The City Leader's Compass to the My Brother's Keeper Landscape

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES

The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES The City Leaders Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape About the National League of Cities The National League of Cities (NLC) is the nation’s leading advocacy organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. Through its membership and partnerships with state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource and advocate for more than 19,000 cities and towns and more than 218 million Americans. NLC’s Center for City Solutions provides research and analysis on key topics and trends important to cities and creative solutions to improve the quality of life in communities. Learn more at www.nlc.org. Table of Contents

5 Introduction About the Race Equity and Leadership (REAL) Initiative 6 Part I: Understanding the Current MBK Landscape In the wake of the 2014 unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, the National League of Cities (NLC) created the Race, 28 Part 2: Maximizing Municipal Leadership in MBK Equity and Leadership (REAL) initiative to strengthen local leaders’ knowledge and capacity to eliminate 36 Part 3: Launching your City’s MBK Initiative racial disparities, heal racial divisions and build more equitable communities. REAL offers tools and resources designed to help local elected leaders build safe places where people from all racial, ethnic 42 Part 4: Achieving Success within the MBK Milestones and cultural backgrounds thrive socially, economically, academically and physically. Learn more at www.nlc.org/REAL.

Special Thanks to Our Funders The National League of Cities would like to thank the Open Society Foundations and the Kresge Foundation for their generous support of the REAL initiative and their contributions to this report.

About the Authors Timothy A. Evans is Principal Associate at the NLC University, Dr. Leon D. Caldwell is Founder and Managing Principal at Strategic Learning Partners, LLC and Leon T. Andrews, Jr. is Director of NLC’s REAL initiative.

Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge Roxanne Bradley-Tate who designed the report, and Leslie Happ who helped edit the report. The authors would also like to thank the following people for their additional assistance and input:

PolicyLink: Institute for Youth, Andrew Moore Other NLC staff: Marc Philpart Education and Families: Jaime Nash Brian Egan Jordan Thierry Denise Belser Sue Polis (Communications Courtney Coffin Dr. Tonja Rucker Eric Howard City Solutions: Alana Eicher Dawn Schluckebier (Data Analytics) Gideon Berger Laura Furr Alyia Smith-Parker Gaskins Chelsea Jones Carlos Delgado Heidi Goldberg Nicholas Wallace (REAL) Emily Robbins Nancy Lim Katie Whitehouse

Jess Zimbabwe Todd Wilson

Across the country, a growing number of their journey through the MBK landscape city leaders and diverse stakeholders are to identify tangible ways to change broken committing to addressing the disparities that systems. face our nation’s boys and men of color and their respective communities. City leaders are Using lessons learned through previous tackling disparities by focusing on indicators, technical support, interviews with local such as high school graduation rates, elected officials and senior city staff, input unemployment rates and arrest rates, among from internal and external experts, as well as others. To continue to improve outcomes for research and analysis, this guide highlights a boys and men of color, the commitment to comprehensive set of actions cities can take addressing these disparities by city leaders to reduce disparities. The actions are less will be critical. about specific programs than the systemic changes that span the six MBK milestones. In February 2014, former President Barack Additionally, it is important to note that while Obama’s administration launched the all the strategies are not from MBK cities, My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Community they represent actions that can be tailored Challenge and the “MBK Task Force Report.” for MBK cities to support boys and men of This was a pivotal point in expanding color locally. the number of city leaders who became committed to improving outcomes for boys As this guide was crafted for cities, there are and men of color (BMoC). The continued sections that may not align completely with commitment of the Obama Foundation and the original MBK language, but all sections MBK Alliance to sustain this work will be vital are tailored to support cities’ efforts to take to its future success. local action.

Recognizing that cities are one of the As your city begins or continues its journey main vehicles that drive systemic change, through the MBK landscape, this guide will be the National League of Cities (NLC)—in an effective compass and ongoing reference collaboration with stakeholders and funders— tool as you consider actions to improve supported numerous cities as they maximized outcomes for boys and men of color. It is their local, community-focused role to important to remember that a city leader’s address the disparities facing boys and men unique opportunity is in taking policy action of color (initially, black men and boys). We to undo the systems that create the barriers recognize that the defining force behind these to success that boys and men of color face disparities is the institutional systems that daily. We look forward to supporting your city continually fail to create the environment for on its journey through the MBK landscape, boys and men of color to succeed. Therefore, which will improve the lives of boys and this guide provides a resource to help local men of color and their communities for elected officials and senior city staff on generations to come. Happy traveling!!

US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA POSES WITH YOUTH AT THE MY BROTHERS KEEPER LAUNCH IN NEW YORK CITY, MAY 2015 (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/GETTY IMAGES) NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 5 Part I: WHAT WE LEARNED There are 17.6 million self-reported boys and men of color in MBK cities nationally. FROM THE FIELD These communities range from urban to Understanding rural, and from populations of fewer than Since the launch of MBK Community Challenge, cities of all sizes across the 50,000 to greater than 1 million. Additionally, country have made strides toward improving more than 30 percent of self-reported boys the Current outcomes for boys and men of color. and men of color in the U.S. are represented Whether establishing an advisory council in MBK cities, evidence that many local or convening decision-makers to launch a elected officials across the country have MBK Landscape citywide initiative, city leaders have played acknowledged and committed to addressing a definitive role in shaping the environment the existing and growing disparities in their and changing systems that impact males cities. of color.

While this work has produced observable Boys and Men of Color Impacted by MBK successes in many communities, there is still more work to be done. From understanding the status of all MBK cities and communicating strategies to support the network, to helping cities effectively advocate for change locally and building strong peer networks—there are strategies that can move this work forward. Understanding each city’s status and direction can help national funders and partners across the field allocate resources to MBK cities that need them the most.

BMoC Data in MBK Cities

Since the initiative started in 2014, MBK cities Entire U.S. MBK Cities are already touching the lives of: This represents more than 30% of self-reported boys and men of color in the U.S.

17,604,023* Boys & Men of Color *Based on ACS 2011-2015 ACS 5-Year PUMS Files

FORMER MAYOR WILLIAM BELL, BIRMINGHAM, AL NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 7 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

Demographics Boys and Men of Color Impacted by MBK When disaggregating the data further by Even with the success that we have race and ethnicity, black and Hispanic males seen as several mayors and city leaders represent the largest group, close to 85 have committed to My Brother’s Keeper, 100% percent, among boys and men of color within there is still more work to be done. After 90% MBK cities. The disaggregated data in MBK disaggregating the 30 percent of boys and cities reflects the entire population of boys men of color within MBK cities, fewer than 30 80% and men of color. percent of men within each racial group are 70% being touched.

60%

50%

40%

Boys and Men of Color Impacted by MBK 30% 20%

10% 9,000,000.00

0% 8,000,000.00 Hispanic Black Other Asian Two or More American Paciﬁc Islander/ Races Indian/Alaskan Hawaiian Native 7,000,000.00 Native

6,000,000.00

5,000,000.00 “I accepted the challenge … If more Mayors would accept the MBK 4,000,000.00 challenge and work … We can reduce the disparities facing all boys and men of color.” 3,000,000.00 MAYOR WILLIAM JOHNSON | HOLLY HILL, SC 2,000,000.00

1,000,000.00

Basic Data Indicators of Success Hispanic Black Other Asian Two or More American Paciﬁc Races Indian / Islander / Across some basic indicators such as poverty income below the poverty level than white Alaskan Native Hawaiian Native and educational attainment within MBK cities, males. When the data is disaggregated by regardless of the successes that MBK cities race and ethnicity, black males are 2.5 times may witness locally, there is still a need for more likely to be in poverty among MBK more systemic actions. cities than other racial groups.

Poverty—Among males, boys and men of color are two times more likely to have an

8 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 9 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

Percentage of Males with Income below While there is work still to be done, the data • More than 50 percent of the MBK plans the Poverty Level among MBK Cities points demonstrates a momentum in the target all six milestones. nation among city leaders to address the disparities facing boys and men of color • Milestone 3 (Graduating from high school 20.00% and shines a light on where cities need to ready for college and career) was selected by 84 percent of the MBK cities as a target 15.00% continue to target resources. area of focus, making it the most selected 10.00% Additionally, as with any change in milestone among the six milestones. administration nationally or locally, there is a 5.00% need to find ways to sustain the momentum • Only 40 percent of the plans specifically and efforts beyond a given term or change focus on boys and men of color versus all 0.00% in political priority. This document seeks to youth. White Black Hispanic American Paciﬁc Asian (Non-Hispanic) Indian Islander/ support local elected officials’ ability to start /Alaskan Hawaiian Native Native and sustain their efforts.

Educational Attainment—The continuum degree than white males. Some of the of education attainment in the graph below barriers that lead to this disparity are based “Generations of men and boys of color will reap the benefits of illustrates that the gap between boys and on the resources available to support boys President Obama’s leadership in addressing their needs. This work men of color and white males in graduating and men of color at educational institutions. extends beyond who is in the White House. We have a responsibility to from high schools has closed. However, Additionally, in some communities in which provide equal opportunity to education, jobs and careers. By removing significant disparities remain elsewhere (i.e., boys and men of color live investments barriers for some of our most vulnerable citizens, we all win.”

college completion) along the continuum, to cultivate their talents are limited. The which restrict boys and men of color from mismatch between talent and opportunity MAYOR KAREN FREEMAN-WILSON | GARY, IN opportunities that can lead to their success. is a major barrier to their ability to achieve Boys and men of color are 4.5 times less success. likely to have completed college or a higher MBK Plans/Reports in MBK Cities • All of the plans have demonstrated Based on what is known publicly to date, support from a local elected official through a letter of commitment in the Median Percent of Educational Attainment in MBK Cities this section provides a glimpse into the report and/or media reports highlighting 30.00% actions of current MBK cities. These data points are based on researching their support. 25.00% and analyzing MBK plans, news reports, • Fewer than 20 percent of the plans 20.00% conversations with cities and the White acknowledge they have completed a House MBK reports. The data below do policy analysis, and the actions in a 15.00% not, however, reflect the breadth of cities significant number of plans are more that have committed to MBK, which further 10.00% program focused, rather than systems emphasizes the need for an environmental 5.00% focused. scan of all MBK cities to understand what 0.00% action looks like on all levels. • Fewer than 40 percent of the MBK plans 1 – Less High School Education 2 – High School Graduate 3 – Some College or 4 – Bachelors Degree Associates Degree or Higher have demonstrated a commitment to Across the publicly available 50 MBK plans disaggregating data by race, gender and BMoC White (Non-Hispanic) that we reviewed, we learned: ethnicity.

