Explanation
This ordinance authorizes Columbus City Council to enter into contracts with The Center for Healthy Families and Debora Myles Consulting, LLC in supporting the transition of the Commission on Black Girls into a permanent entity.
Racial disparities persist in various economic and social outcomes. Income, wealth, educational attainment, and health all have trends that highlight the persistence of the challenges that have resulted from historical realities. Inequities continue to present significant challenges in the lives of Black women even from their childhood.
In order to change the trajectory of Black women, it is important to focus on Black girls and position Black girls “at promise” as opposed to “at risk”. On July 16, 2018 Columbus City Council adopted resolution 0208X-2018 to create a Commission on Black Girls, sponsored by Council Member Priscilla R. Tyson. The twenty-five member Commission is composed of key community stakeholders representing private, public and non-profit organizations.
The Commission studied and assessed the current quality of life for Black girls’ ages 11-22, residing in central Ohio. Intervening in the experiences of Black females while they are still girls may be the most effective way of improving their future outcomes. The Commission has engaged in eighteen months of intensive fact finding and hearing from subject-matter experts on the current issues (social determinants) that impact the quality of life for Black girls. Through the culmination of analytic results from listening sessions, focus groups, literature reviews, expert discourse and survey results, the Commission will develop and implement recommendations to ensure opportunities, successful futures and the achievement of a high quality of life for Black girls. The Commission on Black Girls issued their findings and next steps on July 30, 2020. One of the recommendations was to create the Commission on Black Girls as a permanent entity.
Under the auspices...
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