 percent for families with children under age 5, the rate Being poor jumps to 68 percent for African-American The impact of being poor or living in a families. On average, each month in 2014, low-income household are a common 66 percent of children under age 6 who denominator in each of the outcomes received Temporary Assistance for Needy described in this paper. Kindergarten Families (TANF) were African-American. readiness, access to quality pre-school, and Likewise, 78 percent of the children

Education 83 receiving the state’s subsidy for child care needed steps and improve the outcomes for were African-American. our children.

It may be stating the obvious to say that Community members are strong, adaptable, being poor is not an outcome. It’s a condition and have cultural pride and determination. that makes it difficult for many African- Families, schools, and organizations are American citizens to experience the benefits working together to find solutions. of being in this community and this country. For young children, it means having fewer In Cincinnati, many collective efforts experiences that enhance their development are at work, such as Success By 6. The and get them ready for school. It means philanthropic community, including the local fewer opportunities for early learning United Way, and the Greater Cincinnati programs that will assure they are reading Foundation, are focused on systemic issues at grade level. It means inadequate access to that have led to the undesirable outcomes health information for mothers, which could discussed earlier. An adage says that assure healthier birth outcomes and reduce “when you know better, you do better.” In infant mortality. It means having a playing Cincinnati, we have history of doing better. field that is uneven from the start. Know that we know full well about our children, let’s continue to do better. Conclusion The information presented in this article “Free the child’s potential and you will may lead one to believe that the status transform him into the world.” of African-American children in our — Maria Montessori community is bleak. Admittedly, significant obstacles exist that the entire community Stephanie Wright Byrd is executive director must rally to solve if we are to be the of Success By 6 with the United Way of great place we aspire to be. But, despite Greater Cincinnati. It is a national United the challenges and trends, it is important Way strategy in more than 350 cities across that we consider the resiliency of African- the country that works to improve school Americans and our community to take the readiness.

84 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities “Cincinnati lost 4,500 black owner-occupied homes fom 2005 to 2013. Every foreclosure represents a family that lost their savings, as well as their home.”

HOUSING Housing segregation isolates blacks in poor, high-crime neighborhoods

By Elizabeth Brown and Brandon Craig black residents between 2000 and 2010. The largest gains are seen in the The Cincinnati region is still among the northern Hamilton County jurisdictions 10 most racially segregated metropolitan of Colerain and Springfield townships, areas in the United States, according to the and the municipality of North College 2010 Census. The segregation measure is Hill. The more expensive suburbs of West trending down but very slowly. Chester and Mason in adjacent Butler and Warren counties to the north also Continuation of racial segregation patterns have seen an increase in black population, Unlike other major metropolitan areas in although not in numbers large enough the United States, Cincinnati has not been to represent a significant percent of the a significant destination for immigrants in population. The eastern and western sides more than 100 years, so living patterns are of Hamilton County have not seen the same still generally perceived as black and white. growth in black population and are still The metropolitan area is 15 percent African- overwhelmingly white. The black families American, according to 2010 Census data. moving out of the city tend to be higher Hamilton County is 26 percent African- income than those remaining and more American. And the city of Cincinnati is 45 likely to be married-couple households. percent African-American. While the region is still significantly Black population is slowly leaving segregated, a growing number of stable Cincinnati and moving to older suburbs integrated communities have been in Hamilton County. The city lost 9,000 established through time.

86 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities A study commissioned by the Cincinnatus could have a very small number of African- Association, based on the 2000 Census, Americans, but as long as they didn’t live found only 15 communities that had been close to each other the community would integrated for at least 20 years among have a low Dissimilarity Index. Using just Hamilton County’s 49 jurisdictions and the Dissimilarity Index, Boone County is Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods. But when the most “integrated” in the metro region the study was repeated based on the 2010 because the few African-Americans living Census, 28 communities had been racially there are scattered throughout the county. integrated for at least 20 years. The stability is important because a community may look So why have the traditional patterns integrated today but be in transition with of racial segregation survived so long? one race replacing another in a relatively Numerous factors affect where people live, short period of time — such as what including family income and affordability, happened in the Avondale neighborhood in and desire to be close to family and friends. the mid-20th century. However, one factor that still exists Greater Cincinnati’s ranking as one of the is housing discrimination. Housing nation’s most segregated is based on some- Opportunities Made Equal (HOME), the thing called the Dissimilarity Index. It private fair-housing agency that serves measures what percentage of households Greater Cincinnati, received 135 calls in that would have to move to be equally 2014 about potential illegal discrimination distributed throughout the region. based on race. HOME investigates the concerns, and, when supported by evidence, The Cincinnatus study of neighborhoods will assist the person in filing a formal legal defined “integrated” as not less than 10 complaint. Illegal housing discrimination percent and not more than 80 percent today is hard to prove because it is often African-American — plus a Dissimilarity subtle. Black applicants often are turned index of not more than 65. It is important away with a smile and told there are no to include the percentages of African- vacancies; white applicants are shown American population because a community vacant units. However, racial discrimination

Housing 87 is not always subtle. As recently as 2012, about a “Whites Only” sign on a swimming HOME helped a tenant file a complaint pool at his apartment complex.

88 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Loss of wealth and home ownership Survey, Cincinnati registered a loss of about Black wealth has been significantly reduced 4,500 black, owner-occupied homes from 2005 in Cincinnati, as well as throughout the to 2013. Every foreclosure represents a family United States, as a result of the loss of that lost their savings, as well as their home. homeownership during the foreclosure crisis that was a major part of the Great Recession. The effect on predominantly black According to the American Community neighborhoods is also significant. Foreclosed

Housing 89 properties stand vacant and bring down Another current barrier to homeownership values for all property in the area. According is that, after witnessing families and friends to the report “In the Shadow of the Mortgage lose everything in the foreclosure crisis, Meltdown: Taking Stock,” by the nonprofit many black residents who can afford to Working in Neighborhoods, 7 of the 10 purchase a home fear predatory lending Cincinnati neighborhoods with the highest and have a general distrust of banks. The number of foreclosure sales from 2006 to process of getting a mortgage and buying 2013 were predominately African-American. a home is seen as too complicated and not worth the risk. In 2014, the “Cincinnati/Hamilton County Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing As a result, in 15-county Greater Cincinnati, Choice” identified several barriers to black homeownership rates are 74.5 percent homeownership: Credit standards have for whites but 33.1 percent for African- tightened, making it more difficult to obtain Americans, according to the 2011 American a mortgage loan to purchase a home. Data Community Survey. that lenders are required to publicly report shows that potential black homebuyers in Neighborhood change Hamilton County face significantly higher The movement of middle-class black mortgage rejection rates than whites, families out of Cincinnati has led to greater regardless of their incomes. And when they concentrations of poverty in inner-city do get a mortgage, African-Americans are neighborhoods: 18 percent of Hamilton forced to accept a higher-cost loan. While not County residents are in poverty, and 30 denying that some individual discrimination percent of Cincinnati residents live in may exist, lenders say the difference is poverty. Public housing is primarily located primarily because African-Americans with in inner-city neighborhoods, and more solid incomes often have lower credit scores than 90 percent of Cincinnati Metropolitan and less savings or family help available for Housing Authority (CMHA) residents are a down payment. African-American.

90 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Families unable to access the limited Lookout. The overall city average is 76.7 years, supply of subsidized housing are forced into according to data collected and analyzed by the aging and often substandard properties. Cincinnati Health Department. Forty-three percent of residential housing in Cincinnati was built before 1939. The City of Cincinnati and nonprofit Overcrowding becomes more common community development corporations have because poverty forces people to double-up revitalization efforts underway to improve or house extended family members who housing and remove blight. However, otherwise would be homeless. It is difficult redevelopment has not always benefited to quantify the overcrowding because the residents of black neighborhoods. additional people in the household are unauthorized, and the original tenants face Several Cincinnati neighborhoods praised eviction if the landlord finds out. for their redevelopment successes have experienced an increase in white residents These predominantly black communities and, as housing prices have risen, a of concentrated poverty have a host of decrease in black population. Most notably, interrelated problems that impact the lives since 2000, Over-the-Rhine lost 1,400 of the residents and the children growing up black residents, Walnut Hills lost 1,300 there. Research clearly shows that where black residents, and Mount Auburn lost people live matters, affecting everything 1,500 black residents. At the same time, from exposure to crime, health, lifespan, and between 2000 and 2010, East Price Hill — educational opportunities. a neighborhood west of Downtown on bus lines and with a supply of inexpensive and People living in low-income, predominantly subsidized housing — gained 2,007 black black city neighborhoods have shorter residents and lost 5,314 white residents. average life spans than residents of affluent, predominantly white communities. For Community groups in these neighborhoods example, the life expectancy in Avondale is are working to ensure redevelopment does 68.2 years, as opposed to 85.9 years in Mount not displace current residents and that

Housing 91 affordable housing is produced along with previously worked for the U.S. Department of new market-rate housing. Housing and Urban Development.

