The Cleveland Community Relations Board began a Race Relations Initiative by holding conversation with citizens. After 5 years they have released their first report and it’s more about income disparity than race relations. It's called Transforming Cleveland: Building Equity for All to Thrive.
Cleveland is often cited as being a very segregated city. It’s also cited for having the second highest poverty rate among large cities. It’s that second issue the Community Relations Board wants to work on by improving the economic situation in the black and brown neighborhoods.
The Community Relations Board wants to address that problem by improving the economic situation in African American and Hispanic neighborhoods.
“We are taking a worst-first approach an equitable approach, to addressing these issues," said Cleveland Planning Director Fred Collier, "to ensure that as Cleveland continues to grow that the opportunities and the access to opportunities are present to everyone.”
Mayor Frank Jackson says it’s about leveling the playing field instead of perpetuating disparity. He gives one example: the build-out of Interstate 490 through a largely Black community.
“We were able to put in there a local hiring law, even though we are fighting the state on that issue. We were allowed to have infrastructure put in to the road in such a way that it gave economic opportunity on the permanent jobs. “
Jackson says the entire community will benefit from income equality and inclusion