10 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 11 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

MBK Cities involvement in to align these various initiatives. Learn about BMoC initiatives three of the national partners that support MBK Cities that are “Cities United” Cities BMoC initiatives that target city leader Of the 193 MBK cities across the country, participation, and use the map to locate several are also involved in other national your city and region leveraging these other initiatives that focus on boys and men of national initiatives to improve outcomes for color. Their involvement in a variety of boys and men of color. initiatives at the mayoral level demonstrates a strong commitment to improving outcomes for boys and men of color, and provides an opportunity for city leaders

MBK Cities that are “Opportunity Youth” Cities MBK Cities that are “BMA” Cities

12 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 13 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

Opportunity Opportunity Cities Youth Bloomberg Cities Youth Bloomberg City State MBK Cities United Incentive Associate City State MBK Cities United Incentive Associate Cities Fund Cities Cities Fund Cities Grantee Grantee

Hobson AL X Santa Barbara CA X

Prichard AL X Stockton CA X

Anniston AL X X Vallejo CA X

Birmingham AL X X X West Sacramento CA X

Wilmot AR X San Francisco CA X X

Little Rock AR X X San Jose CA X X

Mesa AZ X Long Beach CA X X X

Tempe AZ X Los Angeles CA X X X

Phoenix AZ X X Oakland CA X X X X

Tucson AZ X X Denver CO X X X

Claremont CA X Bridgeport CT X

Coachella CA X Mashantucket CT X

Compton CA X New Haven CT X

Culver City CA X Hartford CT X X

East Palo Alto CA X Washington DC X X X

Fresno CA X Wilmington DE X

Hawthorne CA X Dania Beach FL X

Modesto CA X Lauderdale Lakes FL X

Oxnard CA X Miami FL X

Rialto CA X Palm Beach County FL X

Richmond CA X Sanford FL X

Riverside CA X St. Petersburg FL X

Sacramento CA X Miami Gardens FL X X

Santa Ana CA X Riviera Beach FL X X

14 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 15 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

Tallahassee FL X X Indianapolis IN X X

Tampa FL X X South Bend IN X X

Jacksonville FL X X Fort Wayne IN X X

Orlando FL X X Kansas City KS X

Albany GA X Louisville KY X X

Augusta GA X Baton Rouge LA X

Fulton County GA X Caddo Parish LA X

Macon GA X Jonesville LA X

Atlanta GA X X Saint Joseph LA X

Savannah GA X X Shreveport LA X

Kauai HI X New Orleans LA X X X

Davenport IA X Holyoke MA X

Des Moines IA X Springfield MA X

Dubuque IA X Newton MA X X

Boise ID X Boston MA X X X X

Aurora IL X Fairmount Heights MD X

Rockford IL X Mount Rainier MD X

Village of Phoenix IL X Forest Heights MD X X

North Chicago IL X X Salisbury MD X X

Chicago IL X X X Baltimore MD X X X X

Elkhart IN X Portland ME X

Goshen IN X Benton Harbor MI X

Nappanee IN X Buena Vista MI X

Gary IN X X Grand Blanc Township MI X

16 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 17 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

Highland Park MI X Salisbury NC X

Redford Township MI X Spring Lake NC X

Detroit MI X X Winston-Salem NC X

Flint MI X X Durham NC X X

Lansing MI X X Nashua NH X

Southfield MI X X Atlantic City NJ X

St. Paul MN X Bridgeton NJ X

Brooklyn Park MN X X East Orange NJ X

Minneapolis MN X X Jersey City NJ X

Ferguson MO X Newark NJ X

Normandy MO X Princeton NJ X

St Louis MO X Trenton NJ X

Kansas City MO X X Vineland City NJ X

Glendora MS X Camden NJ X X

Okolona MS X Albuquerque NM X X

Poplarville MS X Las Vegas NV X X

Starkville MS X Albany NY X

Yazoo City MS X Hempstead NY X

Greenville MS X X Ithaca NY X

Jackson MS X X New Rochelle NY X

Charlotte NC X Niagara Falls NY X

Creedmoor NC X North Hempstead NY X

Greensboro NC X Syracuse NY X

Hillsborough NC X Buffalo NY X X

18 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 19 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

Rochester NY X X Columbia SC X X

New York NY X X X Chattanooga TN X

Berea OH X Knoxville TN X X

Cincinnati OH X Memphis TN X X

Dayton OH X Nashville TN X X

East Cleveland OH X Brownsville TX X

Massillon OH X Edinburg TX X

Akron OH X X Fort Worth TX X

Cleveland OH X X Laredo TX X

Columbus OH X X Longview TX X

Portland OR X X Prairie View TX X

Carlisle PA X Austin TX X X

Johnstown PA X Dallas TX X X

Allentown PA X X Houston TX X X

Harrisburg PA X X San Antonio TX X X X

Pittsburgh/Alleghany County PA X X Salt Lake City UT X

Philadelphia PA X X X Chesapeake VA X

San Juan PR X Portsmouth VA X

Providence RI X X Richmond VA X

Denmark SC X Charlottesville VA X X

Goose Creek SC X Lummni Nation WA X

Holly Hill SC X Seattle WA X X

Union SC X Tacoma WA X X

Charleston SC X X Milwaukee PS WI X

20 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 21 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

the lost productivity spillovers across the Opportunity THE COST OF INACTION workforce. Cities Youth Bloomberg City State MBK Cities United Incentive Associate A disproportionate number of boys and Cities Fund Cities men of color face significant challenges The combined fiscal and social costs for Grantee that impact their ability to be contributing each opportunity youth in a city is $51,340 members of society. Regardless of the annually and $939,700 over their lifetime. Oak Creek WI X proportion of people that communities When looking at black and Hispanic males Madison WI X X of color represent in a city, city leaders’ specifically, the combined fiscal and social inaction—due to demographic size, civic cost for each male increases to $64,750 and Milwaukee WI X X engagement or personal belief—will result $52,750 respectively, and the total cost over Charles Town WV X in the community paying a high economic their respective lifetimes is $1,004,930 and price. The cost borne by residents can $914,930. Huntington WV X affect a city’s ability to leverage limited resources to be competitive in the local and Multiplying those costs by the more than Ranson WV X global market and reduce potential GDP by 1.5 million boys and men of color who are hundreds of thousands of dollars. opportunity youth, it is costing cities and residents more than $77 billion a year and $1.4 trillion over their lifetimes. The graphs Partner Resource Spotlight: below represent the local impact for small Based on the maps, here are some The Future of MBK Cities National Equity Atlas cities and medium to large cities based on preliminary facts that we have learned about MBK cities are at a pivotal point in improving the general number of boys and men of current MBK Cities. Researchers refer to youth who are not outcomes for boys and men of color. Cities color who are disconnected in cities. in school or college, are unemployed, and • Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, are taking promising actions that can be are between the ages of 16 and 24 as Massachusetts; and Oakland, California, implemented in other communities. There “opportunity youth,” and have calculated are the only cities that currently or in the are also future actions that can leverage a Small Cities the cost associated with them. Currently past have worked with all three BMoC city’s strengths and their sphere of influence more than 1.5 million boys and men of color For small cities, the costs for just 25 boys initiatives. (Note: A city’s involvement in to ensure greater impact on the success of in the U.S. are considered opportunity and men of color could range from $1.2 BMoC initiatives does not always translate boys and men of color. youth. There are two main costs that each million to $1.6 million annually and $22.8 into meaningful change on the local level.) MBK cities should: city incurs—fiscal (municipal/taxpayer) and million to $25.1 million over their lifetimes. • Only 37 percent of the MBK cities are broader social costs. The fiscal costs are These expenses can be astronomical for a involved in at least two of the three • Increase focus on policy, practices and lost taxes, additional health care paid for by city that is consistently managing limited national BMoC initiatives. procedures (systems change); the taxpayer, expenditures for the criminal resources to balance budgets, improve justice system and corrections, all welfare services and attract new residents and From the MBK map, cities should have a • Develop strategies that have a and social service payments and lost savings business. The calculations for small cities clearer sense of where the work is occurring generational impact and; in lower education spending. The social demonstrate that there are significant locally and nationally to support boys and costs to residents are lost gross earnings, costs for cities with disconnected boys • Institutionalize MBK structures within men of color. City leaders can also gain additional health expenditures, criminal and men of color, even when the number the city. insight on the existing national resources, justice system expenditures and victim is low. Despite the significant costs, small

which they can connect to and leverage costs, non-transferable welfare and social cities are better able to identify and target locally. service payments, public and private cost of opportunity youth, which can result in education, marginal excess tax burden and swifter changes in these communities.

22 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 23 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

Yearly Combined Fiscal and Social Costs for Small Cities by the Number of Opportunity Youth

$7,000,000

$6,000,000

$5,000,000

$4,000,000

$3,000,000

$2,000,000 MAYOR ROBERT GARCIA, LONG BEACH, CA $1,000,000

$0 Medium to Large Cities 25 50 100 For medium to large cities, the need to act These costs can hinder a city’s overall All Black Males Hispanic Males is also urgent, as having just 5,000 boys and success. It is incumbent on medium and large men of color who are disconnected can cost cities to see from an economic perspective between $256.7 million and $323.8 million the need to take action locally to improve yearly and between $4.7 billion and $5 billion outcomes for boys and men of color. over their lifetimes.

Lifetime Combined Fiscal and Social Costs for Small Yearly Combined Fiscal and Social Costs for Mid to Large Cities by the Number of Opportunity Youth Cities by the Number of Opportunity Youth

$100,000,000 $1,400,000,000 $90,000,000 $1,200,000,000 $80,000,000 $70,000,000 $1,000,000,000

$60,000,000 $800,000,000 $50,000,000 $600,000,000 $40,000,000

$30,000,000 $400,000,000 $20,000,000 $200,000,000 $10,000,000 $- $0 25 50 100 5,000 10,000 20,000

All Black Males Hispanic Males All Black Males Hispanic Males

24 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 25 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

Lifetime Combined Fiscal and Social Costs for Mid to Large Cities by the Number of Opportunity Youth

$25,000,000,000

$20,000,000,000

$15,000,000,000

$10,000,000,000

$5,000,000,000

$- 5,000 10,000 20,000

All Black Males Hispanic Males

As cities seek to compete in today’s market, results, it must be intentional about focusing they must deal with balancing priorities efforts to improve outcomes for boys and COUNCIL PRESIDENT ASHANTI HAMILTON, MILWAUKEE, WI locally. In NLC’s “State of the Cities Report,” men of color. the top challenges facing cities are the economy, budget and finance and public To learn more strategies for assisting boys safety. These issues are important for a and men of color who are opportunity city to thrive. When tackling the challenges youth, read the Forum for Youth in these areas by breaking them down Investment’s report, “Opportunity Youth by race and gender, most cities will find Playbook: A Guide to Reconnecting Boys that boys and men of color represent a and Young Men of Color to Education significant portion of the target audience. and Employment.” Consequently, for a city to see significant

“It is important that mayors engage and impact the lives of boys and men of color. We must understand that the success of each of our cities is based on the enhancement of our youth. Our willingness is to invest now so that the city of Birmingham’s youth can benefit for years to come.”

FORMER MAYOR WILLIAM BELL | BIRMINGHAM, AL

MAYOR TOM HENRY, FORT WAYNE, IN 26 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES Part 2: Regardless of city size, community the effective ones—are rarely scaled or demographic or location, municipal appropriately measured. Without city leaders leadership is integral in shaping the spending time to address environmental Maximizing Municipal conversation around boys and men of color, factors (housing, safety, health, employment, creating funding streams, passing legislation economic development), desired outcomes and building strong networks. With nearly will be realized only by a small number— Leadership in MBK 200 cities committed to the My Brother’s boys and men of color fortunate enough to Keeper Community Challenge, there is a be involved in select community programs need to ensure that current and future city offered by nonprofits and municipal leaders know the unique role they play, which agencies. Ultimately, city leaders have a complements the community, school districts larger role to play to ensure that systems and other sectors focused on improving and policies provide equitable opportunities outcomes for boys and men for boys and men of color to succeed. of color.

In this section, city leaders will learn some of the critical reasons why their leadership is TAKING ON THE TRIPLE needed, but also learn the various strategies P’S IN GOVERNMENT they can employ to lead their MBK efforts. City leaders have the unique opportunity to not only change the outcomes of boys and men of color by creating programs that THE IMPORTANCE target individuals, but also the systems that OF CITY LEADERSHIP perpetuate the generational barriers to IN MBK their success.

