1. Advancing Opportunity in the Mahoning Valley john a. powellDirector, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and EthnicityWilliams Chair in Civil Rights & Civil Liberties, Moritz College of Law Warren Ministerial Alliance August 14, 2009 1

2. Today’s Conversation 2 Opportunity matters – neighborhoods & access to opportunity Patterns of racial and economic segregation Recommendations for organizing around criminal justice reform & housing ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Appendix: Targeted universalism Coalition building Transformative leadership

3. Opportunity matters Place and life outcomes 3

4. Opportunity Matters: Space, Place, and Life Outcomes 4 “Opportunity” is a situation or condition that places individuals in a position to be more likely to succeed or excel. Opportunity structures are critical to opening pathways to success: High-quality education Healthy and safe environment Stable housing Sustainable employment Political empowerment Outlets for wealth-building Positive social networks

5. Place Has a Profound Impact on Health, Well-Being, and Child Development 5

7. Institutions can operate jointly to produce racialized outcomes.

9. Opportunity Matters: Neighborhoods & Access to Opportunity 8 High poverty areas with poor employment, underperforming schools, distressed housing, and public health/safety risks depress life outcomes A system of disadvantage People of color are far more likely to live in opportunity deprived neighborhoods & communities

10. What are the implications of opportunity isolation? 9

12. Living in “concentrated disadvantage” reduces student IQ by 4 points, roughly the equivalent to missing one year of school (Sampson 2007)

13. Societal cost

15. 12 Demand Connection Supply Layering of Information

16. Opportunity Mapping 13 The Kirwan Institute has performed opportunity mapping for a variety of areas, including: Massachusetts

17. Baltimore 14

18. 15 Detroit: African American men are isolated from neighborhoods of opportunity in Detroit

19. & closer to home.. Cuyahoga County 16 Subprime lending, race, and foreclosure

20. Opportunity in Ohio Darker shades are associated with higher levels of opportunity 17

21. Northeast Ohio Darker shades are associated with higher levels of opportunity 18

22. Patterns of Racial and Economic Segregation City of Warren Mahoning Valley area 19

23. Population Decline 20 http://www.regionalchamber.com/EconomicDevelopment/FactsFigures/PopulationAndTrends.aspx

24. City of Warren, OH – Demographic data 21 44,473 people Median age: 36.8 years Foreign born 1.1% Data from 2005-2007 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

25. City of Warren, OH – Economic data 22 Median household income (in 2007 inflation-adjusted dollars): $33,122 Median family income (in 2007 inflation-adjusted dollars): $41,312 Families below poverty level: 22.1% Individuals below poverty level: 24.9% Data from 2005-2007 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

27. Range 0-100; Higher values = high degree of segregation

28. Interpretation: A value of 60 means that 60% of the members of one group would need to move to a different tract in order for the two groups to be equally distributed. 23 City of Warren Blacks and Hispanics are re-segregating. http://mumford.albany.edu/census/WholePop/CitySegdata/3980892City.htm

29. School Locations Mahoning and Trumbull counties Darker shades indicate higher percentages of non-whites 24

30. School Poverty Mahoning and Trumbull counties 25

31. Lowest-Performing Schools are usually High-Poverty Schools. 26

33. Range 0-100; Higher values = high degree of segregation

34. Interpretation: A value of 60 means that 60% of the members of one group would need to move to a different tract in order for the two groups to be equally distributed. 27 Youngstown – Warren MSA Between 1990 and 2000, segregation between all groups decreased. http://mumford.albany.edu/census/WholePop/WPSegdata/9320msa.htm

35. Racial Differences in Neighborhood CharacteristicsYoungstown-Warren, OH MSA 28 Data are provided for households, & households have been classified by the race/ethnicity of the household head. http://mumford.albany.edu/census/SepUneq/PublicSepDataPages/9320msaSep.htm

36. Unemployment: Youngstown-Warren MSA 29 http://www.regionalchamber.com/EconomicDevelopment/FactsFigures/LocalEconomy/Unemployment.aspx http://www.regionalchamber.com/EconomicDevelopment/FactsFigures/Monthly%20EconomicIndicators.aspx