Elizabeth Brown is the former Executive Brandon Craig is Compliance Manager for Director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal Housing Opportunities Made Equal. He (HOME), the private fair housing agency works with clients who have experienced serving the greater Cincinnati area. She illegal discrimination in housing.

92 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities “This attention presents a window where bipartisan reform can reduce the proliferation of criminal penalties.”

CRIMINAL JUSTICE Justice system’s dependence on jail, lifelong sanctions harm community

By David Singleton people were incarcerated in state prisons across Ohio. Today, more than 50,600 men The state of Cincinnati’s criminal justice and women are in our state’s prisons, a system, particularly as it impacts African- 280-percent increase from 1980. Americans, presents both challenges and opportunities. Though people who commit violent crimes deserve to be punished, too often those who One challenge is more general in nature: find themselves behind bars have committed society’s over-reliance on incarceration to low-level, non-violent offenses. Incarcerating address structural social problems, such people who commit non-violent offenses as poverty, failing schools, and the lack of does little to improve public safety while economic opportunity, which often drive crime. imposing enormous financial and social costs upon the community. We can, and should, This problem is not unique to Cincinnati. Since do better in reducing the size and scope of the 1980s, the incarceration rate has soared the criminal justice system. nationally as a result on the national war on drugs and get-tough-on-crime rhetoric, even Another challenge is our local criminal as crime rates have fallen. In 1982, 623,388 justice system’s disproportionate impact on people were incarcerated in the United States. the black community. Again, this problem is Today that number exceeds 2.4 million. not unique to Cincinnati.

Ohio has seen a dramatic increase in its Nationally, African-Americans constitute prison population, too. In 1980, 13,256 approximately 14 percent of the population

94 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities yet comprise 40 percent of the jail and died at the hands of the police, the trust gap prison population. Although 1 of 3 black has widened. We can, and should, do better men can expect to spend time in prison in fostering respect and trust between the during his lifetime, only 1 in 17 white men police and the communities they serve. can expect to do the same. In Ohio, African- Americans represent 12 percent of the Still another challenge is the impact population, but they make up nearly half of collateral sanctions place on the ability of the state’s prison population. people who have been convicted of crimes to find work, support themselves, and Similarly, although African-Americans contribute meaningfully to the community. represent about 25 percent of Hamilton The term “collateral sanctions” refers to a County’s population, they constitute nearly 60 legal penalty, disability, or disadvantage percent of Hamilton County Justice Center’s imposed upon a person automatically as population. We can, and should, do better in the result of a conviction for a crime, even reducing the overrepresentation of African- if not included in that person’s sentence — Americans in our local criminal justice system. hence the sanction is collateral to the actual sentence imposed. In Ohio, more than 800 Another challenge is the distrust that many state laws are on the books that restrict in the black community have for the police. the ability of people with criminal records No question the police serve an important to work in certain fields, many of them function for all of us who live in Cincinnati. mandatory rather than discretionary. But African-Americans, particularly males, are too often targeted by the police, These restrictions often do not take into arrested, and sent to jail. And because of account how long ago the offense occurred, Cincinnati’s own history of police shootings the relation-ship of the offense to the job the of unarmed black men, and the recent events person seeks to do, or whether the individual in Ferguson, Missouri; and Beavercreek has been rehabilitated. Shut out of employment and Cleveland, Ohio; Staten Island, New opportunities, many are turned away from the York; and Baltimore, Maryland; and other economy not based on the ability of the person communities where unarmed black men have to do the job he has applied for.

Criminal Justice 95 Another challenge is the mistrust many Another opportunity is the growing support in the black community have toward the for returning citizens – people who have Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office. Like the spent time in prison and have now returned police, prosecutors play a very important role to the community. In 2012, Kasich signed in our justice system. Without prosecutors, into law Senate Bill 337, which created our system will not work. At the same time, Certificates of Qualification for Employment, the criminal prosecution of Hamilton County known as a CQE. They allow people living in Juvenile Court Judge Tracie Hunter — which the community who have a previous felony the special prosecutors who tried her case or misdemeanor conviction to apply to the admitted was intended to remove her from court to lift the collateral sanction that bars the bench — has polarized Cincinnati, largely them from being considered for employment along racial lines, and has deepened the in a particular field. mistrust many in the black community have for the prosecutor’s office. In addition, a state fair hiring law is pending. Based on the laws that But at the same time we face these and numerous cities have passed, starting other challenges, we also have opportunities. with Cincinnati’s in 2010, the state fair One of those opportunities is the growing hiring law would prohibit inquiries into an realization, by elected officials on both sides applicant’s criminal background during the of the political aisle, that we incarcerate general application portion of the hiring far too many people in the United States process for public employees. If adopted, and that we must reduce the number of this bill, introduced in the Ohio House in people behind bars. Ohio Governor John January 2015, is an important opportunity Kasich, state prison director Gary Mohr, to make it easier for people with felony and key members of the General Assembly records to get state government jobs. But agree that the time is now to reduce our our work must not end with the passage of state’s prison population. We need to build a state fair hiring law; we must work to en- on this momentum to achieve a meaningful sure that private sector employers do more reduction in the number of people to employ qualified job applicants who also incarcerated locally and statewide. happen to have a criminal record.

96 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Additionally, despite the depressing news In sum, as this chapter will explain in more out of Ferguson, Beavercreek, Cleveland, detail, the criminal justice system in the Staten Island, and Baltimore, there is City of Cincinnati presents both challenges hope. Because of the success of Cincinnati’s and opportunities. Now, is the time to face Collaborative Agreement, a legally enforced the challenges and seize the opportunities agreement between the City of Cincinnati, that are in front of us. its police department, and the Cincinnati Black United Front and the American David Singleton is executive director of the Civil Liberties Union, police-community Ohio Justice & Policy Center, a non-partisan, relations in Cincinnati have improved. In nonprofit, public interest law office based in fact, the Collaborative Agreement provides a Downtown Cincinnati whose mission is to blueprint that other communities can use to work statewide to create fair, intelligent, and reform their police departments. redemptive criminal justice systems.

Criminal Justice 97 Ending over-incarceration trend will improve black neighborhoods

By Erik Crew population was 8,804. In 1955, when King led the Montgomery Bus Boycott, 10,483 Increases in mass incarceration rates in the people were imprisoned in the state. In United States, Ohio, and Hamilton County 1963, the year he gave his “I Have a Dream” have followed the same trajectory in recent speech, Ohio incarcerated 11,644 people. decades, and they all cause disproportionate And in 1968, the year of his assassination, harm to communities of color. Ohio prisons held 10,189 people. Even 10 years later, Ohio incarcerated approximately The national picture 12,000 prisoners. The United States leads the world in incarceration, with nearly seven million But soon afterward, Ohio’s prison people in prison or jail, on probation or population began to soar. By 2002, the parole, a 279-percent increase in the past 30 state incarcerated 35,000 prisoners. Today, years. During the same time frame, the U.S. Ohio’s prison population is 50,201, and population increased by only 37 percent. the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction budget is a staggering $1.6 The Ohio picture billion. The following chart depicts the The growth in Ohio’s prison population in growth of Ohio’s prison system since 1929, the past decades mirrors national trends. using King’s life as a reference point.

