Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance allocates $150,000 from the General Fund and directs the Director of Development to contract with the Columbus Urban League to develop a program to address challenges existing in the Columbus African American male community. The program will access activities and programs available within the community to meet the needs of African American males, particularly with respect to violence prevention, and will develop an action plan that the City and other community leaders should follow to address issues and concerns facing Columbus African American males.
On January 16, 2006 Mayor Michael Coleman and Councilmember Kevin L. Boyce convened an African American male summit. The impetus for this summit was to determine the nature of the issues causing the disproportionate increase in homicide rates, high-school dropout rates, as well as the growing population trends for African American males in the Columbus area. 76% of the murder victims in 2005 were African American males as were 72% of the suspects, while 69% of these suspects were under 30 years old. The Columbus Urban League will evaluate activities and programs that currently exist throughout the community, develop an action plan, host an annual convening of stake-holders, and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.
The Columbus Urban League will explore at a minimum the following 4 areas:
? Prevention - Coordinate prevention and rehabilitation programs to reduce the incidence of violence for African American males.
? Business - Promote business ownership and entrepreneurial efforts, employ African American males.
? Educational/Social Development - Create opportunities for social development, educational improvement, and mentoring resource access.
? Faith Base - Coordinate services with existing resource opportunities with faith-based organizations, social service agencies, and community entities.
Emergency action is requested to expedite the w...
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