City leaders can use their spheres of Within municipal government, the areas influence and power to ensure the systemic that are usually invisible to the public and long-term success for boys and men of fall within the internal policies, practices color. They can raise the level of awareness and procedures, or the “Triple P’s.” In this and prioritize city resources to help address document, when the term “policy” is used, the disparities that impact our various it will describe an action that requires communities. legislation in the form of an ordinance. For example, “Ban the Box” laws are policies that As a caveat, several MBK cities tend to focus more than 100 cities have passed mainly heavily on programming for boys and men of through city council votes. color, rather than on the municipal policies, practices and procedures that impact their “Practices and procedures” are internal daily environments. Though programmatic administrative actions that impact the responses can be useful, they are often way a policy is implemented. For example, short-term and narrow fixes that are usually many cities are moving toward racial-equity dependent on funding. While they might budgeting practices. The city of Portland, satisfy constituents, many programs—even Oregon, has modified its practices and

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 29 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

“procedures to ensure that each department NLC’s history of working with cities. Refer assesses its funding priorities through to Part 4: Achieving Success within the MBK City Spotlight: Louisville, Kentucky a racial-equity lens—simply by asking, Milestones, to learn when these actions are Since Mayor Greg Fischer began his term Who benefits?” and, “Who is burdened by employed with each strategy through the as the mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, in 2011, department funding priorities?” icons represented. he has used his platform to focus on the

The key to making system change within plight of black men and boys. Within the local government is being willing to tackle Jefferson County public school system in the Triple P’s. By ignoring these, city leaders 2014, the suspension rate of black boys was will not effect the system changes needed three times that of white boys. Additionally, to positively impact boys and men of color the city discovered disparities facing black for generations to come. men and boys in other systems. The mayor’s commitment and advocacy for changing the outcomes of black men and boys led to the city joining NLC’s Black Male Achievement initiative, Cities United, and the My Brother’s “I formed the Office of Public Keeper Community Challenge. As part

Engagement to oversee of these efforts, the city raised $226,400 CONVENING STAKEHOLDERS to develop Zones of Hope, and the city and support the work of the A city leader’s voice and position can be donated $500,000 to its Reimage program effective in recruiting the right people to Mayor’s Office of Black Male to support their efforts and increase the table to address issues that negatively Engagement… a mission to national attention. Mayor Fischer leveraged impact boys and men of color. City leaders his platform to create awareness for the engage and empower are encouraged to actively recruit and challenges facing black men and boys, to individuals and organizations convene a diverse group across the various acquire funding and to engage the city to take action in dismantling sectors. ADVOCATING FROM THE BULLY PULPIT and community stakeholders. Campaign systems of inequity that create for Black Male Achievement CEO Shawn When considering who sits at the table, the In both mayor-council, and council-manager measurable change for our Dove has publicly identified the city as the stakeholders who should be represented are forms of government, it is imperative that young men.” epicenter for black male achievement. boys and men of color, businesses, nonprofit city leaders garner public support for, organizations, community members, local/ MAYOR JAMES KENNEY and city-wide commitment to, improving state/federal government agencies, program PHILADELPHIA, PA outcomes for boys and men of color. evaluators, local elected officials and school Without public support, MBK community- district representatives. The list above is not driven initiatives may be viewed as only meant to be exhaustive, but it can serve as a community-of-color challenges—never being starting point for cities. The critical question owned by the city at large. Therefore, city to ask when convening stakeholders to leaders leveraging the bully pulpit increase CITY LEADERSHIP support boys and men of color is, “Who is the odds that a diverse group of public/ ACTIONS missing from the table?” private sectors commit to critical action There are a number of ways municipal steps to improving outcomes for boys and leaders can effectively lead and support men of color. MBK efforts within their local communities. Highlighted below are four areas of actions seen in MBK communities and supported by MAYOR GREG FISCHER, LOUISVILLE, KY

30 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 31 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

uncommon in other parts of the city, and A lack of funding for community initiatives 284 boys and young men of color and which can compromise the health and safety can stunt the growth of great programs college access assistance provided to an of a community. With the Race and Social and city actions that would otherwise additional 550 MBK youth. Justice Initiative underway, city employees blossom. Cities should play a critical role in were well positioned to analyze the bringing funding to the My Brother’s Keeper Failure to leverage funding and resources underlying system that created this inequity. initiatives by self-funding, repurposing grant impedes the systemic changes needed They found that the complaint-based system funding and leveraging their resources to to impact boys and men of color for used to identify burnt-out streetlights fundraise for additional grants—including generations to come. was not working well for all communities. community and foundation investments—to With 80 percent of the neighborhood’s help further implement their MBK plans. population made up of people of color and more than half of the residents being low REAL’S CORE VALUES income, the city used a racial-equity tool TO ENGAGE THE City Spotlight: Orlando, Florida to understand the reason for the burnt- TRIPLE P’S FOR MBK out lights and developed a solution that The City of Orlando’s Families, Parks and COMMUNITIES ADOPTING/IMPLEMENTING POLICIES, changed policies and practices. Recreation department serves about 5,200 PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES boys and young men of color via robust Understanding the need for municipal youth programs at 18 recreation centers, leadership in changing polices, practices The one area in which municipal leaders play eight middle schools and five high schools and procedures of government systems is a critical role is adopting and implementing located throughout the city. The department critical. Race, Equity And Leadership (REAL) policies, practices and procedures. A also operates a comprehensive youth over the years has identified four core values lack of focus on this area could limit initiative in the city’s majority-community- for city leaders committed to improving the opportunity to reform policies that of-color Parramore neighborhood, which outcomes for boys and men of color. When compromise programmatic efforts and struggles across a number of success developing and implementing MBK locally, eliminate structural barriers, which could indicators (unemployment, crime, academic cities should integrate the values below otherwise increase the chances for success, etc.). The city has leveraged into their work to increase their chances of sustainable changes. Even if the community AmeriCorps VISTA funding to hire a My attaining the same or greater success as is focused on the city’s policies, practices Brother’s Keeper coordinator. It has also cities that have applied these values. and procedures, it may potentially miss embedded its MBK work throughout the the root causes that can only be seen or department by offering, among other changed internally within city government things, academic assistance, science and DISAGGREGATE AND SHARE DATA by a municipal leader. technology enrichment activities, college access assistance and youth employment Disaggregating data by race, ethnicity, LEVERAGING FUNDING AND opportunities to boys and young men of gender and geography allows a city to CITY RESOURCES City Spotlight: Seattle, Washington color in its citywide network of facilities gain a greater understanding of the BMoC and programs. Known as MBK Orlando, In many cases, city leaders have the ability population and where they live. As a result, The 2008 shooting of five black males in a the program aims to improve academic to modify and approve the city’s funding policymakers can learn how a policy might southeast neighborhood of Seattle caused performance, increase employment and priorities. Every city may not be able impact one group differently than others former Mayor Greg Nickels and his city staff reduce incarceration among this population. reallocate funds, but all cities have the and ultimately make better decisions. to tour the neighborhood to understand Successful outcomes include a 63 percent option to redirect staff time and leverage Without making a demographic distinction, the challenges facing the community. They drop in juvenile arrests in the Parramore city facilities to support their MBK initiative. it is challenging to measure impacts and found 80 burnt-out streetlights, which are neighborhood, employment obtained for effectiveness of interventions for each

32 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 33 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

milestone. Policy decisions that are based INCLUDE AND ENGAGE BOYS FOCUS INTERGENERATIONALLY AND on sound disaggregated data can positively AND MEN OF COLOR ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN impact boys and men of color and their families. Intentional inclusion and engagement of When working to improve outcomes for boys and men of color as equal partners in boys and men of color, there are critical Additionally, an effective communication analyzing and developing policies, practices points in their lives that directly impact strategy with disaggregated data will and procedures is critical to My Brother’s success. Whether reading at grade level improve public trust and add clarity to Keeper success within local communities. by the end of third grade, or reducing interventions. Data is of its greatest benefit From understanding how policies and their contact with the justice system, the to boys and men of color when it is shared practices play out in the lives of boys and MBK milestones and Arnold Chandler’s with transparency across departments, men of color, to providing them a place “Life Course Framework for Improving companies, nonprofits and/or school at the table to advocate, vote and help to the Lives of Boys and Men of Color” lay districts. When data is maintained within implement city actions, their engagement out critical points and provide additional silos, cities run the risk of duplication should translate into power to shape insights for understanding the problem and and mismanagement of already limited city strategy. Every MBK city must find possible solutions. This document expands To reinforce children’s reading, cities must resources. Therefore, city governments must opportunities to include and engage boys on that work and will help city leaders consider the resource needs of parents and identify the legal routes to share data across and men of color early and in meaningful understand how they can impact boys and the community, whether it be improving departments, school districts and partner ways. The National League of Cities’ Institute men of color in ways that begin to break access to the location, expanding library or nonprofits to have the greatest impact on for Youth, Education and Families created, the cycle of poverty perpetuated through recreation hours, or even co-locating job boys and men of color. “Authentic Youth Civic Engagement: mass incarceration, lack of employment training, adult literacy programs and other A Guide for Municipal Leaders,” which offers opportunities, stagnant education services in the facility. The Forum for Youth a promising framework on engagement. attainment and the growth of single-parent Investment highlights federal resources such APPLY A RACIAL-EQUITY LENS families. Similarly, McDaniels and Caldwell’s as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families “Beyond Plight: Promoting the Optimal (TANF), the Child Care and Development Collecting and sharing disaggregated data Development of Black Boys and Men Block Grant (CCDBG) and the Workforce is a key step in applying a racial-equity Across the Life Course” takes an ecological Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) lens—the questions, “Who benefits?” and, perspective to promoting strengths and that cities and counties can leverage to “Who is burdened?” by a policy, program or “A positive step forward for assets. City leaders can use Beyond Plight support local efforts. This multi-generational procedure within city government. our community has been the tools to examine policies and propose strategy is ultimately what can help boys interventions that address the ecological of color and their families succeed.Finally, Applying a racial-equity lens should be Fort Wayne UNITED initiative. system. all these efforts must determine common an action step for all MBK cities as it is The activities and education metrics that indicate success. Across and focused on internal city barriers that have initiatives center on listening, Additionally, cities must simultaneously take within cities the strategic alignment of systemic implications. The assessment action that directly supports boys of color policies and programs must be focused on allows city leaders to understand the input and engagement and as well as their families, and promotes their potential implications of their actions while demonstrating growth in protective factors lasting, meaningful and successful outcomes. Especially within the providing greater information to advocate and decline in risk factors. Sustainability and positive impact on the lives early years of a child’s life, this strategy can for or against city or community action. It funding requires information on whether of black men and boys.” increase the potential success of the boy of is important to note that when applying a the policies and programs are reaching color by increasing the success of the parent racial-equity lens to city policies, practices desired goals. MAYOR TOM HENRY or guardian in his life. For example, imagine and procedures, the results may not be FORT WAYNE, IN that a city launches a citywide book reading seen immediately, but they will create initiative for kids through local libraries and opportunities for future generations of boys recreation centers. and men of color along with their families.

34 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 35 Part 3: STEPS FOR MBK ACTION

The MBK Alliance is taking the lead in MBK \Community Challenge City and Launching your supporting the MBK Community Challenge successfully launching and sustaining an MBK cities going forward. To be recognized as program locally. an MBK Community Challenge City, it is City’s MBK Initiative important to follow the four Playbook Action While supporting a select group of cities Steps outlined below. These steps are critical focused on Black Male Achievement (BMA), to effectively leveraging the bully pulpit, the National League of Cities created a BMA understanding the challenges facing the Roadmap to help cities develop their BMA community and building broad community plan and track their progress. The modified support to act. To further assist cities, BMoC Roadmap can be an effective tool a checklist is also provided to help to assist a city in completing the four MBK monitor progress toward becoming an Action Steps.

“Through MBK Orlando, our city is implementing a wide array of strategies to address persistent opportunity gaps in the lives of our young men of color.”

MAYOR BUDDY DYER | ORLANDO, FL

MAYOR BUDDY DYER, ORLANDO, FL

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 37 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

STEP 1: STEP 3: ACCEPT THE MBK COMMUNITY CHALLENGE CONDUCT A POLICY REVIEW & FORM RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION

To accept the MBK challenge as a mayor, contact MBK Alliance staff at As you conduct a policy review, it is important to have the right people in the room who are [email protected] and provide the following information: knowledgeable about both systems and programs. Additionally, the MBK team should have a clear sense of the places and systems that pose challenges for boys and men of color as it ■■ The designated point of contact on your staff, with contact information considers policy changes.

