In The Spotlight

OPED – PUBLISHED JULY 28, 2023

The state of Black America and Black Cleveland is troubled: Gregory L. Brown and Marsha Mockabee

By Guest Columnist, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND — Two recently released reports benchmark and illustrate the effects of systemic inequities, racial hatred, and discriminatory policies and practices experienced by people of color in America, particularly African Americans.

The first is the National Urban League’s “State of Black America,” which is an analysis of the explosive growth of domestic extremism and systemic inequities in the areas of economics, employment, health, housing, criminal justice, and civic participation. The report details how domestic extremists in America are now advocating for the elimination of our civil liberties, infiltrating our military ranks, law enforcement and political systems.

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LATEST REPORT – RELEASED MAY 2023

The State of Black Cleveland

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”.

Read the Complete Report

Improving Policy and Encouraging Opportunity

SEPT 19 2022
Crisis brings out the best in Americans. World War II remains the most vivid example of civilian and military mobilization under threat. The Covid-19 pandemic is a recent example of mobilization to produce….  Read More

America is in Crisis and Racism is the Culprit!

BY GREG BROWN

From a practical perspective racism is expensive….  Read Complete Paper

After Months of Protests for Racial Equality: Where Are We Now?

BY TAYLOR BRUCK CLEVELAND

“You’ve heard people say, ‘I can’t breathe’ wasn’t just about someone with a knee on their neck. Many feel that there’s that’s a metaphor for many facets of life…” Randell McShepard said.

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Policy History

Did You Know?

US Senate Filibuster – A History of Civil Rights
Then and Now

Known to be one of the most controversial traditions in crafting American policy. The Filibuster, a word originating from the Dutch, that translates to “pirate”, is suitable in principle, because its purpose is to hijack a debate or a vote on legislation in the U.S. Senate.

HISTORY
Standing Tall? In the past Senators would stand before congress to filibuster a measure

In the early 1900s, filibusters by southern Senators were well-organized power plays, to stop any attempt to extend equal rights to African Americans. For decades, the House would pass bills to outlaw discrimination and protect African American’s voting rights. Only to watch those bills be stopped in the Senate by filibusters. During a time when white mobs lynched black people with impunity, filibusters were used to kill anti-lynching bills in 1922, 1935, 1938, 1948 and 1949. Read More…

Policy

Ohio Has New District Maps

Ohio is now using maps declared twice unconstitutional by Ohio Supreme Court due to gerrymandering. Redistricting (aka gerrymandering) Is the process of drawing new congressional and state legislative district boundaries.

Senate Bill 175,

Effective Date
April 6, 2021

The Ohio House passed a “stand your ground” measure on Thursday that would remove any “duty to retreat” before using force in self-defenses making Ohio the 36th state.

MISSION
PolicyBridge is a research and advocacy think and action tank that prompts and sustains high quality discourse about public policy issues affecting African-Americans and other underserved communities which enlightens fellow community members and catalyzes action.

Report

Urban Agenda – Nov 2021

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…  Read the Complete Report

Report

Access Denied – July 2021

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 internet. The federal government has committed billions through pandemic relief measures, and an infrastructure deal could bring billions more. The state of Ohio has allocated millions, including $250 million to … Read the Complete Report

Policy

Ohio loosens state’s gun laws 

Under current law, Ohioans must complete eight hours of training and pass a background check through their local sheriff for a 5-year, concealed carry license. With the passage of House Bill 227, it allows anyone 21 or older (not otherwise prohibited) to carry a concealed weapon without training and removes the duty under current law to “promptly” notify police during a traffic stop. They are only required if asked if they’re carrying a weapon. House Bill 99 drastically reduces training requirements to carry guns in schools.

According to the Gun Violence Archive In 2021 to date, 706 Ohioans have died and 1,561 have been injured by firearms.

Both bills pass the House and will be considered in the Senate.

Video

Missing in Action: The Future of Black Leadership in Cleveland

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.

Highlighted Report – DOWNLOAD Complete Report

Policy

What’s In H.R.1

This bill addresses voter access, election integrity and security, campaign finance, and ethics for the three branches of government.

Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls.

READ MORE…

Trending

Did you know?

The Facts About Critical Race Theory (CRT)

Critical Race Theory (CRT) Currently has sparked a fire storm of debate and confusion regarding what it is, and what it means. There is also some confusion as to whether a connection exists with terms like “anti-racism” and “social justice”. Within the current debate is an ongoing attempt to define its purpose. Is Critical Race Theory meant to divide, READ MORE…

African American Representation

117th US Congress
100 US Senators – 3 African Americans
435 US House Members – 57 African Americans

State of Ohio
Ohio House of Rep 134th General Assembly
99 Members – 14 African Americans

Why African Americans are reluctant to trust Medical Institutions

The history of medicine in America

Throughout US history African Americans, have been subjected to abuse, exploitation, and experimentation by medical institutions. Most cited is the Tuskegee Syphilis Study where U.S. Public Health Service employees recruited hundreds of poor, African American men with syphilis, declining to treat them and watched them die avoidable deaths. In 1972 the discovery of the experiment made front-page news, and in 1997 President Bill Clinton gave a public apology on behalf of the United States.

However, the story begins in 1619, where slaves were subjected to practice surgeries and c-sections without pain medicine. In the 1930s the US Government mismanaged the Polio vaccine campaign where the entire black community was misled into believing they were immune from this fatal illness. And those who were diagnosed with polio, did not receive proper treatment. Black women were also sterilized without their knowledge and robbed of the opportunity to bear children. There is the story of Henrietta Lacks, her cancer cells were used for medical research without her or her family’s knowledge. Unfortunately, this is not just a narrative of history, studies show that today, as a nation, there are many disparities in healthcare outcomes for African Americans. Over, and over again, black people have been betrayed by the medical establishment, fostering a deep-rooted and logical mistrust.

Equity and Inclusion

Cultural Diversity, Inclusion and Equity

In our society today, an overarching context setting perspective is the impact of cultural diversity, inclusion and equity on policy issues affecting people in our society. Cultural diversity speaks to the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability of attribute, religious or ethical values systems, national origin and political belief. Cultural inclusion is involvement and empowerment where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized. An inclusive environment promotes and sustains a sense of belonging; it values and practices respect for the talents, beliefs, backgrounds and ways of living of all members of a society. There are many disparities that exist in our society today. A significant number of societal disparities provide advantages for some while significant barriers and challenges for others. Cultural equity is an effort to reduce societal disparities by leveling the field of opportunity, removing societal barriers and challenging and providing specific remedies that support the growth and development of the groups that have been negatively impacted.

Since its inception, PolicyBridge has monitored the growth in cultural diversity, inclusion and equity issues in the areas of public, community, organizational and institutional policy and maintained an interest to understand and improve these issues in our society. We have seen increased awareness in the public, independent and private sectors to become more proficient with regard to cultural diversity, inclusion and equity competence. Focusing on issues that affect African American and other underserved communities, PolicyBridge is working with a broad array of community, civic, public, independent and private sector stakeholders and institutions to increase and enhance their cultural competency in the areas of diversity, inclusion and equity.