37. Youngstown-Warren-Boardman MSA EMPLOYMENT 30 http://www.regionalchamber.com/EconomicDevelopment/FactsFigures/LocalEconomy/JobGrowth.aspx

38. Organizing and Advocacy Framing the issues 31

39. Fragmentation, Regionalism, and Equity 32 Investing in equity builds the economy of the entire region, thus uplifting everyone “…even controlling for the fact that growth itself probably lowers poverty and inequality, improvements in various equity measures are likely to improve regional performance and therefore benefit city dwellers and suburbanites alike.” (p. 98) “But our research, both in Los Angeles and in the rest of the country, suggests that individuals and communities that are better connected to regional opportunities experience higher incomes and increased efficacy.” (p. 12) Pastor, Manuel, et al. Regions that Work: How Cities and Suburbs Can Grow Together (University of Minnesota Press, 2000).

40. Creating Empathetic Space 33 Everyone needs help now and then; we all want to do better We share deep values, concerns, and hopes Addressing the problems that have a racial footprint has implications and benefits for all members of society, not just marginalized groups – linked fate It’s not “robbing Peter to pay Paul;” instead, everyone benefits http://www.equaljusticesociety.org/2008/12/talking-about-race-in-the-obama-era/

41. Framing Conversations 34 Lead with values: Opportunity “Everyone deserves a fair chance to achieve his/her potential.” Security “All people should have the tools & resources necessary to support themselves & their families.” Mobility (moving forward) “Everyone in our society should have the chance to move forward in economic and educational status, no matter where they started out.” Talking Points: Opportunity and Economic Recovery (2009). Opportunity Agenda.

42. Framing Conversations 35 Lead with values: Community “We are all in it together in our society and share interests and responsibilities for each other and the common good.” Equality “What we look like or where we come from should not determine the burdens, benefits, or responsibilities that we bear in society.” Redemption “People grow and change over time, and deserve a chance to start over after missteps or misfortune.” Talking Points: Opportunity and Economic Recovery (2009). Opportunity Agenda.

43. Organizing for Criminal Justice Reform 36 Seek analyses of successful efforts elsewhere Gather data such as whether crime increased, feelings of public safety, etc. Learn about how those efforts were conducted Campaign strategies Communication tactics Compare the Warren area to the areas involved in other efforts How does your community relate? How does it differ?

44. Crime in the Youngstown-Warren area “The overall crime rate in the Youngstown-Warren area has improved in the last few years, making the area a safer place to be. The U.S. average is 50. An index of 100 is the least crime, thus the higher numbers are more attractive.” Source: Editor and Publisher Market Guide 2008 37 http://www.regionalchamber.com/EconomicDevelopment/LivingInYoungstown/CrimeRates.aspx

45. Ohio Criminal Justice Reform Initiatives 38 Ohio Justice and Policy Center (OJPC) in Cincinnati In 2004 OJPC sued the Ohio Secretary of State and 21 boards of elections who had been erroneously advising felons that they could not vote. OJPC was co-counsel to two class action lawsuits against the Ohio Department of Youth Services (2007 & 2008), forcing the state to make major improvements to the existing system. Additionally in 2008 they filed a class action suit challenging residency restrictions for convicted sex-offenders.

46. Ohio Criminal Justice Reform Initiatives 39 Voices for Ohio’s Children: Juvenile Justice Initiative (Columbus and Cleveland) Earlier this year Voices partnered with nearly 20 other Ohio based organizations from across the state and created a work group to publish a report called: “Framework for Transforming the Juvenile Justice System.” This report provides a model Ohio Department of Youth Services (ODYS) care continuum. Although the report identifies sixteen attributes of a model ODYS, one of the center points of this vision is to reduce institutionalization by expanding effective community-based alternatives.

47. Ohio Criminal Justice Reform Initiatives 40 ACLU of Ohio The ACLU works on criminal justice reform issues specifically related to juvenile justice. They released a 2009 report card for Ohio’s Juvenile Justice System publicizing the ways that Ohio is failing its children, such as, permitting them to be routinely shackled, requiring them to be charged as adults for certain crimes, and waiving their right to an attorney. Defending children’s right to counsel and access to the courts is one of the ACLU’s main juvenile justice emphases. ACLU Ohio also offers a variety of informational and advocacy resources on their website including the “cradle to the prison pipeline,” juveniles’ rights, and pending legislative action.