■■ Confirmation of your pledge to build and execute a plan that targets at least two of the To prepare for the policy review: six milestones ■■ Identify the data indicators and ways to track data that connect with each of the ■■ Announcement of your acceptance of the challenge with a press release or media previously identified challenge areas that current decision-makers have the power to statement change at a systems level.

■■ Engage decision-makers who are committing to be be at the table to identify STEP 2: opportunities to change systemic policies. CONVENE A “LOCAL ACTION SUMMIT” TO BUILD AN MBK COMMUNITY Consider using PolicyLink’s “Building Place-Based Initiatives for Boys and Men of Color and Take the following actions before the summit. Vulnerable Populations” when constructing your city’s policy review.

■■ Locate and convene boys and men of color and diverse decision-makers to identify: After conducting your review, reassess who should be at the table to effect meaningful systemic changes. • high-level challenges facing boys and men of color and their communities across the various systems STEP 4: • the structures needed to sustain the city’s commitment LAUNCH A PLAN OF ACTION, NEXT STEPS & A TIMETABLE FOR REVIEW ■■ Design the Local Action Summit to discuss and clarify: Before launching your local MBK action plan: • the previously identified high-level challenges facing boys and men of color ■■ Using the policy review insights, identify and commit to a set of comprehensive strategies • the community vision for boys and men of color to help inform the convening body’s that connect to data indicators and can lessen the disparities facing boys and men of color. vision—using an asset-focused approach • develop protocol for tracking data, benchmarks and timelines to ensure the transparent This summit should serve as the launching pad for greater conversation in the broader assessment of progress toward goals. community. Take the following actions after the summit. ■■ Strategically identify opportunities for community input throughout the planning process. ■■ Collect feedback from the community to develop a shared vision that is clear and ■■ Identify existing, new and potential resources needed for the city to implement policy concise for boys and men of color, and then report it back to the community. changes, while helping partners assess their resource needs. ■■ Finalize the sustainable structure and decision-makers who will initially be in the room. During the process of developing your plan, focus less on programs and more on policy change, as the policy change will have generational impact on boys and men of color. In the MBK Action Plan, create a community engagement plan to receive feedback during the implementation process.

FINALLY, LAUNCH YOUR MBK ACTION PLAN PUBLICLY!

38 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 39 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

FILL IN YOURSELF

STEP 1: STEP 3: ACCEPTING THE MBK COMMUNITY CHALLENGE CONDUCT A POLICY REVIEW

Which milestones will your city commit to tackling? List at least 1 recommendation What data points do you want to focus on to drive your city’s implementation for each milestone: of the community challenge?

Milestone:

Recommendation:

Milestone:

Recommendation:

STEP 2: STEP 4: CONVENE A “LOCAL ACTION SUMMIT” LAUNCH A PLAN OF ACTION

Brainstorm your city’s Local Action Summit: Which community organizations will you bring to the table by the launch of your plan of action? Who will plan:

What will you accomplish:

When will the event occur:

Where are potential locations for the summit:

40 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 41 Part 4: THE MBK MILESTONES This section offers specific actions that MBK Consequently, some city examples or Achieving Success cities can take to improve outcomes for boys strategies may not specifically target boys and men of color. The wording for some and men of color and may not come from milestones, recommendations and strategies MBK cities, but the goal is to provide MBK within the MBK is modified to focus specifically on city cities with strategies that are working for leaders’ action. The respective modifications communities across the country which can and strategies are based on conversations be tailored to fit their local needs. and work with MBK cities, other cities and Milestones These strategies allow for MBK cities with national experts in the field that have made progress in improving outcomes for boys and limited, intermediate or advanced capacities men of color. to identify actions that are meaningful for their respective communities.

STRATEGY IMPACT ON BMoC

Low These strategies may work, but typically have limited impact on boys and men of color and reach a small number of boys and men of color for a limited period.

Moderate These strategies have been implemented in some communities and have shown some evidence of success anecdotally and have broader impact, with some long-term success.

High These strategies have been shown through data, expert interviews and city accounts to impact boys and men of color or other groups at a systemic level.

CITY CAPACITY LEVEL

Limited Cities that are typically beginning conversations to accept the MBK Community Challenge. The city has limited MBK structural support, data to support MBK, funding and resources, and city leader support.

Intermediate Cities that are in the process of completing the initial four steps to become an MBK city. The city has developed some structures needed to sustain MBK, is currently building resource and funding sources, is able to collect and analyze general data, and has garnered some city leader support.

Advanced Cities that have completed the four MBK steps. The city has developed a sustainable MBK structure, secured funding/resources, constructed data collection and analysis feedback loop disaggregated at least by race and gender, engaged the community, and obtained strong city leader support.

MAYOR ERIC PAPENFUSE, HARRISBURG, PA NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 43 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

Effective Strategies for Cities MILESTONE 5: SUCCESSFULLY CONNECTING TO THE ECONOMY with Limited Capacity limited, intermediate and advanced capacities. This section specifically describes 5.1.2 Mentoring City Policies Pass policies to incentivize city staff to mentor through targeted Recognizing that MBK cities are at varying moderate- to high-impact strategies Impact: mentorship programs (Louisville, KY) points of capacity, we have highlighted for cities that have limited capacity to strategies that are suited to those with implement their MBK plans. 5.1.3 Private Sector Recruitment Recruit private companies to invest in the long-term success of boys Impact: and men of color to provide internships, job shadowing opportunities, apprenticeship programs and pathways to a career (Birmingham, AL) MILESTONE 1: ENTERING SCHOOL HEALTHY AND READY TO LEARN 5.3.4 Municipal Regional Collaborate regionally with local governments and regional stakeholders/ 1.2.2 Libraries/City Agencies Encourage/leverage libraries, museums and city agencies to support Collaboration partners to leverage combined resources to change the regional Support of Informal Care informal care providers and boys of color (Denver, CO) Impact: community (24.1 Missouri) Impact: 5.3.5 Municipal Staff Diversity Develop and execute strategic plan to ensure the city government reflects 1.2.3 Early Health and Collaborate with schools and health providers to promote Early Health and Impact: the community served (St. Paul, MN) Developmental Screenings Developmental Screenings (Houston, TX) Impact: 5.4.2 Cross-sector Regional Convene business, industries, education sectors and community Collaboration development groups through WIB or other entities to design and Impact: implement regional economic strategies, which can improve access to MILESTONE 2: READING AT GRADE LEVEL BY THIRD GRADE entrepreneurial workforce opportunities for BMoC (Harrisburg, PA)

2.2.3 Computers and Provide low-cost computers or tablets for low-income communities Tablet Access of color (Mooresville, NC) Impact: MILESTONE 6: REDUCING VIOLENCE AND PROVIDING A SECOND CHANCE

6.1.2 Violence Prevention Start and continue to implement violence- and gang-prevention initiatives. Impact: (Ceasefire, New Orleans, LA, Hampton, VA) MILESTONE 3: GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL READY FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER

3.3.2 After-school Coalition Build an after-school coalition focused on boys and men of color 6.2.1 Community Policing Implement recommendations from “21st Century Policing Report” Building (Brooklyn Park & Brooklyn Center, MN) Strategies Impact: Impact:

3.4.2 Citywide High School Set a community-wide goal for high school graduation 6.2.2 Community Conversation Host community conversations that bring the police and community Graduation Goal (Philadelphia, PA) Impact: together (Tacoma, WA) Impact:

6.4.1 Diversion Options Train city law enforcement officers on existing and new diversion programs MILESTONE 4: COMPLETING POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION OR CREDENTIALING Education to keep boys and men of color out of the judicial system and on how and Impact: when to use the programs. (Models for Change)

4.1.1 FAFSA Campaign Launch an annual FASFA campaign (Los Angeles, CA) Impact: 6.5.1 Re-entry Resources Advocate for services that address re-entry issues accurately and expunge Impact: criminal records, reinstate licenses and reduce excessive fines. (Clean Slate Clearinghouse)

4.2.2 Youth Council Create or activate youth council or community advisory group to provide Impact: insights on increasing postsecondary completion (Portland, OR) 6.5.3 Re-entry Jobs Leverage the bully pulpit to advocate for private sector participation in Impact: re-entry job opportunities (Charlottesville, VA)

4.2.3 Citywide Postsecondary Set a community-wide goal for college completion (Houston, TX) Graduation Goal Impact:

44 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 45 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

MILESTONE 1: 1.1.2 Word Gap a total of 104 million words, and three million Impact: conversational turns—the powerful back- ENTERING SCHOOL “No matter your background, Capacity Needed: and-forth volleys that build vocabulary. HEALTHY Long Beach is committed to Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding Early results show that nearly 60 percent ensure that all young people and City Resources of children who graduate from the program AND READY TO LEARN begin to hear more words. On average, the have equitable opportunities Leverage resources and partnerships to number of words they hear increases by and that city responds to address word gaps. 50 percent. The program also has benefits Within cities across the country, many address the barriers facing far beyond the city—Providence Talks is boys and men of color are not healthy and our young men of color.” helping to build the evidence base for the ready to learn due to a variety of social MAYOR ROBERT GARCIA City Spotlight: importance of parental talk and engagement, and economic issues that confront their LONG BEACH, CA Providence, Rhode Island and the program itself has the potential to communities. These communities of color be replicated in other communities. Read the are often centers of concentrated poverty. Providence Talks was developed during Providence Talks Playbook. Black, American Indian and Hispanic children Bloomberg Philanthropies’ 2013 Mayors are between six and nine times more Challenge. The Mayors Challenge is an likely than white children to live in areas of 1.1 RECOMMENDATION: ideas competition that encourages cities to 1.2 RECOMMENDATION: concentrated poverty. Additionally, whites CLOSE THE “WORD GAP” AND SUPPORT generate innovative ideas that solve major ENSURE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY make up 44 percent of the nation’s poor, ENRICHING HOME ENVIRONMENTS challenges and improve city life—and which have the potential to spread to other cities. EARLY CARE, EDUCATION AND HEALTH but account for only 18 percent of the poor Closing the “word gap” is a critical need The City of Providence received $5 million to FOR BOYS OF COLOR, THEIR PARENTS living in concentrated poverty. Living within for boys of color to enter school on a implement the initiative. AND OTHER CARING ADULTS concentrated poverty, boys and men of level playing field with their peers. As color are more likely to be exposed to issues boys and men of color and their families Then-Mayor Angel Taveras knew that most Another area city leaders should focus on is such as trauma, lead, unsafe drinking water, are more likely to live in concentrated of Providence’s children were entering the long-term health and success of boys of poorly organized public systems, as well as poverty, these children speak and hear far kindergarten behind. He and his team color in their early years. These communities unhealthy child care providers and facilities— fewer conversations overall, leading to an took the opportunity to propose a city-led should have access to the appropriate which can jeopardize their school readiness. aggregate deficit that results in a 30-million intervention that would address achievement resources. City leaders play an important City leaders must take an approach focused word gap before entering school. This gap disparities at the earliest stage possible, role in providing alternative opportunities on the policies and practices that negatively creates a divide that is further perpetuated taking advantage of children’s rapid brain for communities of color to receive the impact boys of color, their families and by life experiences and environments. City development between birth and age three. educational and health resources they may the environments in which they are raised. leaders can play a strategic role in assessing not have access to during the early years The MBK cross-cutting recommendations and developing additional opportunities for The resulting program, Providence Talks, of childhood. and the Life Course framework highlight boys of color in low-income communities to is designed to help address the needs of low-income children and works to this strategy as an intergenerational (two close the 30-million word gap between them close the word and learning gap, making generation) approach. By addressing and their peers. profound improvements in the healthy brain the living environment and families, city development and life trajectories of children leaders will be able to positively impact 1.1.1 Home Visitation and Parent Education who participate. boys of color’s chance of entering school Impact: Capacity Needed: healthy and ready to learn, as well as future Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding generations. Providence Talks, now a key initiative of and City Resources Mayor Jorge Elorza, has reached over 1,300 children, and is on track to enroll 2,500 Expand the scope and reach of parent education or home visitation programs. children by December 2017. More than 7,000 recordings have been completed, capturing MBK Report, PG 5 (Longmont, CO) FORMER MAYOR IVY TAYLOR SAN ANTONIO, TX