Consider the rise in incarcerated people in The local picture the context of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Mass incarceration in Hamilton County life. In 1929, when he was born, Ohio’s prison follows the same pattern we see nationally

98 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities and across Ohio. In 2002, 29,488 people cycled These are not only people with convictions, through the Hamilton County jail system. but those who have been convicted of no In 2006, that number had grown to 31,020 crime. Nationally, the number of people people, according to Vera Institute of Justice’s experiencing pre-trial detention solely 2008 report “Assessment of Changes in because of an inability to pay bond or fees is Inmate Characteristics and Jail Management 62 percent of the jail population, according Processes in Hamilton County, Ohio.” to the Vera Institute’s February 2015 report

Criminal Justice 99 Growth of Ohio Prison Population Year People in Ohio Prisons Women in Ohio Prisons People Sent to Ohio Prisons 1929 8,804 Data unavailable Data unavailable 1968 10,189 Data unavailable Data unavailable 1974 7,717 268 5,905 1980 13,360 598 8,329 1992 35,446 2,257 20,594 2008 51,273 (most ever) 3,724 26,995 2011 50,857 3,888 20,682 2015 50,674 4,022 Data unavailable

“Incarceration’s Front Door: The Misuse of The disproportionate impact of mass Jails in America.” incarceration on communities of color This mass incarceration epidemic has In 2009, 756 out of the 1,240 people in the devastated minority and low-income Hamilton County Justice Center were people communities. waiting for trial; 278 of those people had been waiting for more than three months, and 81 Though only 12.5 percent of Ohio’s had waited for more than six months. These population identifies as African-American, waits separate them from their families, they represent more than 45 percent of housing, and employment opportunities, and incarcerated Ohioans. increases the chances they will plead or be convicted of a crime. Since the early 1990’s, Michelle Alexander, an associate professor Hamilton County has sent approximately of law at Ohio State University and author 2,000 people per year to the Ohio prison of “The New Jim Crow,” has written, system. In 2007, the county sent a high of “There are more African-Americans under 2,815 people to the state prison system. correctional control today… than were

100 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities enslaved in 1850, a decade before the Civil has declined for the last five years — as has War.” In Hamilton County, approximately the number of people cycling through the 60 percent of the people going through the Hamilton County Justice Center. jail system are black, while black people make up only approximately 25 percent of Recent studies, including “What Caused the the county population. Crime Decline?” by the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School The opportunity of Law, show that increased incarceration is Alexander’s work in “The New Jim Crow” has not effective in reducing crime. been a catalyst for change and has increased awareness of the structural racism present African-American communities not only in the workings of the justice system. As experience over-incarceration but are more part of this growing awareness, conservative often the victims of crime. In the face of lawmakers are coming out for justice system growing evidence, however, we cannot reform, primarily from a fiscal perspective. claim that incarceration helps. Further, Yet this situation presents a window many states have shown that decreasing where bipartisan reform can reduce the incarceration can happen alongside decreases proliferation of criminal penalties that have in the crime communities experience. The devastated the African-American community. decreases may, in fact, be directly related, as fewer people under correctional control Gary Mohr, director of the Ohio Department increases the number of mothers and fathers of Rehabilitation and Correction, has contributing to community health. We have made clear that his number one priority the chance to restructure a system that cuts is substantially reducing the size of the down on mass incarceration and produces prison population. The system operates at more safety for our communities. about 130 percent of capacity. The timing is especially ripe for change. Successes locally David Singleton, executive director of the and across the country are a foundation to Ohio Justice & Policy Center, has been build on. The number of people Hamilton appointed to a special committee of the Ohio County sends to the state prison system General Assembly to look for ways to reduce

Criminal Justice 101 Ohio’s prison population. The Criminal Another exciting area for change comes Justice Recodification Committee’s goal is to from ideas around restructuring the way enhance public safety and the administration large government agencies fund their law of justice in Ohio. It will study Ohio’s criminal enforcement initiatives. As you may know, statutes, develop a comprehensive plan for many criminal justice agencies measure revising the criminal code, and recommend success, and receive funding, based on the that plan to the General Assembly. number of people processed through the

102 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities system. As research shows, however, the Funding.” Let’s instead measure success by number of people arrested, prosecuted, and looking at how our agencies reduce crime locked up is not a good measure of success rates and bring down racial disparities in when it comes to public safety and creating arrest and conviction rates. By rewarding safe, healthy communities, according to the this kind of success rather than rewarding Brennan Center report “Success Oriented simply more arrests and convictions, we can

Criminal Justice 103 help push our criminal justice agencies to concert to bring an end to it. Alexander produce the kind of success we want to see. recently released an organizing-and- movement building guide to end mass The collection of researchers, policymakers, incarceration, which is available to all. and advocates aware of the need for The Ohio Organizing Collaborative, an change is growing, as are legitimate innovative collection of organizers and opportunities for change. As “The New advocates across the state, has taken up the Jim Crow” author Alexander points out, it fight to end mass incarceration. will take more people directly impacted by over-criminalization that endangers our Erik Crew is Communications Manager at community’s safety and health moving in Ohio Justice & Policy Center.

104 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Returning citizens earn 40% less than before they went to prison

By Stephen JohnsonGrove according to the Pew Center on the State’s 2010 report “Collateral Costs: Incarceration’s One in six Ohioans — about 16 percent of Effect on Economic Mobility.” This deep our available workforce — has a criminal decrease affects their ability to support record. That raw number is 1.9 million themselves and contribute to their family Ohioans. They face about 850 state laws and community. In addition, other economic that embody some kind of barrier to re- research suggests that Ohio is losing $2 billion entry based on a criminal record, affecting annually in gross domestic product — the employment, housing, family, financial, and monetary value of all the finished goods and civic-participation rights. services produced within the state’s borders — because otherwise qualified workers are Ohio Justice & Policy Center has a database excluded by over-restrictive criminal-record- — civiccohio.org — that catalogs the state based barriers. laws that hamper a person’s effort to seek employment with a criminal record. Those Because of the rise of mass incarceration, laws are called “collateral sanctions,” and for more than a decade about 3,500 citizens Ohio is the only state in the country to have return from Ohio prisons each year to four- such detailed, paralyzing restrictions. county Greater Cincinnati: Butler, Hamilton, Clermont, and Warren, according to Ohio Nationally, people who have been incarcerated Department of Rehabilitation and Correction make 40 percent less than before they went to data. Some 2,100 of those ex-offenders came jail, an average lost income of $15,600 a year, home to Hamilton County in 2011.

Criminal Justice 105 Hamilton County also has 5,000 felony has a governor’s pardon herself, has led that probationers, criminals convicted of serious office since its inception in early 2011. crimes but sentenced to probation instead of prison; 202 live in the 45229 area code, Through the work of the policy center which covers most of Avondale. The central and the AMOS Project, a faith-based Cincinnati neighborhood is 89 percent justice coalition, Ohio Senate Bill 337 was African-American. passed in 2012, creating Certificates of Qualification for Employment. This law Part of a larger movement among many serves as a mechanism for relieving the service providers a decade ago was to be burden of collateral sanctions and provides more responsive to the very large and protection to employers from negligent- growing needs of re-entry. Ohio Justice & hiring lawsuits. Cincinnati was the first city Policy Center began serving the legal needs in Ohio to adopt a fair hiring policy. Now, 12 of people in the community with criminal cities and counties have these policies and a records in 2004. uniform, statewide version is pending in the legislature (HB 56, 2015). In 2007, Hamilton County Commissioners David Pepper and Todd Portune led the The City of Cincinnati not only repealed its ill- way in creating the Criminal Justice conceived marijuana-possession-enhancement Commission, and it made helpful law, council took the highly unique step of recommendations on improving justice allowing those previously convicted under that in Greater Cincinnati. The Hamilton law to have their records sealed. County Office of Reentry grew out of that commission’s work. DeAnna Hoskins, a Stephen JohnsonGrove is deputy director of dynamic leader and returning citizen who the Ohio Justice & Policy Center.

106 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities “The goals of community engagement are to build trust… to improve the lives of residents.”

INCLUSION Do terms `inclusive,’ `conservative’ mix, offer hope to African-Americans?

By Eric M. Ellis embraced by many, is not viewed positively by many of the diverse young people In spring 2001, Cincinnati went through a whom our community needs to attract and period of civil unrest. Today, our nation is retain in order to be competitive in the at a tipping point regarding racial injustice. future. People of color typically evaluate What did we in Cincinnati learn from our how inclusive an environment is based on time in the national spotlight? Have we answers to the following questions: made any real and sustainable progress? • Am I personally included? • Do I know any people of color who are Having invested my life’s work toward the included? creation of fair and equitable workplaces, • Have I heard good news about the schools, and communities, those and inclusion of people of color in that city or other questions regarding inclusion are of within that organization? vital importance to me. The significance of inclusion was instilled in me from an There are isolated examples of African- early age, having been raised in a family Americans making progress regarding committed to justice and freedom. inclusion in Cincinnati, but on a whole, data shows that our advancement is behind that Throughout the years, I’ve often heard the of similar cities in our region. The following city of Cincinnati described as conservative. facts provide insight about Cincinnati’s level Yet conservative and inclusive are words of inclusion: that are often viewed as in contrast with one • City of Cincinnati population (2010 U.S. another. Our conservative label, although Census): 296,943