48. Reform on a National Level 41 Ban the Box This campaign calls for the elimination of the questions about past convictions on initial public employment applications. This campaign challenges many “boxes” on a variety of applications (i.e. employment, housing, social services, etc.) we are required to check that supports structural discrimination against formerly-incarcerated people. Banning the box on public employment applications will contribute to public safety because it will promote stable employment in our communities. People with jobs and stable community lives are much less likely to return committing crimes in order to survive. Boston, San Francisco, Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul are among the cities that have removed the box from applications for government jobs. Boston’s ordinance extends to vendors with government contracts. Partially quoted from: http://www.allofusornone.org/campaigns/ban-the-box http://www.examiner.com/x-662-Strange-News-Examiner~y2009m1d10-Ban-the-box--exconvict-job-seekers-no-longer-required-to-disclose-criminal-past

49. Reform on a National Level 42 The Justice Project – Opportunities for Reform Improving Eyewitness Identification Procedures Expanding Post-Conviction DNA Testing Improving Forensic Evidence Testing Procedures Improving Standards for Admissibility of Accomplice and Snitch Testimony Ensuring Proper Safeguards Against Prosecutorial Misconduct Expanding Discovery in Criminal Cases Electronic Recording of Custodial Interrogations Ensuring Standards for the Appointment and Performance of Counsel in Capital Cases

50. Reform on a National Level – The Justice Project’s Successes 43 Ensuring Passage of the Innocence Protection Act- TJPled a five-year campaign to pass the Innocence Protection Act (IPA), the first federal death penalty reform legislation to pass Congress and be signed into law. The IPA includes funding for the Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Program, which provides funding for DNA testing of individuals who may have been wrongfully convicted. Leading the Campaign to End the Juvenile Death PenaltyOn March 1, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the juvenile death penalty in a landmark 5-4 decision in Roper v. Simmons. TJP coordinated a national campaign, “Kids Are Different,” to illustrate that kids are mentally, emotionally and physically different from adults and therefore less culpable for their actions. Preserving Habeas CorpusThe Justice Project successfully fought legislation in the 109th Congress that would have effectively eliminated federal review of criminal cases and increased errors and injustice in the criminal justice system.

51. How can we advocate for opportunity communities? 44

52. Neighborhood Revitalization 45 A systems response Where are your key leverage points? What are the critical intervention points? Equity focused Creating a community for all (not a model of gentrification) Emphasis on strategic collaboration

54. Connect people to existing opportunities throughout the metropolitan region

55. Bring opportunities to opportunity-deprived areas

57. 48 Questions or Comments? For More Information, Visit Us On-Line:www.KirwanInstitute.org

58. Appendix 49

59. 50 Targeted Universalism Targeted Universalism recognizes racial disparities and the importance of eradicating them, while acknowledging their presence within a larger inequitable, institutional framework Targeted universalism is a common framework through which to pursue justice. A model which recognizes our linked fate A model where we all grow together A model where we embrace collective solutions

60. 51 Interconnectedness Recognize the interconnectedness of our being and our fate Develop and implement solutions that benefit ALL members of society Reject the myth of scarcity Strengthen our democracy Collaborate and focus on coalition building Interconnectedness provokes both political and spiritual questions.

61. Coalition Building 52 We need to move from transactional level to a deeper transformative level What would this look like? What are the costs and consequences of this transition? Coalition across groups, space, ideology Ethics of connectedness and linked fate Structures, policies, institutions actively disconnect us whereas they could proactively connect us

62. 53 The Path to Transformation Moving from a transactional to a transformational paradigm requires redefining the self in relation to others Moving beyond the self: “In every major religious tradition the ideal is unity, and separation leads to suffering.” * * * * * * * * * * What interferes with building these transformational relationships? What kind of leadership is required of us?

63. Transactional v. Transformational Leadership 54 Transformational Leadership Transformational leadership is about implementing new ideas These individuals continually change themselves They stay flexible and adaptable They continually improve those around them Transformational leaders have been written about for thousands of years--being both praised (Christ and Buddha) and cursed (Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan)