After Jackson - Episode 6: Vitals

Last year, Cleveland joined a lot of cities around the country in declaring racism as a public health crisis.

Here’s what they meant by that: Cleveland's Black residents fare worse than white residents across nearly all health outcomes – from heart disease to life expectancy to infant mortality.

Many health officials view these disparities as stemming not from individual behaviors, but from historical, systematic policies that have disadvantaged Black and brown Clevelanders.

The resolution created a committee of local nonprofit groups that will advise council on policy decisions and try to address racial disparities.

But the group does not have its own money to fund new projects, so some wonder how the group will actually make change.

We’re asking what Cleveland has achieved in the year since passing that declaration, and what the candidates for mayor will do if they are elected. 

Plus: The seven candidates for Cleveland mayor met again Tuesday night at the Idea Center for their second debate, hosted by Ideastream Public Media and the City Club of Cleveland.

I moderated – and I had a lot of fun. It was a lively discussion.

In this episide, you'll hear the candidates discuss making sure Clevelanders can get jobs that pay a living wage. The conversation quickly turned to the fight a few years ago about raising the minimum wage within Cleveland’s boundaries.

Cleveland mayoral candidates Zack Reed, Justin Bibb, Ross DiBello and Kevin Kelley addressed issues including education, economic development and the environment at the second debate hosted by Ideastrestream Public Media and the City Club of Cleveland. [Michaelangelo's Photography]

Follow “After Jackson: Cleveland's Next Mayor” on NPR One, iTunes or on your favorite podcast platform. Or catch it every Wednesday at 9 a.m. on the “Sound of Ideas” on 90.3 WCPN.