46 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 47 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

1.2.1 Implicit Bias/Cultural hearing and developmental screenings for 1.3.1 Mayor’s Children’s Cabinet City Spotlight: Competency Training young children. Impact: South San Francisco, California Impact: Capacity Needed: Capacity Needed: The funding helps partners build capacity Leadership Action: Convening Stakeholders In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the city Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding for entities already screening children and of South San Francisco (population under and City Resources train child care center staff and teachers Establish a children’s cabinet focused on 75,000) recognized the growing shortage to implement the selected screenings with supporting school systems with funding of high-quality affordable child care options Provide training for community-focused staff accuracy and consistency. It is also used and advocacy. (Rochester, NY and locally as development increased. Former within the city and schools on implicit bias to train early care and education staff Minneapolis, MN) City Councilman Gene Mullin led the city and cultural competency. (Hartford, CT) to engage in effective communication council to pass Chapter 20.310 in the South 1.3.2 Health Disparities Data with families. The training includes “Tips San Francisco Municipal Code in 2001. Impact: 1.2.2 Libraries/City Agencies Support for Talking with Families,” with sample This act sought to address the problem by Capacity Needed: of Informal and Family, Friend and scripts and suggestions on what makes for collecting impact fees from commercial and Leadership Action: Convening Stakeholders Neighbor Care successful reciprocal conversations, such as residential developers to fund the expansion Impact: starting with the child’s strengths, offering Identify and analyze social, economic, and of child care facilities in the city’s major Capacity Needed: information on developmental milestones, environmental factors that impact health employment areas. The city required that discussing why developmental screening is Leadership Action: Advocating from (e.g., access to healthy food, graduation the funds be utilized only for capital costs the Bully Pulpit important and having an open format that rates, unemployment rates, etc.) based on to establish new spaces for child care, not allows for ongoing questions and support race, ethnicity, gender and geography to toward operational costs such as paying for Encourage/leverage libraries, museums when additional assessments or services develop strategies that improve outcomes. staff. The city’s legislation was supported and city agencies to support informal care are necessary. The city’s investment ensures (Oklahoma City, OK) by the State of California’s impact fees providers and boys of color. (Denver, CO) that 1,000 more three-year-olds receive the enabling legislation passed in 1987, which services they need to support their learning, 1.3.3 Housing Authority Family 1.2.3 Early Health and provides the parameters for broadly levying growth and development. Reunification Pilot Developmental Screenings development impact fees locally. To date, Impact: Impact: the city has collected $2.5 million in fees, Capacity Needed: Capacity Needed: which have helped finance the construction Leadership Action: Convening Stakeholders Leadership Action: Convening Stakeholders 1.3 RECOMMENDATION: and expansion of two buildings and a INSTITUTIONALIZE EARLY DEVELOPMENT playground. Ultimately, the city has helped to Collaborate with the local housing authority Collaborate with schools and health STRATEGIES WITHIN CITY STRUCTURE increase child care options by approximately to develop a pilot initiative to reunify providers to promote Early Health and RESOURCES 15 percent. returning citizens with their families. Developmental Screenings. (Houston, TX) (New York, NY; Oakland, CA; Chicago, IL) Seeing beyond education and individual Also, the South San Francisco and San parent responsibilities is important to 1.3.4 Early Learning and Mateo County partnership has helped draw addressing the environmental challenges Land-Use Decisions attention to the shortage of high-quality City Spotlight: that young boys of color face. From Impact: affordable child care through a recent report Rochester, New York targeting land-use strategies to lifting the Capacity Needed: entitled “San Mateo County Child Care and voices of boys of color, there are internal Preschool Facilities Task Force.” Read the The city of Rochester, New York, under Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing actions that cities can take to address the city’s 2014-15 nexus study, which explains Mayor Lovely Warren’s leadership, joined Policies, Practices and Procedures environments in which they live that impact how new development continually creates with three other funders to start a joint their ability to enter school healthy and Incorporate early learning opportunities for the need for new child care facilities and how developmental screening initiative. The ready to learn. low-income communities of color into land- the collected fees will be utilized to pay new investment of $789,000 helped launch a use and economic development planning. development’s fair share for new facilities. three-year pilot program to increase vision, (Santa Monica, CA)

48 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 49 The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape

MILESTONE 2: 2.1 RECOMMENDATION: and implemented programs focused on Provide “all-access” cards to boys of color COLLABORATE WITH SCHOOLS improving parent engagement and reducing and their families to gain free admission to READING AT GRADE AND COMMUNITY TO REDUCE chronic absenteeism. Due to the Education museums, zoos and other anchor learning LEVEL BY THIRD GRADE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IN EARLY Initiative and other broader community institutions in the city. (Denver, CO) ELEMENTARY GRADES collaboration efforts, chronic absenteeism rates in the City of Oakland decreased by 2.2.3 Computer and Tablet Access Chronic absenteeism can impact the ability 25 percent between 2005-06 and 2013-14. Impact: Research consistently shows that reading of boys of color to read at grade level by Learn about Oakland’s work through the Capacity Needed: at grade level by third grade is a strong third grade. The decrease in classroom Campaign for Grade Level Reading. Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding predictor for a child’s success later in life. learning time can cause them to fall behind, and City Resources While 46 percent of whites scored at or which is often exacerbated by the fact that above proficient in 2015, only 18 percent of many also do not enter school healthy and Provide low-cost computers or tablets black students, 21 percent of Hispanic and ready to learn. This further accelerates the 2.2 RECOMMENDATION: to low-income communities of color. American Indian/Alaska Native students, drift toward a negative outcome. City leaders CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR (Mooresville, NC) and 28 percent of Native Hawaiian/other should work across systems to understand HIGH-QUALITY ENRICHMENT DURING Pacific Islander scored comparably. The lack and reduce the environmental factors that OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME YEAR-ROUND 2.2.4 Gap Analysis for After School of reading proficiency can cripple a boy can result in absenteeism. FOR FORMAL AND INFORMAL CARE and Summertime of color’s ability to progress with others Impact: in the class and potentially puts him on a 2.1.1 Data Sharing Agreement On average in the U.S., students spend less Capacity Needed: path toward failing to complete school and Impact: than seven hours in school and in most Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding becoming involved with the justice system. Capacity Needed: cases only 180 days. Therefore, student and City Resources City leaders’ role in achieving this milestone Leadership Action: Convening Stakeholders success is also connected to learning that is to develop strategies that allow boys of occurs outside of the classroom. City leaders Identify and fill gaps in access to after- color to extend their learning beyond the Develop data agreements between health have a critical role to play in coordinating school and summertime programs. classroom and to assist with keeping them in and social service agencies and schools to stakeholders, leveraging city resources, and (Grand Rapids, MI, and Boise, ID) the classroom. track factors that contribute to absenteeism. sharing data to support boys and men of color across systems.

2.2.1 Summer Learning and Child Nutrition NLC Resource Spotlight: City Spotlight: Oakland, California Impact: Voices from the field: After school Capacity Needed: The City of Oakland Housing Authority in small cities Leadership Action: Convening Stakeholders “At the community level, (OHA) launched the Education Initiative, NLC has developed a resource to highlight we need find solutions which has built key partnerships with the Combine summer learning and child nutrition the work of small cities across the country Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), the that help ensure efforts. (NLC Spotlight: CHAMPS) that are creating partnerships between City of Oakland Mayor’s Office, community- that our young men neighboring cities, community-based based organizations and other service of color have an equal 2.2.2 Promote Access to Opportunities for organizations and school districts to enrich providers. Within the initiative, OHA and chance to succeed.” Expanded Learning youths’ time outside of the classroom. The OUSD adopted a Data Sharing MOU in Impact: highlighted examples for small MBK cities 2010, which they renewed and expanded in MAYOR LEON ROCKINGHAM Capacity Needed: can be replicated to leverage local resources NORTH CHICAGO, IL 2016, to provide a platform to improve the Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding to improve after-school and summer educational outcomes of OHA students. and City Resources opportunities for boys and young men Together, they identified more than 5,700 of color. overlapping students, and developed

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2.2.5 Data Sharing Structures Former Mayor Karl Dean strongly believed MILESTONE 3: Among young men of color in 2014, the Impact: in the need to provide young people with dropout rate for Hispanics (11.8 percent) Capacity Needed: safe, productive experiences after school GRADUATING FROM HIGH and blacks (7.1 percent) remained Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing to keep them out of trouble and on track SCHOOL READY FOR disproportionately higher than for white Policies, Practices and Procedures to graduation. He committed $400,000 males (5.7 percent). Additionally, the rates COLLEGE AND CAREER from the city budget to launch NAZA in of absenteeism spike significantly during

Develop structures and strategies to share 2010 in one “zone,” serving 250 middle high school, with blacks, Hispanics, American

data across in-school and out-of-school school students—with funding increases Indians (highest rate of absenteeism), and In the life span of a young man of color, systems to support learning. each year to launch an additional zone Pacific Islanders all having higher rates than graduating from high school is critical for annually. Due to his mayoral leadership and whites. Among the steps cities can take to increasing his probability of success. While support, NAZA expanded to five geographic address these issues are understanding the City Spotlight: Nashville, Tennessee the graduation rate for whites is 87.2 percent, zones with 44 sites providing extended problems that students face and leveraging the graduation rates for American Indians/ learning opportunities to 5,000 students current data on police involvement in In 2010, former Mayor Karl Dean launched Alaska Natives, blacks and Hispanics, are on from 25 MNPS middle schools in its first schools. the Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA) in average 14.4 percent lower. Today, lacking partnership with the Metropolitan Nashville five years. Mayor Megan Berry, elected in a high school diploma drastically limits a Public Schools (MNPS) and community 2015, continues to demonstrate mayoral person’s chance of success. Researchers 3.1.1 Data Sharing Agreements partners. NAZA is an intermediary commitment by raising the NAZA budget have found that black males who leave and Policy Reform organization that built a system of high- to $2.85 million to serve 1,510 students school without graduating have a 68 percent Impact: quality after-school programs across the after school and 440 in the summer. NAZA chance of imprisonment, while similar white Capacity Needed: city. They provide academic support and replicated the Providence, Rhode Island, males have only a 28 percent chance. Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing enrichment opportunities for MNPS middle AfterZone model (Providence After School Policies, Practices and Procedures school students that are safe and accessible Alliance) and now has also become a model Additionally, among 16- to 24-year-old for other cities around the country to follow. in schools and community centers. NAZA males, 11 percent of whites are not in school Develop data sharing agreements between Read more about NAZA, their casestudy, was created to help middle school students or working, compared with 15 percent the city police department and local school and see their video on NAZA’s data who are at risk of dropping out of school of Hispanics, 25 percent of blacks, and district, and advocate for crafting school partnership. by nurturing a passion for learning and 28 percent of Native-Americans. Young discipline and police involvement policies

preparing them for the rigors of high school. men of color have the highest rate of that reduce school-based arrests and

This is important because middle school disengagement. City leaders should play a limit negative contact between police and

performance is an indicator of high school major role in providing pathways for young students. (Philadelphia, PA) success. men of color to complete high school and be prepared for college and future careers. To maximize impact and outcomes of the after-school programs, NAZA established a The overall long-term impact of not City Spotlight: Hartford, Connecticut data sharing agreement with MNPS. NAZA graduating or not being engaged As part of its Disproportionate Minority worked to co-develop a data dashboard to perpetuates a vicious cycle of increased risks Contact project, the city of Hartford Public enable NAZA staff to have role-based access of poverty and imprisonment. (i.e., secure and only the data they need) to Schools and the police department reviewed student information to measure progress their current data and determined that on student attendance, behavior and 3.1 RECOMMENDATION: most of the youth of color were arrested for coursework. NAZA’s data system model and INCREASE ATTENDANCE, REDUCE low-level offenses. In 2012, they established data sharing agreement help staff provide DROPOUT RATES AND ENCOURAGE THE an MOU to share data between systems, tailored resources to support students’ USE OF FAIR DISCIPLINE PRACTICES provide training for police officers and clarify classroom experience. roles when interacting with students. VICE MAYOR WES BELLAMY, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