108 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities • African-Americans (2010): 133,287 (45 inclusion in the city. African-Americans are percent) generally less optimistic about Cincinnati’s • Percent of change in population from interest or ability to be truly inclusive. The 2000-2010: about minus 7 percent majority community does recognize the need • Black-owned firms in Cincinnati (2007): to be attractive to diverse individuals and 18.3 percent groups but often lacks the strategic will to • Black-owned firms in Hamilton County: facilitate significant change. 10.8 percent • Cincinnati City Council, percent African- If we look at economic and leadership American: 44 inclusiveness, I would offer the following: • Hamilton County Commissioners, percent African-American: 0 Economic inclusion Overall, unemployment figures have A recent report by the National Urban decreased significantly for workers in League in 2014, measuring income disparities Cincinnati, to 4.3 percent, according to recent between whites and African-Americans government figures, yet the unemployment nationwide, ranked Cincinnati 73 out of 77 rate for African-Americans is still in double cities — lower than Ohio’s other major cities digits. African-Americans continue to lack of Toledo, Cleveland, Dayton, and Columbus. significant economic parity with Cincinnati’s The median household income among majority community. Although, in recent African-Americans in Cincinnati was $24,272, years, we have had more symposiums and compared to $57,481 for whites. conference workshops on topics such as “access to capital,” we continue to lack the More than two decades of diversity and resource providers committed to making inclusion training and consulting has allowed money available to minorities for business me to hear thousands of people share their growth and development. honest impressions about fairness and equity. There is a significant perception We can point to a few examples of economic gap between the broader community and inclusion, like the development of The people of color about the quality and level of Banks and other projects that have met

Inclusion 109 or exceeded their minority participation an individual, both of which fall below basic projections; however, the fact remains livable wage standards. that a minuscule number of black-owned businesses are located in the Central Leadership and power sharing Business District, and most of the African- We have made substantial progress in Americans who have significant access to leadership and power sharing at the city capital, can be counted on one hand. government level. The significant African- American population in Cincinnati of African-Americans are currently engaged 45 percent has created an inclusive city in a new discussion on the concept of council. Unfortunately, this is not the case wealth creation. If you look at net worth — within county government or from a judicial everything you own minus what you owe, as standpoint. an indication of wealth — you will recognize that African-Americans have a long way to go. The high-profile prosecution of Juvenile Court Judge Tracie Hunter, an African- The concept of wealth creation is an American female, reinforced perceptions important conversation to have, but that justice in Hamilton County is applied the overwhelming majority of African- differently and unfairly towards African- Americans are stuck trying to answer the Americans. It’s surprising that millions question, “Can I make a livable wage?” of taxpayer dollars can be spent to block, Livable wage is defined as a theoretical prosecute, and ultimately remove Judge wage level that allows the earner to afford Hunter from the bench. Cincinnati’s justice adequate shelter, food, and the other system does not appear to be color-blind. necessities of life. In Cincinnati, the livable wage for an individual is calculated as Cincinnati continues to make steady $7.89 an hour, but for a family with two progress regarding the inclusion of African- adults and two children the livable wage Americans on significant nonprofit boards. increases to $17.56 an hour. The median However, inclusion on paid corporate income for African-Americans in Cincinnati boards, is nearly nonexistent. In August is $24,272 for a household and $15,475 for 2014, Black Enterprise magazine identified

110 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities the small number of African-Americans and human services, and entrepreneurial serving on corporate boards in the top 250 development (including access to capital). U.S. corporations. There are fewer than five African-Americans serving on major People love to recite a quote attributed to corporate boards in Cincinnati. Mark Twain, “When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it’s Overall conclusion always 20 years behind the times.” Whether African-Americans cannot continue to Twain actually uttered this famous line can measure progress, simply by how much we be debated, but what cannot be disputed is are included in the corporations or systems how the conservative values of our business controlled the majority community. We must and other leaders make it difficult to quickly also measure our success in terms of our embrace change. This reality makes it hard ownership and leadership of businesses and for African-Americans to be optimistic that nonprofit organizations.It’s not enough any genuine progress is possible. longer to sit at the lunch counter. We must own the lunch counter. I know there are many people who would enjoy arguing about how significant our Inclusion strategies need to be multifaceted. I small, isolated examples of inclusion would offer the following areas to consider for successes are; this is classic Cincinnati. My future improvement: African-American intra- hope is that we will welcome the opportunity cultural collaborative strategies; African- to become more inclusive. My prayer is American entrepreneurial focus to support that we would spend less time debating our own businesses; and African-American who’s at fault and more time implementing businesses focusing on meeting the needs of strategies to achieve success. African- our community and the broader community. Americans must accept the fact that we, ourselves, have the greatest responsibility Measurable inclusion strategies for areas for our future, so we need to make greater impacting our overall quality of life in: investments toward our own progress. education, corporate leadership, health

Inclusion 111 Eric M. Ellis is President and CEO of Integrity Development Corp., a management consulting firm specializing in diversity and inclusion training and consulting. He is also an award-winning author of the book, “Diversity Conversations,” (Integrity Development Publishing, first edition 2012).

112 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Authentic inclusion not yet achieved in corporate Cincinnati

By Icy Williams to the fullness of their capacity as partners and as members. If all could feel, touch, see, and experience the full impact of inclusion, then people in The above are the thoughts of Jack corporate America would do business with Pearpoint, Lynda Kahn, and Cathy Hollands Americans — not minorities. of Inclusion Press International and the Marsha Forest Centre, Toronto. Inclusion means inclusion. It means affiliation, combination, enclosure, And so it is that: involvement, and surrounding. It means • Inclusion can be the replacement word with. Inclusion means being with one for “minority.” another and caring for one another. It • Inclusion can be the replacement for the means inviting parents, students, and term “supplier diversity.” community members to be part of a new • Inclusion could be the replacement for culture and a new reality. Inclusion means the term “no seat at the table.” joining with new and exciting educational • Inclusion can be the replacement for the concepts, such as cooperative education, term “economic development of inner cities.” adult education, whole language, computer • Inclusion can be the replacement for the technology, and critical thinking. Inclusion term “black-on-black crime.” means inviting those who have been left out — in any way — to come in, and it means Diversity is “in,” much to the dismay of asking them to help design new systems the defender of the past. Such cultural that encourage every person to participate and political upheaval has given rise to

Inclusion 113 knowledge players in the game of social I have lived and worked in the Cincinnati change, while leaving most people as area for the past 24 years and have seen confused bystanders, desperately hanging on the region grow beyond the city’s borders. to a past that is irrelevant to the future. Growing up in a small town south of Dallas, Texas, gave me insight to a lot “Other programs are shelved because of segregation practices in schools, the leadership decides they no longer add value.” community, churches, and the job market. — Joset Wright-Lacy, President, National Minority Supplier Development Council Living in Green Bay, Wisconsin, sheltered me from many inclusion issues involving No greater divide exists in America today black and white Americans during years than in Cincinnati’s business community. of social unrest across the country. Moving A monumental gap has emerged between to the Cincinnati area in 1991 provided the needs of the nation’s Fortune 1000 insights to the racial divide never known corporations and the black minority while living in Green Bay and other cities. suppliers that provide them with goods I left briefly but returned to Cincinnati just and services. Many years of changes have after the riots of 2001. I tried to understand occurred, but looking back, but much has the mindset of people who had felt “left remained the same; the same meetings, out,” “less than,” and “never good enough” same city meetings, and same agencies to win business opportunities. What I saw trying to show a reason to exist. This was a city that painted the right image and situation also exists in these Fortune 1000 reputation of inclusion, but beneath the corporations, where many employees don’t surface existed a disparity across city and have a sense of strategy or ownership of community boundaries. their company’s diversity inclusion goals. My role within corporate America was to To ensure the promise of social and economic find ways to help make a difference in small inclusion, supplier development must be businesses, so they could be part of a bigger rooted in the principles of inclusion for all. opportunity, which would have positive

114 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities effects on them and their community. 3. As more city government regulations are This included the cultural changes of an being rolled out and requests for economic organization internally while creating the evidence of viable operations accelerates, proven result locally and nationally. minority and female entrepreneurs must be prepared to build value and competitive My experiences show me three areas of advantage into their enterprises. The challenge for Greater Cincinnati: impending results will include new skilled 1. Knowledge to understand diversity and workers; diverse businesses prepared to inclusion principles that must become a construct, renovate, and support green corporate business strategy imperative. building; diverse consulting companies It is important to recognize that behavior providing sustainability training and does not change in one simple step. green business audit; and stronger urban Rather, people tend to progress through communities with economic inclusion different stages on their way to successful and a safer, healthier environment for all change. This will create a culture within Americans. the corporate supply chain that is more conducive to the achievement of For Cincinnati to achieve these results, top- community impact inclusion. down support is necessary for communities 2. Skills to develop a community inclusion to make a serious inclusion commitment and plan that outlines actions that need to be reap the benefits of the harvest. With eyes implemented across social and economic and ears on America, we generally change boundaries. With people spending a behaviors when we know our performance is majority of their waking hours at work, it is being measured. important to engage full communities into action plans that increase passion, drive, Icy Williams is president and chief executive and commitment. This approach allows officer of ATMOS360, an air cleaning for a great deal of hands-on learning with systems company, in West Chester. community assistance and live coaching from experienced corporate professionals.

Inclusion 115 Unprecedented organization, unity needed to move community ahead

By Patricia Milton and Victoria Straughn Just as in war-torn countries, though, constant fighting eventually takes its toll Cincinnati is a city with a rich history for on people because it bleeds precious time African-Americans, which includes, but is and energy that are necessary to build not limited to, the Underground Railroad. healthy communities. The wealth, or lack Slaves from the South had to cross the Ohio of it, of African-Americans is tied to this River in an attempt to gain their freedom, expenditure of resources. And, according even if it meant death. However, the city’s to Ron Daniels, the relative gap between history also has a negative side for African- blacks and whites in terms of income Americans. Black Laws were put in place and wealth is a legacy of enslavement that “controlled Negroes” and harmed black and structural/institutional racism. prosperity and survival. These codes, along Unfortunately, too many poor whites and with harsh direct treatment, drove many working poor still see African-Americans as blacks to flee as far north as Canada. enemies instead of allies in the struggle to achieve a better quality of life. Today, Cincinnati’s African-American community has made great strides in President of the Institute of the Black accessing high political office, but progress World 21st Century at York College City has not come without struggle and conflict University of New York, Daniels further — in 1829, 1884, 1967, and 2001 — not to states it is not possible to erase the income mention numerous legal actions to force and wealth gap without dealing with the change upon political and police systems root cause of persistent inequality — which otherwise unwilling to bend. has severely hampered the quest for justice,

116 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities socio-economic equity, freedom, and self- white household worth and that of Hispanics’ determination. was not as great as whites and blacks: a 10- time difference of $141,900 versus $13,700. To move Cincinnati’s communities of color forward, we must organize and work We know, too, of higher rates of black together like never before. juveniles being bound over as adults and receiving harsher sentencing for petty The United States claims to be the “melting crimes instead of rehabilitation. Much of pot.” Using the metaphor of imitation cheese what we are experiencing in Cincinnati is slices, they do not melt well. They lack the due to structural racism and our inability true ingredients that allow real cheese to to hold our politicians accountable. We have melt. African-Americans cannot successfully a lack of strong black-oriented institutions. melt into American society without the Too many depend on corporate money for root cause of racism being addressed by the their survival, muting their voices to speak larger society. In order to disrupt structural on behalf of black citizens. racism, we must organize around the cause of socio-economic disparity that keeps A comprehensive approach is needed to deal African-Americans almost frozen in time with the social injustice, generational social and unable to thrive. detriments, and disparities in Cincinnati’s poorest neighborhoods. There must also be For far too long in Cincinnati, we’ve known a shift in the thinking that causes people to of the crushing statistics that show African- shun living with people of a different income Americans suffering from unemployment level, or people who need social services for rates double those of white society and high a hand up. Like many large cities across infant mortality rates. the country, Cincinnati is economically segregated. Yet living in monolithic In 2013 dollars, for example, the median communities robs people of a chance to net worth of white households was 13 times help the person living next door, across the greater than African-Americans’ — $141,900 street, or around the corner. In the words compared to $11,000. The difference between of an old Negro spiritual, “If I can help

Inclusion 117 somebody as I pass along then my living In 15-county Greater Cincinnati, home shall not be in vain.” ownership rates are 74.5 percent for whites but 33.1 percent for African-Americans, according to We must stop talking about the suffering of the 2011 American Community Survey. African-Americans in the city and begin to take specific action with economic resources, Cincinnati is working toward a big vision starting with efforts to rebuild the black with development of The Banks and the family. It is clear from many sociological and transformational gentrification of Over-the- economic studies that African-Americans Rhine, the latter where black population face an uphill battle. The power structure is falling as higher-income whites move in. of Cincinnati must be willing to face the The African-American community must be problem with open hearts and open minds included in the planning of this vision and to put an end to generational poverty create opportunities by reframing norms due to the lack of employment and the and shaping new conversations. The black overabundance of hopelessness. community must work to win a greater share of charitable dollars. Access to jobs and job training are important keys to ensuring the attainment of a We have to network, build rapport, and healthy, prosperous community. We must extend ourselves — in the words of Lucy expect corporations and institutions to show Bernholz, a visiting scholar at the Stanford social responsibility by hiring people and University Center on Philanthropy and providing them with gainful employment. Civil Society — “toward the extraordinary Otherwise, we will continue down a road opportunity of this moment, to go beyond that will simply look good on the surface episodic attention to sustained effort, beyond but will lead African-Americans to the same lip service to real change, beyond punctuated economic dead end. action to sustained focus.”

Increasing homeownership is key to stabilizing Here’s how to achieve sustained focus. Civil our neighborhoods, along with having long- rights and Black Power movement leader Kwame term renters who are vested in the community. Ture, once known as Stokely Carmichael, urged

118 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities us until his death in 1998 to “organize, organize, Because black communities are fragmented organize,” which we have failed to do. We have and exist in a state of emergency and crisis, had many great leaders who studied systemic as we wrote earlier, organizing around a racism and its impact on black people. These unified vision of social justice is difficult. great leaders left a blueprint for success that we But, again, blueprints exist. Community have failed to follow. engagement and advocacy mean you cannot dictate from the top down. Community It is not enough to ask our people to simply members must have a voice in identifying support organizations. There are far too the issues that negatively affect their lives. many so-called “black” organizations Organizers must be disciplined and able that exist in name only and periodically to set aside their differences to place their participate in charitable events. This focus directly on community interest. meager activity is not enough to create and sustain change. Very often, that level of For too long, black Cincinnati has addressed action only aids in keeping our condition issues from a reactionary position, not one the same. These are not organizations that is proactive or anticipatory. We are that advocate. These organizations help at a disadvantage in creating sustainable only a few people but seek mainly to keep solutions that can be sustained. their comfortable positions and polite relationships with the larger community. We must create an organization supported by information specialists who research laws Organizing and advocating start with and policies that negatively affect African- recruiting progressive, like-minded African- Americans and our communities as a whole. Americans and blacks of great social We must increase political education and consciousness, people who have a sense of training around structural racism, often cultural understanding and sensitivity to coupled with or disguised as social classism in the needs of our communities. We must seek Cincinnati with its 52 distinct neighborhoods. out and recruit those who have the skills and leadership abilities and develop others Leaders in Cincinnati — whether they be despite our differences. elected officials in City Hall or volunteers

Inclusion 119 in any of its neighborhoods — can motivate Cincinnati has not done enough to establish citizen engagement by placing a high value new laws and policies around issues of on the input of people as active participants justice. We must be vigilant in our quest to in the decision-making process. create and sustain change and support each other without apology. The heart and soul of our communities are the people who live, work, play, and pray Our beloved ancestor Frederick Douglass together. In the spirit of collaboration, said, “Power concedes nothing without a we must work toward common goals and demand, it never has and never will.” And shared values to improve the lives of the Jamaican-born Black Nationalism leader families. Establishing and maintaining good Marcus Garvey cheers us on, saying, “Up, communication channels are the cornerstones you mighty race, accomplish what you will.” for increasing the strength and resilience of If we listen to the wisdom of our leaders, our communities. Fair and equitable sharing past and present, we will succeed in creating of resources, as well as technical assistance for a prosperous and healthy community for neighborhoods that have not seen significant generations unseen. investment in several decades, are necessities. The goals of community engagement are to Patricia Milton is president of the Avondale build trust, identify new resources and allies, Community Council. Victoria Straughn create better communication, and improve the is a Cincinnati civil rights and human lives of the residents in the neighborhood. rights activist now affiliated with the group Concerned Citizens for Justice. Good leadership knows when to lead and when to follow. The black community in

120 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities The blueprint for inclusion: City’s vitality depends on valuing all

