RACE EQUITY & INCLUSION - COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS - 2018 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY - In Racine County
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COMMUNITY
CONVERSATIONS
RACE
EQUITY &
INCLUSION
In Racine County
2018 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
LEARNING BY LISTENING TO OTHERS
T he report you hold in your hands is the result
of two years of listening to our community,
providing details regarding what we heard and what
bear this out, but this is how black and Hispanic
residents feel about their place in our community.
We chose to devote two years to the topic of race,
we plan to do to address the challenges identified equity, and inclusion because it is imperative to
by Racine County residents. our work as a community impact organization
In 2016, United Way chose to focus that we have a deep and thorough
its Community Conversations on understanding of the issues and
race, equity, and inclusion in Racine challenges we face as a community.
County. This was part of a larger These inequities ultimately
effort by United Way Worldwide carry a cost and hold us back as
to help communities engage in a community. We cannot create
productive conversations around long-term systemic change without
challenging issues like race in the considering racial inequity and its
wake of violent incidents around impact on the health, education, and
the country. financial stability of residents of color
These kitchen table-style and our community as a whole.
discussions—based on a model developed Once again, we hope you find this year’s report
by the Harwood Institute—are designed to provide informative and enlightening. While some of
a safe environment to share and collect feedback what you read might challenge your assumptions
from community members of various ages, about our community, we hope it is eye-opening.
backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences. United And in order to move forward, we invite you to
Way of Racine County began holding Community stay engaged with us as we work to provide
Conversations in 2013 as a way to authentically opportunities to create a better community for
engage our community. everyone.
We know that conversations about race can be By understanding the aspirations and challenges
difficult for a community to have. However, they’re identified by participants regarding race, equity, and
vitally important if we’re to move forward together. inclusion, we can develop long-lasting solutions
That’s why we decided to continue our Community with community partners. Together, we can create
Conversations on race, equity, and inclusion for a positive change in our community. Together, we will
second year in a row. build an educated workforce in Racine County.
Here’s why we believe that was necessary:
What the data clearly demonstrates—and what Rodney Prunty
we have heard during the course of both rounds President & Chief Professional Officer
of Community Conversations—is that more often
than not, blacks and Hispanics in our community
experience some of our biggest economic and
social challenges. Not only do the statistics
“Since 2013, (United Way of Racine County) has been engaging in community conversations.
They’ve talked to hundreds of people in their community year round about the things that
mattered most to those people. In 2016, they focused on racism and policing at a time when our
communities across the U.S. needed that conversation. People wanted those conversations.
Police wanted the conversations. Citizens wanted the conversations. White people wanted the
conversations. Black people wanted the conversations. They needed a place and an organization
they could trust to bring them together.”
BRIAN GALLAGHER — President and CEO, United Way Worldwide
2 2018 Community Conversations Report
OUR COMMUNITY AT A GLANCE
O ver the past 40 years, Racine Population by Race
County has undergone
significant change. The county’s
largest community, the city of
Racine, has seen its population Racine County 80.1% 11.0% 8.9%
decrease while neighboring villages
like Mount Pleasant and Caledonia
have evolved from rural into now 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
largely suburban communities. White Black Other
While the population of Racine
County has decreased slightly since Population by Race
the 2010 census to an estimated
194,873, the city’s population has
continued to drop from a high of City of Racine 63.7% 22.2% 14.1%
more than 94,000 in 1970 to an
estimated 77,931 today, according
to U.S. Census Bureau data.
During this same time period, 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
White Black Other
the city of Racine has become
one of the state’s most diverse
Population by Ethnicity
communities. In 1970, the city’s
population was almost 90 percent
white.
According to most recent Racine County 12.5% 87.5%
estimates, 23 percent of the city’s
residents are Hispanic/Latino and
22 percent are black. Racine has a
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
history of being more diverse than Hispanic or Latino Non-Hispanic or Latino
the rest of Wisconsin and the nation
as a whole. It’s also struggled with Population by Ethnicity
segregation and the ensuing issues
this causes.
However, despite its diversity,
people of color in both the city City of Racine 22.7% 77.3%
and the county continue to lag
behind their white counterparts
according to all available measures. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
While this report focuses on Hispanic or Latino Non-Hispanic or Latino
specific disparities like health
Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2012-16
outcomes, suspension rates, and
unemployment, people of color also many dedicated community to lessen the community’s
lag behind their white counterparts partners—city government, enthusiasm, but to serve as
in areas such as educational county government, the Racine a flashlight to help illuminate
attainment and homeownership. Unified School District, and the some of the obstacles that
Though these obstacles have business community—change continue to hold us back, so
held Racine back for some time, is on the horizon. that we can work together to
through the collaboration of This report is not meant overcome them.