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Their efforts resulted in a dramatic decrease Early identification and intervention can $3 million from a local foundation to fund school districts, one county and two higher in the number of school-based arrests the promote a young man of color’s successful the development of the third center, Lincoln education institutions. The alliance was following year. Former Mayor Pedro Segarra graduation and future opportunity. Community Learning Center. Further, the city developed to provide youth (10-19) with said the memorandum between the schools Therefore, cities must maximize and use leveraged Community Development Block after-school and summer opportunities that and police “will go a long way to ensure their resources and platforms to work across Grant funds to support the development of will increase graduation rates, pathways to that our kids are held to a certain level of systems to target young men who are at the CLCs. college and career, and decrease violence accountability [without] criminalizing the high risk. Whether launching a community experiences. In 2015, the Joint Powers conduct as the first option, because the school in a targeted neighborhood, building Agreement was revised, creating a renewed consequences are far too great.” Hartford’s a city coalition of partners, developing 3.3 RECOMMENDATION: commitment to the alliance. success led the state to pass a bill that re-engagement centers, or launching high RECOMMENDATION: EXPAND AFTER- expanded the model statewide. school graduation goals, city leaders can SCHOOL ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY Over the years, the alliance incubated several employ strategies to reach this milestone. TO IMPROVE COLLEGE AND CAREER programs and initiatives which incorporated READINESS strategic partnerships to evaluate their NLC Resource Spotlight: 3.2.1 Wraparound Services and outcomes. One promising strategy for Alternatives to Arrest Community Schools 3.3.1 After-school Alignment evaluation is the Youth to Youth Survey Impact: Impact: (administered every two years), which Through NLC’s ongoing partnership with Capacity Needed: Capacity Needed: leverages the Youth Data Squad that recruits the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding other youth to take the survey. The results Foundation’s Models for Change initiative, and City Resources and City Resources have been influential in improving access to several resources were developed to allow programming and opportunities for students cities to create alternatives to juvenile Bring wraparound services into middle/high Align after-school programming with during out-of-school time. Further, the incarceration. The “Alternatives to Arrest schools or nearby locations. (Baltimore, MD) postsecondary education, private-sector alliance developed the Impact Scorecard to for Young People” issue brief was designed and economic development goals. hold itself accountable to achieving preset to provide early examples of how law (Portland, OR (Local)/(Statewide); Orlando, regional goals. enforcement agencies can divert youth City Spotlight: Salt Lake City, Utah FL; Los Angeles, CA) accused of minor offenses from arrest when appropriate. Additionally, several There are currently three Community 3.3.2 After-school Coalition Building Impact: training opportunities are offered to improve Learning Centers (CLC) in Salt Lake City. Capacity Needed: relations between police officers and The CLC model provides a common space Leadership Action: Convening Stakeholders young people. to co-locate academics, social services and life-skill enrichment for the entire family. Build an after-school coalition focused on Rosa Parks Elementary, the school district’s the needs of boys and men of color. 3.2 RECOMMENDATION: first CLC, houses a 3,800-square-foot

HELP SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES building that includes a health clinic, parent/

RECOGNIZE EARLY WARNING SIGNS family center, conference rooms, an early AND TAKE ACTION childhood learning center and a full-time City Spotlight: mental health worker. In 2013, Salt Lake City Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, Identifying and addressing the holistic needs finished construction on the $4.6 million, Minnesota of young men of color early is an important 30,000-square-foot Glendale/Mountain In 2008, Minnesota’s Brooklyn Bridge strategy in reducing racial and gender View CLC. The school district paid about Alliance for Youth was created through a MAYOR JEFFREY LUNDE, BROOKLYN PARK, MN disparities. During adolescence, boys of 85 percent of the cost, while the other 15 Joint Powers Agreement between the city color may be confronted with a variety of percent came from a variety of donors. In of Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center (both environmental challenges that could impact 2015, Salt Lake City School District secured their ability to continue school and graduate. cities with populations under 80,000), four

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the Re-engagement Network to assist cities The former mayor used his bully pulpit in exploring and pursuing re-engagement to create urgency for addressing the policy and programming directed at young low high school graduation rates locally. adults who have not finished school and Mayor Nutter’s commitment helped align lack a clear pathway to do so. These efforts stakeholders around a common vision and include the establishment of one-stop re- foster and expand successful initiatives and engagement centers or virtual equivalents programs. City staff and stable funding have that offer a range of services, including been the backbone of multiple parts of this referrals to school completion options and strategy. Recently, current Mayor Jim Kenney support to re-enroll. has launched a community school initiative funded through a soda tax to help support each school’s service development which 3.4.2 Citywide High School will help to improve educational outcomes Graduation Goal for schools in need. Impact: Capacity Needed: Leadership Action: Advocating from the Bully Pulpit

Set a community-wide goal for high school graduation.

MAYOR RICHARD BERRY, ALBUQUERQUE, NM City Spotlight: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 3.4 RECOMMENDATION: 3.4.1 Re-engagement Centers RECOMMENDATION: RECONNECT Impact: TIn 2008, then-Philadelphia Mayor Michael DISCONNECTED YOUTH TO INCREASE Capacity Needed: Nutter set a citywide goal of raising high THEIR OPPORTUNITIES LONG TERM Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding school graduation rates from the 53 percent THROUGH RE-ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS and City Resources rate in 2007 to 80 percent by 2015. As of 2015, the on-time graduation rate increased When a young man of color has not Establish re-engagement Centers for to 65 percent. To help build momentum, completed school or entered the workforce, disconnected youth. (Dubuque, IA) Mayor Nutter established the Philadelphia his city suffers the costs through lost tax Council for College and Career Success, revenue and potential increase in social/ which “works to ensure that Philadelphia’s criminal service costs. As boys of color have NLC Resource Spotlight: youth become productive citizens who are the highest rates of disengagement across Re-engagement Network ready to participate fully in our region’s most cities, it is imperative for cities to find workforce and the life of the city.” ways to take action. Through NLC’s work Many cities have a significant number of The cross-disciplinary council is focused around re-engaging those who have been disconnected youth, and these tend to be on aligning various government, nonprofit, disconnected, cities can leverage the tools young men of color. In response, a growing and for-profit entities around the collective and resources to support and strengthen number of cities have put specific strategies improvement of high school graduation rates local efforts. in place to target these youth. NLC launched and postsecondary opportunities. MAYOR LEON ROCKINGHAM, NORTH CHICAGO, IL

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MILESTONE 4: 4.1 RECOMMENDATION: financial aid application process. It offers 4.2.2 Youth Council/Community ENCOURAGE FAFSA COMPLETION free workshops to assist with completing Advisory Group COMPLETING POST- financial aid applications, and provides Impact: SECONDARY EDUCATION Access to financial aid is critical to ensure opportunities for high school seniors to win Capacity Needed: that a significant number of young men of additional scholarships based on attendance Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding OR CREDENTIALING color can afford to attend and complete a at the convention and workshops. The and City Resources

postsecondary education. FAFSA serves city continues to financially support the as a gateway to access major financial aid organization and utilizes the office of the Activate a local youth council or community After obtaining a high school diploma or options. Unfortunately, young men of color mayor to bring together multiple stakeholders advisory group to provide insights on an equivalent, attaining a postsecondary who come from low-income communities may across the region. Due to the city’s support increasing postsecondary education education or credentials is a pathway for not understand how, or have the appropriate and leadership, more than 238,000 students completion. (Portland, OR) future success. Such achievements provide resources or assistance to, complete the have qualified for more than $34 million in opportunities to access quality jobs that can application. The impact for cities is that fewer grant aid for college. Current Mayor Eric 4.2.3 Citywide Postsecondary increase household income and allow young people in local communities are college Garcetti launched Los Angeles College Graduation Goal men of color to better support their families. educated. This situation can directly impact Promise in 2016, further demonstrating the Impact: Unfortunately, whether looking at graduation a community’s regional, national and global city’s commitment to improving college Capacity Needed: rates for four-year public institutions, competitiveness. Therefore, city leaders access and completion within the city. Leadership Action: Advocating from community colleges or credentialing programs, should support young men of color’s FAFSA the Bully Pulpit completion rates for men of color remain low completion by leveraging existing resources across the board. The impact on cities can Set a community-wide goal for college and platforms to help them understand be detrimental to their future competitive completion. the process. 4.2 RECOMMENDATION: advantage, especially as the racial and ethnic ENCOURAGE POSTSECONDARY demographics of many communities are ENROLLMENT AND/OR CREDENTIALING evolving toward communities of color, and the 4.1.1 FAFSA Campaign City Spotlight: Louisville, Kentucky COMPLETION demand for highly skilled workers continues to Impact: In 2010, the City of Louisville launched 55,000 increase across the nation. Capacity Needed: Beyond funding access to postsecondary Degrees, an initiative focused on increasing Leadership Action: Advocating from education, there is the need to increase the Within this milestone, city leaders should the number of residents with a postsecondary the Bully Pulpit number of young men of color who finish see their role as leveraging their convening degree to 55,000 by 2020. This mark would these programs. City leaders should leverage give the city a local degree attainment rate andadvocacy platforms, as well as resources, Launch an annual FASFA campaign. to elevate the number of young men of color local assets and their platforms to provide of 50 percent. A study found the city ranked who complete their postsecondary education resources and foster citywide support to near the bottom among 14 other competitive or credentialing locally. encourage more young men of color to cities in educational attainment and college City Spotlight: complete postsecondary or credentialing enrollment. It ranked last among the cities Los Angeles, California programs. in bachelor’s degree attainment, with just 13 percent of blacks earning that degree. With “I signed on to this challenge Former City of Los Angeles Mayor James Mayor Greg Fischer’s leadership, the city because we are a community Hahn partnered with the Los Angeles Area 4.2.1 College Access Centers has recruited a diverse set of stakeholders that cares about all of our Chamber of Commerce and UNITE-LA Impact: who are working citywide to promote higher in 2002 to launch Los Angeles Cash for youth and that recognizes Capacity Needed: education. Within the 55,000 Degrees goal, College—a financial awareness campaign that Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding the community has committed to support that their future is our future.” has grown into a regional organization. The and City Resources black student degree access and completion organization hosts an annual College and MAYOR ROY D. BUOL by setting a goal of achieving 15,000 degrees Career Convention, designed to help students Establish college access centers. (Mesa, AZ, DUBUQUE, IA in the black community by 2020. The impact and their families prepare for college and the San Antonio, TX; CLIP) of this initiative has promise.