By Bleuzette Marshall So when we look at Cincinnati, relative to inclusion, mixed commentary is expected. If inclusion were a core value and practiced What is indisputable are disparities across by every individual within every organization the board relative to educational attainment, – industry and community – the City of access to culturally competent health care, Cincinnati would thrive. By definition, unemployment rates, and professional inclusion requires action. It implies that advancement in the African-American people, not regardless of, but because of their community, just to name a few; yet all unique backgrounds, are invited fully to potentially resulting from systems riddled participate in a group. with exclusive practices, either intentionally or unintentionally. Despite advancements, work Traditional work in the diversity and exists to reach some measure of parity. inclusion space has focused on finding common ground and building from This is an exciting time for the city; we have there. But the latest thinking challenges reached a tipping point. The future is literally organizations to build intercultural skills in the palm of our hands, and our viability by acknowledging differences so individuals hinges on the decisions and collective action to can employ the Platinum Rule of treating build a more inclusive community. others the way they want to be treated. By the numbers Each of us can view the same painting, or According to the Census Bureau, African- even an auto accident, and provide different Americans in 2013 represented 13.2 percent of interpretations based on our perspectives. the U.S. population and are skewed younger

Inclusion 121 in age. Nationwide, 55 percent of African- notion that inclusion equates to personal Americans live in southern cities. Of those loss and begin to see the intellectual and migrating south, 40 percent are between the social benefits of embracing it within our ages of 21 and 40, and 25 percent have earned organizations. The benefits of an inclusive a college degree, according to demographic environment ultimately make us better studies. Since 2000, Cincinnati’s African- through the production of quality products, American population has declined 6.47 achieving superior results, and providing percent – 9,409 individuals – with noticeable better service. In addition, inclusion is a reductions in the 25-44 age category. Multiple key driver for increased market share, a factors influence this change, including reduction in turnover, increased performance migration, especially for job opportunities, and productivity, and improved community affordability, and cultural connectivity. As relations, according to recent studies. a community, unless this trend is reversed, Cincinnati may continue to experience a Personality types decline. Although we cannot change the The success of any initiative is dependent on climate (temperature) in Cincinnati, we those involved in the process. Professionals can change the climate (culture) by fully often experience the challenge of advancing embracing the tenets of inclusion. diversity and inclusion amid four personality types: supporters, spectators, Value of inclusion sleepers, and saboteurs. Each person is Inclusion requires transparency, honesty, relevant, helps sharpen our skills, and can and a measure of vulnerability. It satisfies add value to our efforts. the psychosocial need of belonging and connectedness. As a practice, inclusion is a Supporters. Change agents who want to vehicle to let others know we do not have all of make a difference are receptive to innovation the answers individually, but together we are and exhibit a measure of adaptability. They better able to innovate and solve problems. attend meetings and events regularly, offer their assistance and creativity in strategy It’s time for a shift. We must abandon development, and are eager to engage a the deficit mentality of diversity and the broader audience in change.

122 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Spectators. Individuals who have been around player requires a thoughtful strategy, bold a while with limited involvement are nostalgic leadership, an actively engaged community, and can recall with accuracy when and how and skillful implementation. The creation of many attempts have been made on specific an Inclusion Council helps monitor progress initiatives along with the outcomes. They are and makes suggestions for improvement. typically the ones saying we’ve been down this Inclusion plans should focus on four road before or we never did it like this. interconnected areas: people, accountability, atmosphere, and community. Sleepers. Folks who have retired on the job, do enough to get by, and are probably looking People. Talent management is the lifeline for their next opportunity. These individuals of any organization and contributes to represent the largest group of untapped the employee experience not only in the potential. Sleepers have not kept up with the company, but in the city as well. Modifying changing organizational dynamics, but are traditional practices and being aggressive receptive to learning and networking. to recruit and retain talent is crucial to the livelihood of organizations. Partnerships Saboteurs. For these complainers, nothing with community and professional is ever good enough, progress is always too organizations like the Urban League, the slow, direct interaction is often challenging, National Black MBA Association, or the and they can be an organization’s public National Society of Black Engineers provide relations nightmare. opportunities to identify talent through shared job postings and networking events. Recognizing these profiles and understanding their benefits can eliminate frustration and Accountability. CEOs and other senior assist practitioners in building welcoming, leaders set the tone for their organizations. inclusive, and engaging environments. Their words and actions speak volumes relative to their commitment to inclusion. Developing a plan The performance-management process is a Competitiveness in the global marketplace key river for inclusion. The system provides is not by chance. Becoming a strong a framework to attract, engage, develop,

Inclusion 123 leverage and advance talent. It requires to engage effortlessly with diverse managers to know their employees’ values, populations for service or collaboration. work ethic, accomplishments, professional aspirations, and desired meeting and Conclusion communication styles. Interactions are Building an inclusive environment is similar to frequent, not twice a year for goal setting losing weight; thinking about it does not reduce performance evaluation. pounds or inches. It requires work. Every day. The future of Cincinnati is inextricably linked Atmosphere. An organization’s environment to the inclusive practices of individuals and can significantly influence the talent organizations within the community. As a management processes. Creating an collective, we must lead by example in creating atmosphere where everyone can be and environments where people are valued for become the best versions of themselves, feels their unique multifaceted perspectives and comfortable bringing their “A-game,” and contributions that both reflect and advance the performs to their best abilities without being diverse communities we serve. hindered by any dimension of diversity will lend to the success of the employee and the Operationalizing inclusion will reduce, if organization. Periodic surveys are good tools not eliminate, structural inequities that for gathering quantitative and qualitative data disproportionately affect the lives, achievement, on employee perceptions and experiences. and career advancement of African Americans. Ultimately, everyone shares the responsibility Community. Inclusive practices must for building an inclusive culture within the extend beyond the organization for city – one that removes barriers and provides enhanced community experiences. Every opportunities to learn, contribute, grow, and interaction is an infomercial about the thrive. There are infinite possibilities to make employee and organizational values. A Cincinnati more inclusive. Choose one and visible presence in the community indicates begin making a difference today. an acknowledgment of existence and an intentional effort to connect. Developing Bleuzette Marshall is Chief Diversity Officer intercultural competencies allows associates at the University of Cincinnati.

124 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Inclusion survey results The Greater Cincinnati Urban League Integrity Development Corp., West Chester, commissioned a survey on inclusion early in 2015. conducted the survey of 503 respondents.

Inclusion 125 126 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Inclusion 127 128 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Inclusion 129 130 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Inclusion 131 132 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities “…dedicated to positively affecting generations of people through economic equality.”

ABOUT THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER SOUTHWESTERN OHIO History and programs

By Mark Curnutte Greater Cincinnati’s affiliate, one of 93 across the country, is a proud part of the National Founded in 1948 as an independent social Urban League movement. That movement service agency, the Greater Cincinnati started in the early 20th century, following Urban League is dedicated to positively the U.S. Supreme Court’s approval of racial affecting generations of people through segregation in the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson economic equality and self-sufficiency. decision. African-Americans moved by the tens of thousands from the South to escape Its earliest efforts focused on helping African- its brutal system of economic, social, and Americans who had migrated from the South political oppression. Separate was not equal. to northern cities and industrial centers in search of jobs. Through the years, following Yet newcomers to the North realized quickly its incorporation in 1949, the local Urban they were not free from racial discrimination League affiliate has worked to help African- and knew they would need help to gain equal Americans and others living in poverty in five housing, employment beyond menial jobs, areas: job training and placement, advocacy, and educational rights. Following the merger health, youth development, and leadership. of several black-advocacy and civil rights Those elements are the basis of everything groups through the decade of 1910-1919, the League does today as it envisions strong the National League on Urban Conditions African-American families that are well- Among Negroes emerged in 1920 with the educated, healthy, and able to contribute shortened name the National Urban League. significantly to their communities.

134 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities The Greater Cincinnati Urban League step program that teaches participants how merged in 2012 with the newly created Miami to connect with potential employers. ACE, Valley Urban League and legally became which stands for Accelerated Call Center the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Education, is an intensive four-week program Ohio, Inc. This regional affiliate’s service area that helps participants develop customer- covers Greater Cincinnati, Greater Dayton, service skills necessary to obtain meaningful and Northern Kentucky. and stable employment, primarily in the call center industry. SOAR, the Urban This regional League today works in four League’s flagship job-readiness programs, major program areas: otherwise known as Solid Opportunities for Advancement and Retention, was created Youth Development in 1998. Seventy-five percent of graduates After School League increases student find employment within three months of academic achievement through academic graduation. Suit Yourself Gentleman’s and cultural enrichment opportunities and Clothing Closet provides male graduates provides small-group tutoring in math and of programs professional business attire reading. Project Ready is based on the and suits for interviewing with prospective National Urban League’s flagship college employers. Female participants receive access program and prepares students in interview clothing from Dress for Success, a grades 9-12 for success. The Summer nonprofit partner organization. Youth Employment Program and Urban Youth Employment Program train Construction Connections is an eight- youths on appropriate workplace behavior week pre-apprenticeship training program and attire, and work with public and private that prepares participants for careers in the employers to create summer and year- construction industry. It is a collaboration around job opportunities. between the Greater Cincinnati Urban League of and Allied Construction Jobs, Economic Empowerment, Industries, and receives funding from the Workforce Development Ohio Department of Transportation. The Employment Connections is a seven- Greater Cincinnati Urban League partners

About the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio 135 with Cincinnati Public Schools to provide effort dedicated to building businesses in our General Education Degree, GED, training. community and to economic empowerment of Financial Opportunity Centers were women-owned businesses in our region. established to help low-to-moderate income families boost earnings, reduce expenses, Justice and make appropriate financial decisions The African-American Leadership that lead to asset building. Development Program, created in 2003, has served 600 African-American Economic Empowerment professionals in a 10-month journey that The Cincinnati Economic Empowerment exposes them to critical issues facing the Center helps established entrepreneurs take community. The Greater Cincinnati Urban advantage of new business opportunities League houses the Community Police and qualify for financing that will lead Partnering Center and supports its to higher levels of business growth. The efforts to create problem-solving strategies Small Business Development Center is regarding police-community relations. The a one-stop shop for business and technical Sickle Cell Awareness Group provides assistance, counseling, business plan awareness, education, and screening services preparation, strategic planning, financial to those Greater Cincinnati residents and forecasting and analysis, and market family members affected by this disease. planning. The African-American Business Development Program is a comprehensive For more information, please go to the five-month program designed for African- website www.gcul.org, or call (513) 281- American business owners who want to 9955. The Urban League of Greater build sustainable companies and create Southwestern Ohio and the Greater employment opportunities for the community. Cincinnati Urban League, 3458 Reading The Ohio River Valley/Women’s Business Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229. Enterprise Council is a collaborative

136 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio Board of Trustees 2015

Chair Ms. Karen Bankston, Ph.D. Ms. Peg Moertl President/CEO Sr. Vice President, Territory Executive KDB and Associates Consulting Services, LLC Community Development Banking PNC Bank Mr. Gregory W. Battle Owner Treasurer Motor Techniques Inc. Mr. David F. Neyer Executive Vice President/Principal Rev. Charles Brown, Ph.D. AI. Neyer, Inc. Pastor Bethel Missionary Baptist Church First Vice Chair and Secretary Mr. Michael D. Connelly Mr. Clinton J. Brown President/CEO CEO/Owner Mercy Health Alliance Engineering LLC

Immediate Past Chair Mr. Herbert R. Brown Mr. Richard Dyer Sr. Vice President President/General Manager Western & Southern Financial Group WLWT, Channel 5

About the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio 137 Mr. J. Phillip Holloman Mr. Jeffrey Parker President/COO President Cintas Corporation Convenience Stores, Small Format and Supermarket Petroleum Group Ms. Terry B. Joyner, Ed.D. The Kroger Co. President/CEO Systems Solutions, LLC Ms. Alandes Powell Sr. Vice President, Dir. of Collections Ms. Helen Jones-Kelley Program Mgmt. Group Executive Director Citibank Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board for Montgomery County, Ohio Ms. Raquel Purcell Director, Global Packaging Purchases Mr. Richard P. Lofgren, M.D. Procter & Gamble President/CEO UC Health Mr. Thomas A. Schlehuber Southwest Ohio District President Mr. Shawn T. Niehaus KeyBank Senior Vice President and Head of Retail Banking Ms. Kathleen B. Selker Fifth Third Bank President/CEO Northlich Mr. Jerry Oliphant Executive Vice President/COO Mr. James A. Sluzewski TriHealth, Inc. Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and External Affairs Ms. Tashawna Thomas Otabil Macy’s, Inc. Director, Physician Contracts United Healthcare Ms. Marian Spencer Community Volunteer

138 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Mr. Levon Thompson, Jr. Ms. Tywauna Wilson President/COO Director, Mobile Diagnostics Foxx Construction University of Cincinnati Medical Center

Ms. Adrienne Trimble Young Professionals President General Manager, Diversity & Inclusion Ms. Ashlee Young Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing Evaluation Fellow North America, Inc. Interact for Health

Guild President Ms. Carolyn N. Turner, Ph.D. Community Volunteer

About the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio 139 Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio Advisory Board

Chair Mr. Steve Brown Ms. Alandes Powell Director, Kroger Sr. Vice President Wrigley’s Dir. of Collections Program Mgmt. Group Citibank Mr. Michael Carter President and CEO Ms. Donna Jones Baker Strive for College President & CEO Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio Ms. Eileen Cooper-Reed Retired Attorney Mr. Gregory W. Battle Owner Mr. Alphonso Cornejo Motor Techniques Inc. President Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA Mr. Kylee Barnett Diversity Relations Coordinator Ms. Mary Jane Good Cincinnati Reds District Director SCORE Mr. Tim Blankenhorn Huntington Bank Mr. Lonnie Grayson President and CEO Mr. Sherman Bradley Environmental and Safety Solutions, Inc. Cincinnati, OH 45237 140 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Ms. Charlotte Harris Mr. Patrick Longo African American Chamber Greater Vice President and HCBC Director Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky HDCDC

Ms. Renee Mahaffey-Harris Ms. Robin Martin Executive Director Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion The Center for Closing the Health Gap University of Cincinnati

Mr. J. Phillip Holloman Mr. Peter McConney President& Chief Operating Officer President Cintas Corporation Premier Mail and Fulfillment, Inc.

Mr. Kevin Holt Ms. Debra Milage Treasurer, Veterans Service Community Total Outsource Systems (TOS) Jobs and Family Services Ms. Tashawna Thomas Otabil Ms. Terry B. Joyner, Ed.D. Director Physician Contracts President/CEO United Healthcare Systems Solutions, LLC. Ms. Monica Posey, Ed.D. Mr. Eric Kearney Academic Vice President Former State Senator Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Mr. Robert LaMothe MBE Portfolio Manager Ms. Barbara Rayford-Smith Cincinnati Regional USA President Alpha Boule Ms. Cathy Lindemann President Evolution Creative Solutions

About the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio 141 Mr. Sean Rhiney Mr. Stephen Tucker Director, Eigel Center Senior Manager of Industry Partnership Xavier University Partners for a Competitive Workforce

Ms. Debra Robb Ms. Carolyn N. Turner, Ph.D. Director of Community Revitalization Guild President Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Urban League Greater Southwestern Ohio Authority Ms. Rea Waldon, Ph.D. Mr. John Scott Former COO Senior Specialist Community Relations Urban League Greater Southwestern Ohio Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Mr. Mark Walton Mr. Marcus Taylor VP and Manager, Private Banking North Former Regional Vice President of Sales Region Anthem Fifth Third Bank

Mr. Ronald Todd Mr. Gregory Webb President Vice President, Chief Operating Officer SEEP, LLC DAG Construction

Ms. Alicia Townsend Ms. Vanessa Y. White Vice President, Community Affairs Manager Community Volunteer U.S. Bank

Ms. Fredda Tramber Former Administrative Assistant Urban League Greater Southwestern Ohio

142 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities A call to action

Join us: Time to act is now – not later ongoing efforts to end race-based economic, health, and social disparities. This report has laid out facts and strong opinions that, for some readers, may be We have formed a “Guiding Coalition” difficult to read and digest. of organizations and individuals willing to work tirelessly to decrease the For many, however, this collection overrepresentation of African-Americans of statistics paints a bleak, possibly in all of society’s ills. This mechanism is overwhelming snapshot of Cincinnati’s designed to allow anyone who wants to be African-American community and its part of the solution to have a point of entry. economic and social challenges. We believe strongly that the findings of this report demand action. We also believe Yet we do not have time to feel badly and strongly that solutions to the ills identified throw up our hands in despair. We must act, in the report will require the power and and we must act now with unprecedented focused energy of the entire community, cooperation, focus, and intentionality. if we are to turn the tide of disparity into generational prosperity. Solving these Those reasons are why we, the Urban problems will require bold thinking and League of Greater Southwestern Ohio cooperation unseen previously in Cincinnati. and one of our subsidiaries, the Greater Cincinnati Urban League, are taking the We all have a stake in whether our urban lead. Still, we want to make clear we are not neighborhoods sink further or rise. reducing or criticizing, in any way, all of the About the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio 143 We are encouraged by community members with diversity of thought and experience who are calling for a sweeping $50 million are better at developing new markets than investment in reducing the poverty that homogeneous ones. Recruiters recognize leads to hopelessness and unchecked that multicultural employees are more violence in our neighborhoods. easily retained when they see evidence of opportunity…and when they have social National Urban League President Marc and cultural connections outside of work. Morial, the former mayor of New Orleans, A growing body of research suggests explains that shared stake this way: “In the that companies with more diversity and 21st century, those communities with broad inclusion—including the boardroom—post divides are going to be less attractive for better performance over time.” business expansion and business relocation.” Lifting our region’s economically and socially Agenda 360, a collection of business and deprived communities lifts us all. Let’s get community leaders who created the regional serious about this effort once and for all. action plan Diverse by Design, put it in Your Urban League is all in. Please join us. these words: “It’s clear that our region’s diversity is not comparable to the country To become a part of the Guiding Coalition as a whole. We believe that regions that and for further information on how reflect the new demographics will be better you can help, please contact the Urban prepared to grow and prosper. …Our top League of Greater Southwestern Ohio at: companies know that multicultural teams [email protected]

144 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Current members of Guiding Coalition

Ms. Anzora Adkins Mr. Phil Black President President Evanston Community Council Sentinel Police Association

Mrs. Daphne Baines The Rev. Paul Booth First Lady Pastor Southern Baptist Church Legacy Pointe Church

The Rev. Robert Baines Jr. Mrs. Stephanie Wright Byrd Pastor Executive Director Southern Baptist Church United Way Success by 6

Dr. Karen Bankston Ms. Danelle Carter President and CEO President KDB and Associates Consulting Services Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Cincinnati Alumnae Chapter Mr. Michael Battle Executive Vice President/Provost Mr. Carlton Collins National Underground Railroad Freedom Vice President Center Greater Cincinnati Urban League Young Professionals

About the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio 145 Mrs. Eileen Cooper Reed Mrs. Elizabeth Henley Community Volunteer President Cincinnati Queen City Alumnae Chapter, Mr. Ozie Davis Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Executive Director Avondale Comprehensive Development Corp. Bishop Bobby Hilton Pastor Dr. Charles O. Dillard Word of Deliverance Ministries Community Volunteer Mr. Nathaniel Jones Mrs. Pamela Doyle Counselor at Law President Blank Rome, LLP Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Phi Psi Omega Chapter Mr. Eric Kearney Former State Senator Mr. Eric Ellis President/Owner Mrs. Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney Integrity Development Corporation Publisher The Cincinnati Herald Mrs. Susan Farley Mayor Mrs. Dolores J. Lindsay Village of Woodlawn CEO The HealthCare Connection Mr. Willie Franklin Minister Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr. Inspirational Baptist Church Pastor New Jerusalem Baptist Church Mrs. Delores Hargrove-Young President/COO XLC Services

146 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Dr. Noble Maseru Mrs. Sandra B. Parks Health Commissioner President Cincinnati Health Department Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sigma Omega Chapter Mrs. Chandra Mathews-Smith Past President Mrs. Bridget B. Patton Cincinnati Queen City Alumnae Chapter, Director of Public and Community Affairs Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Office of Mayor John Cranley

Mr. Spencer McKinney Mrs. Gwen Robinson-Benning President President and CEO 100 Black Men of Greater Cincinnati, Inc. Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency Mrs. Winona A. McNeil President Mr. Sean Rugless Cincinnati (OH) Chapter of the Links, Inc. President and CEO African-American Chamber of Greater Dr. Keith Melvin Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky Internal Medicine Mercy Health Mr. Christopher Shropshire President Ms. Patricia Milton Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Beta Iota President Chapter Avondale Community Council Rev. Dr. K.Z. Smith Dr. O’dell Owens Pastor President Corinthian Baptist Church Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

About the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio 147 Mrs. Lisa Smith Ms. Jeri Tolliver Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Phi Psi Omega Community Volunteer Chapter Ms. Carolyn N. Turner, Ph.D. Mrs. Marian Spencer President Community Volunteer Urban League Guild

Mrs. Emily Spicer Dr. Roosevelt Walker III Retired Educator President Cincinnati Medical Association Ms. Victoria Straughn Concerned Citizens for Justice Mrs. Vanessa Y. White Community Volunteer Mrs. Annette Tarver CPM, President Ms. Brenda Woods Blackwell Consulting Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Phi Psi Omega Chapter Overseer Ennis Tait Pastor Rev. Dr. Fred Wright Church of the Living God Pastor Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church Ms. Marsha Thomas President Ms. Ashlee Young Black Nurses Association of Greater Cincinnati President Greater Cincinnati Urban League Young Mr. Dwight Tillery Professionals President Center for Closing the Health Gap

148 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities Acknowledgments

Many minds, hands, hearts made this Thank you, Jenny, for your many years of document possible service to the Greater Cincinnati Urban League and larger community. It is with a deep sense of humble appreciation that individuals who have contributed to the My gratitude also is poured out on those production of this publication are recognized. intimately connected to the Urban League – our board and staff of the Urban League We start with the Agnes and Murray Seasongood of Greater Southwestern Ohio, Greater Good Government Foundation. Without its early Cincinnati Urban League, and Miami Valley and continued support, we would not have been Urban League. Each has my appreciation for able to get the project started. their review and critical examination of this document. Members of the Executive Team of A generous contribution from the Castellini the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Foundation is allowing us to more widely Ohio were particularly invaluable. I especially distribute this report. thank Peg Moertl, Michael D. Connelly, Richard Dyer, Karen Bankston, Alandes I want to thank Jenny Laster who began Powell, Marian Spencer, Herbert Brown, and coordinating this document in late 2012. David Neyer, whose insights and perspectives Only an illness and subsequent retirement shaped much of our work. kept her from seeing it through. Jenny is one of this community’s stalwart fighters. Constance Phillips’ patience and dedication Her early input, insights, and determination can’t be acknowledged enough. She coordinated were instrumental in this final publication. dozens of meetings, made and returned

About the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio 149 hundreds of phone calls, created a myriad of indebted to experts who wrote for this documents, filed and typed and printed and publication. Each worked long hours to share “found” documents too numerous to count. Her important viewpoints and information. Each demeanor of helpfulness and cheerfulness did member of the team that contributed articles not waiver. Thank you, Constance. has been spectacular to work with.

I am personally indebted to Stephanie I appreciate those community leaders, Reynolds, S. Gregory Baker, Bobby Harrison, particularly Karen Bankston, the Rev. Damon and Mark Curnutte. Stephanie and Greg are Lynch Jr., and former Cincinnati Mayor Dwight my anchors – period. They read, listened, and Tillery – who helped initiate our call to create a allowed me to lean on them when necessary. “Guiding Coalition.” The coalition is a group of Bobby provided expert layout and graphic individuals willing to work tirelessly to decrease depiction of “The State of Black Cincinnati the black community’s over-representation in 2015: Two Cities.” Mark has been a godsend. the ills of society. We are creating a mechanism As the Urban League’s new Vice President of whereby anyone who wants to help will be Marketing, Communications & Key Initiatives, able to easily find their niche and begin their Mark took on this project with zeal. Without work. The creation of this coalition, the primary his editing, research, and dedication, this recommendation from this report, will develop publication would not have been as refined. He objectives for positive change in the black took pieces and glued them together to form the community and hold each of us accountable if outstanding publication we have today. positive change does not occur.

I would like to acknowledge Eric Ellis and And, finally, I thank you, the reader, for taking the staff of Integrity Development for their time to reflect on this report and for what I creation and compilation of the ideas and know will be your affirmative response to our perceptions of inclusion. We appreciate all request for help build a better Cincinnati for all. who responded to the survey. Donna Jones Baker The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Cincinnati, Ohio Ohio and the community at-large are July 13, 2015

150 The State of Black Cincinnati 2015: Two Cities NUL AR Cover_Layout 1 8/18/15 4:13 PM Page 3

CREDITS Editor: Mark Curnutte Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio Creative Design: Bobby Harrison Harrison Group, Inc., Uptowne Graphics Cover Photo: Alan Brown Photonics Graphics, Inc. Other Photography: Mark Curnutte and Greater Cincinnati Urban League file Layout: Alan Brown and Michelle Markwell Photonics Graphics, Inc. Copy Editor: Bill Thompson Hand Models: Arletta Darden, Sheldon Hodnett NUL AR Cover_Layout 1 8/18/15 4:13 PM Page 4

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