PolicyBridge

The state of the Black community in Cleveland has been affected by many issues over recent years. Topics ranging from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, the digital divide, systemic disinvestment in communities of color and much more have all contributed to troubling outcomes that have stymied progress and perpetuated poverty, unemployment and trauma. For the sake of this report, the following five areas are being highlighted for further review and analysis: Health Disparities, Education, Economic Opportunity, Neighborhoods and Housing and Community Violence. Challenges associated with these five areas have resulted in the current State of Black Cleveland being defined as “Troubled” or “Marginalized”.

PolicyBridge, in partnership with Ohio Rep. Stephanie Howse, invited dozens of government officials, philanthropic leaders, representatives of service organizations, and community advocates to a working session with the goal of developing a framework for an urban agenda. The agenda was meant to be specific to Cleveland but applicable to other cities facing distress and disinvestment. The 40 participants offering a diverse range of viewpoints found consensus around six overarching areas for coordinated action: economic opportunity and mobility, neighborhoods and housing, community health and wellness, criminal and social justice, educational attainment and career launching, and community mobilization and stability. These broad categories encompass a variety of related issues and intersect in ways that shape the vitality of urban areas.

The events of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that access to the internet no longer can be thought of as a luxury or novelty; fast, reliable and affordable internet has become a necessity for engaging in everyday activities of modern life. Addressing the “digital divide,” the bland, alliterative euphemism for inequities that keep mostly poor rural and urban communities disconnected from the social and economic benefits of technological advancements, gained both urgency and advocates over the past year, with governments, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and businesses jumping in to provide funding and support for expanding access to broadband, or high-speed, internet.

Watch PolicyBridge co-founder and chairman, Randell McShepard, speak about the future of black leadership at The City Club of Cleveland. McShepard shares his vision for a new leadership model that elevates promising community, business, political, and civic leaders capable of re-engaging the black community and protecting it from future attempts to suppress its voice and influence. Link: https://lnkd.in/eQcwQtQi