Category: Racial Equity

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Flexin’ in my melanin: Exploring colorism and its impact on our world

Tar baby, light bright, darkie, high yella—words that many in the Black community have heard or been called, me included. Growing up, I was a shade or two lighter or darker than my mom, depending on the season. Walking around as a lighter skinned child with light-colored eyes elicited varying responses– from curious gazes to...

Has anything improved for Black women in Cleveland? Project Noir survey is open.
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Has anything improved for Black women in Cleveland? Project Noir survey is open.

The Worst City for Black Women In 2020, Bloomberg City Lab ranked Cleveland as the worst livable city for Black Women. Founders Chinenye Nkemere and Bethany Studenic of Enlightened Solutions decided to spring into action. The firm centers the lived experiences of diverse people in the research, advocacy, and solutions they provide to cultivate change...

Never Safe: The experience of Black women in Northeast Ohio?
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Never Safe: The experience of Black women in Northeast Ohio?

Earlier this year, our CEO, Emily Campbell, mentioned the work that we are doing through the Community Reinvestment Collaborative Plan (CRCP), in collaboration with the Ohio Association of Health Plans, to reinvest money back into communities in Athens County and Cuyahoga County. This work required extensive travel throughout Cuyahoga County, where I listened to residents...

“Fast Car” and the poverty ties that bind us
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“Fast Car” and the poverty ties that bind us

The first time I heard a white man cover Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car, it wasn’t Luke Combs. It was last summer at a shopping center upscale enough to have a concert green and covered stage. My reaction was involuntary: “that man has absolutely no business singing that song.”   Turned out the performance at the mall...

Was that racist? Dealing with racial and bias communication
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Was that racist? Dealing with racial and bias communication

“I could never wear a print that bold.” “My, that’s such an unusual hairstyle.” “Hey, can you tell me if that’s a boy or a girl? I don’t want to offend them by misgendering them.” Statements like these can cause a variety of feelings, ranging from hurt and disappointment to anger and disgust, leading to...

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Race, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work: Is it still worth it?

Three years ago, many nonprofits declared they would actively address racial equity and diversity matters for their employees and communities served. Even some major for-profit corporations promised to do better and join the sea of declarations. The Center for Community Solutions shared its commitment to embark on our own Racial Equity Journey. Deep diving from...

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5 Things coming from Community Solutions in 2024

We finished 2023 strong, poised to leverage the growing support of our local foundations and funders to continue, deepen, and grow our work. Check out just a few of our plans for 2024.  1. Love our community fact sheets? Get ready for more! Thanks to generous support from The Cleveland Foundation, Community Solutions will build...

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Redistricting and representation in rural, white Ohio 

Key Findings  Ohio recently completed a two-year process to create new Senate and House district maps  The majority of new districts are comprised of mostly census-designated rural regions   73 percent of senate districts and 63 percent of House districts are majority rural  Rural regions comprise about 90 percent of the Ohio’s land, yet only...