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MILESTONE 5: Researchers have estimated that by 2018 5.1 RECOMMENDATION: long-term success of boys and men of more than 60 percent of jobs will require HELP GROW AND IMPROVE SUMMER color to provide internships, job shadowing SUCCESSFULLY workers with more than a high school JOBS AND MENTORSHIP INITIATIVES opportunities and apprenticeship programs. CONNECTING TO diploma, including certificates and advanced (Boston, MA; Cincinnati, OH) For many cities across the country, summer THE ECONOMY degrees. Among Hispanics and blacks, only 22.7 percent and 32.4 percent respectively, employment and mentorship programs have have an associate’s degree or higher, in had a significant impact on low-income City Spotlight: contrast to 46.9 percent of whites. In communities, which can lead to greater Birmingham, Alabama For cities leaders, the goal is not simply that addition, the employment-to-population opportunities for boys and men of color.

men of color can enter the workforce, but rate of 16- to 24-year-olds who do not Through leveraging their platform and Since 1994, the City of Birmingham Mayor’s ensuring they can also connect to broader attend school is 71.7 percent for whites, 68.7 resources, cities can reduce crime, increase Office Division of Youth Services (DYS) has economic opportunities. This distinction percent for Hispanics, and 46.9 percent opportunities for continual education partnered with the local FOX affiliate, WBRC, is important, as there are several factors for blacks. To meet the future demand and beyond the school walls and help youth to operate the FOX6 Kids & Jobs Program. outside of attaining a job that can directly address the disparities, city leaders should acquire valuable job skills. The experience This program, which is the city’s largest impact men of color, from local land-use focus on economic development and land- can further prepare young men of color and youth employment initiative, hosts more policies to capacity-building supports to use planning for communities of color, as their respective cities to compete in the than 600 youths ages 14-21 at more than entrepreneurship opportunities. Focusing on well as on increasing access to training global market. 80 work sites. The Kids & Jobs Program is the broader economy is important because and entrepreneurial capacity-building designed to help cultivate the professional men of color who live in concentrated opportunities that better equip young men 5.1.1 CDBG Dollars development necessary for youth and poverty may have limited access to better Impact: of color and their communities to succeed. young adults to become an integral part of employment opportunities, and limited Capacity Needed: the workforce. DYS leveraged partnerships economic development and city planning Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding with numerous agencies in the public and policies can exacerbate community and City Resources nonprofit sectors to give hundreds of youths disinvestment. Create and expand summer jobs in exposure to the workforce for the first time. communities of color through CDBG funding. Each spring, Birmingham youth are invited (Omaha, NE). to apply for age-appropriate employment opportunities through the Kids & Jobs 5.1.2 Mentoring City Policies Program. Impact: Capacity Needed: The leadership of former Mayor William Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing Bell and his staff has elevated the program Policies, Practices and Procedures to national recognition by the Obama Administration as a promising model for Pass policies to incentivize city staff to replication. Mayor Bell stated, “Kids & Jobs mentor through targeted mentorship Program: that is something that I know programs. (Louisville, KY) that the president and his administration

are looking at to see how we can duplicate 5.1.3 Private Sector Recruitment that across the country. This program gives Impact: the private sector an opportunity to work Capacity Needed: with us on getting young people employed Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding during the summer and instilling in them and City Resources that work ethic that we all have and we want them to have as well.” MAYOR KAREN FREEMAN-WILSON, GARY, IN Recruit private companies to invest in the

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5.2 RECOMMENDATION: City Spotlight: Portland, Oregon transportation, waste sites or power plants, Collaborate with local governments and INCREASE ENTRY-LEVEL JOB, most of these decisions have negatively regional stakeholders to leverage combined ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND The City of Portland started the Inclusive affected communities of color. City leaders resources to change the regional community. APPRENTICESHIP (CAREER/TECHNICAL) Startup Fund with a $500,000 commitment have the power to acknowledge, right (24.1 Missouri) OPTIONS from Prosper Portland (formerly Portland previous wrongs, and prevent actions that Development Commission) to build the damage thriving communities. 5.3.5 Municipal Staff Diversity Not all boys and men of color participate economic capacity of communities of color. Impact: in summer employment opportunities. Multnomah County and the State of Oregon 5.3.1 Economic Development Capacity Needed: This can create challenges for them as also committed $500,000 and $250,000 Impact: Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing they vie with others who do have work respectively to the fund, which invests Capacity Needed: Policies, Practices and Procedures experience. Regardless of access to summer between $20,000 and $50,000 in startups Leadership Action: Advocating from employment opportunities, there should be with founders from underrepresented the Bully Pulpit Develop and execute a strategic plan to multiple options for boys and men of color communities. Mentoring and business ensure the city government reflects the Acknowledge and change past economic to successfully enter the economy through advising services accompany each community served. (St. Paul, MN) development wrongdoings that shattered traditional apprenticeships, entrepreneurial investment. incubators and other modes. Cities leaders communities by creating racial equity 5.3.6 Land Use and Zoning can repurpose programs and funding to help In 2013, Prosper Portland launched the goals. (New Orleans, LA; St. Paul, MN; Impact: develop a pipeline for boys and men of color Startup PDX Challenge, focused on assisting Portland, OR) Capacity Needed: to successfully enter the economy through entrepreneurs from communities of color. Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing 5.3.2 Predatory Lending various pathways. Each winner received financial resources Policies, Practices and Procedures Impact: as well as free rent, free legal counsel and Capacity Needed: 5.2.1 Apprenticeship Options other wraparound services that increase the Change land-use policies and zoning Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing Impact: entrepreneur’s chances of success. As part regulations within redevelopment agencies Policies, Practices and Procedures Capacity Needed: of the evolution of its equity work, Prosper that negatively impact communities of color. Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding Portland has recently developed a network Pass ordinances that limit predatory lending. and City Resources of programs and partnerships to better serve (Texas Municipal League) minority and women entrepreneurs, known Create channels to raise private funds for as the Small Business Technical Assistance apprenticeship. (Oakland, CA) 5.3.3 First-source Hiring Partnership. Impact: 5.2.2 Entrepreneurship Development Capacity Needed:

Impact: Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing 5.3 RECOMMENDATION: Capacity Needed: ACKNOWLEDGE AND CHANGE LAND- Policies, Practices and Procedures Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding USE AND OTHER POLICIES THAT LIMIT and City Resources Pass first-source hiring policies that target ACCESS TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES low-income areas of the city. (Sugar Law Build pipelines for entrepreneurship. In communities across the country, Center, PolicyLink) city leaders’ land-use and economic 5.3.4 Municipal Regional Collaboration development decisions have strengthened Impact: or damaged neighborhoods. These actions Capacity Needed: directly impact boys and men of color and Leadership Action: Convening Stakeholders their communities’ ability to successfully connect to the economy. Whether they

involve train tracks, highways, public MAYOR BUDDY DYER & COMMISSIONER REGINA HILL, ORLANDO, FL

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City Spotlight: Brownsville, Texas Payments (LIFT-UP). The program helps employment) in order to produce a more City Spotlight: Orlando, Florida cities align local financial empowerment competitive population. Cities can build the In 2003, City Commissioner Rose Gowen, services with municipal utility debt-collection capacity of communities-of-color businesses In November 2005, the city council who is also a physician, discovered practices by offering residents who are in and modify city contracts to reflect the approved the Enterprise Zone Re- significant health issues plaguing a high- debt to city-owned utilities an opportunity demographic changes. designation—Resolution and Interlocal poverty community of Brownsville, Texas. to restructure their outstanding balances. Agreement between City of Orlando and Based on her findings, the commissioner Residents also receive financial counseling 5.4.1 Capacity Building Orange County. This agreement provided and community began to survey options for and services to help get them back on track. Impact: the opportunity to start a training and improving the health and wellbeing of the To date, NLC has worked with five cities– Capacity Needed: employment effort focused on the city’s community. The commissioner identified an Savannah, Georgia; St. Petersburg, Florida; Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding Parramore neighborhood—a majority black, opportunity to develop the mile-long Louisville, Kentucky; Newark, New Jersey; and City Resources low-income and high-crime area. In 2008, Belden Trail—an abandoned rail line. The and Houston, Texas—to implement the pilot Mayor Buddy Dyer and the city council Provide capacity-building opportunities 100-year-old rail line ran through the poorest program and test variations of the program created the BLUEPRINT. The BLUEPRINT for communities of color to compete for neighborhoods while connecting to schools model. The Center for Financial Security is a comprehensive approach to leveraging city resources and future community and other city amenities. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison the city’s $1.5 billion worth of Community development. (Minneapolis, MN; (CFS) conducted an evaluation of LIFT-UP, Venues projects to create local jobs and Due to Commissioner Gowen’s leadership, Durham, NC) which shows that participating cities were local business growth. The BLUEPRINT the city was able to leverage the Brownsville better able to collect overdue water utility Program Office helps improve employment Community Improvement Corporation 5.4.2 Cross-sector Regional Collaboration payments with less reliance on costly debt Impact: opportunities for the target population (BCIC), which covered 20 percent of the collection agencies or resorting to shutting Capacity Needed: (residents in the Parramore Zone, returning cost, and a Rails-to-Trails grant, which off service to customers Leadership Action: Convening Stakeholders citizens as well as homeless persons) by represents 80 percent of the funding, from requiring major redevelopment contractors the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Convene business, industries, education of these venues in Orlando’s downtown to (TPWD) to fund the trail’s renovation. The sectors and community-development groups hire or provide them with apprenticeship 5.4 RECOMMENDATION: results have provided residents space to to design and implement regional economic opportunities. What’s more, these companies BUILD THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITIES exercise, commute and better connect strategies that can improve access to offer prime and sub-contracts to minority OF COLOR TO BE ECONOMICALLY with their community. The trail has led to a entrepreneurial workforce opportunities for and women-owned businesses. The COMPETITIVE 20 percent increase in the number of city boys and men of color. (Harrisburg, PA) BLUEPRINT staff monitors the developers residents who are within a half-mile of a There is an economic advantage to and contractors for compliance with said bike trail. In addition to the development of 5.4.3 Enforce City Women and Minority increasing young men of color’s viability requirements. There are significant sanctions Belden Trail, the city adopted a long-range Business Enterprise (WMBE) and competitiveness in the local economy. and financial penalties for non-compliance. plan called Imagine Brownsville, which is Contracting Goals Each city, whether small or large, must As a result, the BLUEPRINT Office over business-driven and has generated policies the past 10 years has placed 3,741 target position itself to attract, retain and foster Impact: that help to encourage healthy population members in jobs paying $12.42 local and global companies. Recognizing Capacity Needed: living and increased funding for downtown per hour on average—the majority of which that not all companies are good for the Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing redevelopment. include benefits. During the same period, the community, cities must be intentional Policies, Practices and Procedures about the “corporate citizens” they want BLUEPRINT program saw the awarding of to attract. Nationally, the racial and ethnic Create an office of municipal contracts $229,926,668 in contracts to minority and NLC Resource Spotlight: LIFT-UP demographics are changing. As cities see or assign an agency to help enforce women-owned businesses. communities of color grow locally, they must WMBE goals. In 2013, NLC’s Institute for Youth, Education, address the negative outcomes for success and Families launched Local Interventions indicators (i.e., poverty, education and for Financial Empowerment Through Utility

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MILESTONE 6: The impact of these disparities causes 6.1.2 Violence Prevention is to advocate for and implement policies, greater financial burdens on a city, as data Impact: practices and procedures that ensure equity REDUCING VIOLENCE suggest that taxpayers can pay more Capacity Needed: and opportunity for black fathers, brothers AND PROVIDING than $51,340 per person for each year of Leadership Action: Leveraging Funding and sons at home, work, school and in the incarceration. This tax can ultimately hurt a and City Resources community using collaborative efforts. A SECOND CHANCE city’s ability to finance other initiatives that Pursuing this mission, Fort Wayne UNITED

can further strengthen boys and men of Start and continue to implement recently began developing strategies to color and their community. comprehensive violence- and gang- address violence and the historical and prevention initiatives that focus explicitly on Young men of color are disproportionately systemic barriers that have impacted young reducing violence and violent deaths among affected by violence, and far too many are black men in their community. With the boys and men of color. (Ceasefire; New mayor’s commitment to improving outcomes involved with the criminal justice system as 6.1 RECOMMENDATION: Orleans, LA; Hampton, VA) for young black men, Fort Wayne UNITED adolescents and young adults. In 2014, more REDUCE VIOLENCE IN HIGH-RISK has taken critical steps to build a strong than 4,000 young black men across the COMMUNITIES BY INTEGRATING PUBLIC foundation of support and buy-in. United States were homicide victims, making HEALTH APPROACHES homicide the leading cause of death among Resource Spotlight: Cities United black men ages 15-34. Additionally, more Communities of color represent more than than 60 percent of the U.S. prison population 40 percent of the population arrested for Launched in 2011 through a collaboration of 6.2 RECOMMENDATION: is comprised of blacks and Hispanics, while violent crimes, despite representing only 20 several partners including NLC, Cities ENCOURAGE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND they make up only 30 percent of the total percent of the total population. Systemic United is a national movement focused NEIGHBORHOODS TO WORK HAND- U.S. population. For black and Hispanic actions are needed to improve outcomes on eliminating the violence in American IN-HAND men born in 2001, the likelihood of being for boys and men of color that go beyond cities related to black men and boys. The 91 Now more than ever, city leaders should play imprisoned at some point is 33 percent and reducing over-policing or mass-incarceration. mayors (and counting) participating in Cities an active role in fostering trust between the 16 percent respectively, while it is less than 6 Violence in communities of color has long United aim to reduce homicides in their cities police force and local communities. The level percent for white males. been viewed as a criminal justice issue, while by 50 percent by the year 2025. Moreover, in other communities it has been portrayed they are committed to restoring hope to of police interactions with boys and men as a public health issue. This double their communities and building pathways of color and their respective communities standard must be changed. City leaders to justice, employment, education and has led to mistrust and tension between the must use a different lens and address the increased opportunities for residents, using groups, making many cities vulnerable to underlying systems that perpetuate these a variety of resources that work beyond civic unrest. City leaders can build, rebuild, “I believe there are many environments to reduce the violence that violence. maintain or strengthen these relations challenges we can disproportionately impacts boys and men of to ensure that if and when an incident overcome. As we look color. occurs, the city and community can work collaboratively to find a solution. forward, it is evident 6.1.1 Municipal System Evaluation City Spotlight: Fort Wayne, Indiana that our partnership Impact: 6.2.1 Community Policing Strategies with MBK will remain a Capacity Needed: In 2013, the City of Fort Wayne became Impact: Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing critical component of a National League of Cities’ Black Male Capacity Needed: Policies, Practices and Procedures Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing our city’s future.” Achievement city and joined Cities United to address the violence and homicide rate Policies, Practices and Procedures Cities should enhance coordinated efforts

MAYOR JEFFREY LUNDE to prevent youth violence, with a focus on that disproportionally impacted young black Implement recommendations from BROOKLYN PARK MN analyzing incidences of violence and murder men. Through Mayor Tom Henry’s leadership “21st Century Policing Report.” across systems. (Milwaukee Homicide and the work of senior city staff, Fort Wayne Review Board) UNITED was launched in 2017. Its mission

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6.2.2 Community Conversation city, bringing more than 800 participants Update or remove curfew laws, which are percent were white. This disparity existed Impact: together to discuss police-community shown to be the most disproportionately even though there are roughly the same Capacity Needed: relations and racial healing. The city applied juvenile offenses. (NLC’s Cities number of white and black Milwaukeeans Leadership Action: Convening Stakeholders leadership was instrumental in helping to Speak: Article 1, Article 2) who use marijuana at roughly equal rates. move beyond conversations to developing The Municipal Marijuana Legislation (Code Launch sustained dialogues that are inclusive six key pillars to incorporate into the policy 6.3.2 Fines and fees policies 106-38), passed in 2015, lowered the of the entire community and bring police and daily functions of the police department. Impact: maximum fine for a first-time offense of and community members together to build Capacity Needed: possession of up to 25 grams of marijuana— • Pillar 1: Build Trust and Legitimacy trust before unrest occurs. Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing just under one ounce—from $500 to $50. • Pillar 2: Improve Policy and Oversight Policies, Practices and Procedures

• Pillar 3: Social Media/Communication Modify local laws to reduce arrest and jailing NLC/ US Conference of Mayors’ • Pillar 4: Community Policing and of people for failure to pay fines and fees. 6.4 RECOMMENDATION: Resource Spotlight: Crime Reduction (San Francisco, CA) DIVERT BMOC FROM THE JUVENILE AND Community Conversation Resource • Pillar 5: Enhance Training and Education CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY 6.3.3 Forfeiture Penalty for FOR STATUS AND MISDEMEANOR Pillar 6: Officer Wellness and Safety NLC, through Race, Equity And Leadership • Marijuana Possession OFFENSES (REAL), in collaboration with the U.S. Impact: Conference of Mayors (USCM) and President Capacity Needed: When police must interact with boys and Obama, persuaded more than 100 cities 6.3 RECOMMENDATION: Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing men of color for minor offenses, there are to agree to sustain conversations on race RECOMMENDATION: ELIMINATE Policies, Practices and Procedures several points in transition to booking that relations, justice and equity between the POLICIES THAT CAN INCREASE BMOC can keep them out of the justice system. Adopt ordinances that create a reasonable community and the police following the INTERACTION WITH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM City leaders have the responsibility to build, alternative civil penalty for the possession 2016 Dallas police shooting. More than 105 advocate and provide training for officers to In addition to engaging in community of marijuana. leverage diversion programs that can help cities conducted or committed to having conversations, city leaders can change support boys and men of color outside of community conversations. Additionally, policies that contribute to negative the justice system. The positive impact of USCM published a report on 49 cities that interactions between boys and men of implementing these recommendations can started their community conversations. NLC color and police officers. Whether changing City Spotlight: mean more boys and men of color become provides cities strategies to conduct these curfews, fines or fees, marijuana charges or Milwaukee, Wisconsin conversations which advance racial equity. other minor offenses, cities should leverage productive, taxpaying members of society. Under Wisconsin state law, possession of their legislative authority to minimize 6.4.1 Diversion Options Education negative interactions between police and any amount of marijuana is punishable by up Impact: young men of color, while finding strategies to six months in jail; a subsequent offense Capacity Needed: City Spotlight: Tacoma, Washington to increase positive interactions. It is is deemed a felony. The City of Milwaukee Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing important to note that these policy actions initially made marijuana possession a On the heels of a series national events that Policies, Practices and Procedures should be used in concert with proper municipal ordinance violation for minors created tension between the community and and first-time offenders in 1997—with fines training and modification of administrative Develop diversion programs to divert boys police in 2015, the City of Tacoma stepped ranging from $250 to $500 or imprisonment policies in police precincts. and men of color from entering the system. up and launched a citywide initiative called of up to 20 days. Project PEACE. With the leadership of 6.3.1 Curfew Laws Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Councilwoman Impact: In 2014 alone, of the 1,382 individuals Victoria Woodard, the city manager and the Capacity Needed: charged in Milwaukee’s Municipal Court for city police chief, five different community Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing possession of 25 grams of THC or less, more conversations were conducted across the Policies, Practices and Procedures than 65 percent were black, while only 16

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City Spotlight: 6.4.2 Diversion Options Education If a boy or man of color has been City Spotlight: Minneapolis, Minnesota Impact: incarcerated, the chances that he will Charlottesville, Virginia Capacity Needed: struggle to find viable employment and Eliminating racial disparities in Minneapolis Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing housing is high. Without equitable access to In March 2014, the city removed the was one of the first priorities established Policies, Practices and Procedures employment opportunities, the probability felony inquiry box from all municipal job by Mayor Betsy Hodges and the City of of recidivism is also high. The potential applications. Due to the Dillon’s Rule in Train city law enforcement officers on Minneapolis in 2014. Minneapolis has the impact of recidivism on cities is an increase Virginia, Charlottesville does not have the existing and new diversion programs which widest disparity between white people in government spending to adjudicate and authority to require local businesses to keep boys and men of color out of the house inmates, and the loss of tax revenue and people of color in the nation across “ban the box” on their job applications. judicial system, and on the benefits for from each person. Nationally, the average any measure such as education, housing, Instead they are using a different strategy public safety. (Models for Change) cost can be more than $50,000 a year employment, health and public safety. to engage local businesses: The mayor and The American Civil Liberties Union per person. Cities have a role to play in 6.4.3 Implicit Bias/Mental Health Training councilmembers in 2015 began sending (ACLU) studied misdemeanor offenses in removing as many barriers as possible that Impact: letters to local businesses asking them Minneapolis and found that significant racial can negatively impact formerly incarcerated Capacity Needed: to remove the felony inquiry on their disparities existed. In response to the study boys and men of color. Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing applications. Additionally, they have worked and other data points, Mayor Hodges joined Policies, Practices and Procedures 6.5.1 Re-entry Resources with local businesses to hire returning the cohort of Juvenile Justice Reform Cities Impact: citizens who have gone through the city-led to determine how to tackle the disparities Mandate training for 100 percent of city- Capacity Needed: Growing Opportunities program. locally. employed law enforcement and corrections Leadership Action: Advocating from officers on adolescent development, how to In Fiscal Year 2015-16, 14 returning citizens Due to previous work, the Minneapolis Police the Bully Pulpit recognize and address mental health crises worked in city departments. Of those, 10 Department in 2015 identified the need to and implicit bias. (Philadelphia, PA; San Advocate for services that address re- were hired permanently by the city after revise the eligibility criteria for its Juvenile Antonio, TX) entry issues and expunge criminal records, they completed the program, and three Diversion Program to include juveniles with reinstate licenses and reduce excessive fines. transitioned to other job opportunities in one prior misdemeanor. The policy revision 6.4.4 Pre-Arrest Screening Tool (Clean Slate Clearinghouse) the community. Of these, 79 percent did not had a positive impact on disparities at the Impact: re-offend within one year, which reinforces eligibility point, but did not influence the Capacity Needed: 6.5.2 Ban the Box/Fair Hiring the role of employment as a key predictor Impact: disparities at other points of the process, Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing of successful re-entry and reduction of Capacity Needed: such as juveniles accepting the offer of Policies, Practices and Procedures recidivism. diversion and completing the diversion Leadership Action: Adopting/Implementing program. The work to improve outcomes for Implement locally validated, standardized Policies, Practices and Procedures Over the past two years, an additional 36 the process continues. pre-arrest screening tools to assist law black men have successfully completed Cities should “ban the box “and put in place enforcement in making objective, public the Growing Opportunities program, fair-hiring practices at the municipal and Another diversion program originates in the safety-focused decisions and which promote which provides training and support for citywide level if possible. (NELP) city attorney’s office, where since 2014, adult accountability measures to track and unemployed and underemployed residents.

diversion offerings have expanded to include support the tool’s effective use by officers. All the men remain employed in positions 6.5.3 Re-entry Jobs tracks for shoplifting, interfering with a (MASTLE; Gainesville, FL) paying a living wage of more than $14 police officer, prostitution and some driving Impact: Capacity Needed: per hour. Jobs include commercial driver, offenses. Many of the programs offered are 6.5 RECOMMENDATION: Leadership Action: Advocating from electrician apprentice and building trades. centered in restorative justice philosophy. ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY BARRIERS the Bully Pulpit TO RE-ENTRY AND ENCOURAGE Leverage the bully pulpit to advocate for FAIR-CHANCE HIRING OPTIONS private-sector participation in re-entry job

opportunities.

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City Spotlight: offer a six-month, full-time position at living Milwaukee, Wisconsin wage with training and certifications, such as CDL classes and testing. Participants, who As co-chair of Milwaukee’s Black Male must be returning citizens, get assistance Achievement Advisory Council, Mayor with barrier reductions like driver’s license Tom Barrett has led development and recovery and child support mediation to implementation of the city’s My Brother’s keep them moving with dignity toward new Keeper Action Plan. Mayor Barrett has employment prospects. Over the program’s worked with local agencies to create first two years, 70 percent of transitional hundreds of transitional jobs in city job participants have attained unsubsidized departments through his Compete employment after the program, earning Milwaukee employment initiative. more than $1 million in documented Focused on second chances, these jobs gross wages.

“My dad always said, ‘It’s easier to find a job, from a job.’ Compete Milwaukee helps get Milwaukee residents started on a path to not only jobs, but a more secure future for their families.”

MAYOR TOM BARRETT MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

MAYOR TOM BARRETT AND ALDERMAN RUSSELL STAMPER, MILWAUKEE, WI

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