2018 Community Conversations Report 3
WHY DISPARITIES MATTER
W hether we realize it or not, there is a high
cost to ignoring racial and ethnic disparities
that persist throughout our society. Countless
While the nation continues to become
increasingly diverse, efforts to address the
persistent racial and ethnic disparities have
studies over the past decade have pointed to the faltered, and economists have argued that this
challenges faced by black and Hispanic residents, can stifle growth and competitiveness and that
both nationally and here in Wisconsin. racial inequities threaten economic growth and
In fact, when it comes to racial equity, Wisconsin prosperity as people of color become the majority.
ranks very low. The picture here in Racine County By 2050, more than half of U.S. workers and
is not much different. The disparities that consumers will be people of color. As America
have created our current situation didn’t occur confronts human capital constraints on our
overnight. They developed over decades. workforce, we must look to the potential of all and
From healthcare, to education, to employment, take deliberate, realistic, and proven measures to
the racial divide is massive, as the data clearly enable the full participation of all.*
demonstrates. In the following pages, you’ll get
just a glimpse of what is happening here in Racine *Source: The Business Case for Racial Equity: A Strategy for
County and the city of Racine. Growth (W.K. Kellogg Foundation)
RACE EQUITY INCLUSION
A socially constructed system “The state, quality or ideal of The action or state of including
of categorizing humans largely being just, impartial and fair.” The or of being included within a
based on observable physical concept of equity is synonymous group or structure. More than
features (phenotypes), such with fairness and justice. It is simply diversity and numerical
as skin color, and on ancestry. helpful to think of equity as not representation, inclusion involves
There is no scientific basis for, or simply a desired state of affairs authentic and empowered
discernible distinction between, or a lofty value. To be achieved participation and a true sense of
racial categories. The ideology and sustained, equity needs to belonging.*
of race has become embedded be thought of as a structural and
in our identities, institutions and systemic concept.*
culture and is used as a basis for
discrimination and domination.* *Source: Race Equity and Inclusion Action Guide (The Annie E. Casey Foundation)
4 2018 Community Conversations Report
DISPARITIES IN HEALTH
14.5%
Black infants in Racine County are
two times more likely to be a low
birth weight than white babies.
Birth weight is the weight of the newborn measured
immediately after birth. A birth weight of less than 5.5 lbs,
or 2500 grams, is considered a low birth weight. Compared
to infants of normal weight, low birth weight infants may
be more at risk for many health problems.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Source: Wisconsin Department of Health
Services, Office of Health Informatics
In 2016, 1 out of 7 infants in Racine County born to
black mothers were born underweight.
Healthy People 2020 defines a to health based on their racial
health disparity as “a particular or ethnic group; religion;
type of health difference socioeconomic status; gender;
that is closely linked with age; mental health; cognitive,
social, economic, and/or sensory, or physical disability;
environmental disadvantage.” sexual orientation or gender
Health disparities adversely identity; geographic location;
affect groups of people or other characteristics
who have systematically historically linked to
experienced greater obstacles discrimination or exclusion.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Office of
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
“
Acknowledge that saying you are ‘color blind’
disregards the history and culture of others.
Community Conversation Participant
2018 Community Conversations Report 5
DISPARITIES IN EDUCATION
25%
Black students are suspended at higher
rates than their Hispanic or white
classmates; 25 percent of black Racine
Unified students were suspended during
the 2015-16 school year, more than
twice the average (12.1 percent) of all
student suspensions combined.
Suspension rate for black
Source: WISE DASH, Wisconsin DPI, SDPR
Racine Unified students.
1 out of 4 black Racine Unified students were
suspended during the 2015-16 school year.
Racine Unified using Circles of Support to address inequity
Circles of Support is an assets- develop positive and supportive
based and flexible approach peer relationships.
to addressing racial and other The circles support social-
disparities that draws out and emotional development through
builds on the strengths and reflective practices and collective
aspirations of African-American problem solving and promote
and other students of color, and intellectual curiosity and growth.
builds on their existing supportive Facilitators provide informal
relationships. coaching and support to the
Students meet with a facilitator participants’ classroom teachers,
once a week. The meetings create a empowering students to connect
nurturing place for mutual support, what they learned in the circle to
and students are able to participate what happens in the classroom, and
in ways that affirm their everyday helping teachers understand how to
“
lives and identities. Participants support their students’ growth.
Just because we’re a different race doesn’t
mean we’re not as smart as you.
Community Conversation Participant
6 2018 Community Conversations Report
DISPARITIES IN FINANCIAL STABILITY
18%
Black unemployment rate
in the city of Racine.
Source: American Community Survey
5-year estimates, 2012-16
The unemployment rate is
negatively correlated with
educational attainment: The more
educated the workforce, the lower
the unemployment rate.
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
20
15
10 18%
12%
5 9%
0
White/Caucasian Hispanic/Latino Black/African-American
Racine County unemployment rates vary only slightly from
the city’s: black, 17%; Hispanic/Latino, 10%; white, 6%.
In 2016, the median black median white household
worker earned 75 percent of earned in a year; and the value
what the median white worker of net worth for the median
earned in an hour; the median black family was just 10
black household earned 61 percent of the value for the
percent of the income the median white family.
Source: Economic Policy Institute
“
There’s a long history of discrimination
that has kept us separated, both regionally
and economically.
Community Conversation Participant
2018 Community Conversations Report 7
WHO DID WE HEAR FROM?
2017-18 COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
Between October 2017 and May 2018, United 1%
Way of Racine County held 16 conversations
no answer
with 159 participants representing the men
following community groups: women
n John XXIII Education Center
n African American Roundtable
n Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp.
n United Way of Racine County Board
51%
women
48% men
n 16th Street C.O.P. House
n Dr. John Bryant Community Center (Youth)
n Dr. John Bryant Community Center (Adults)
n Racine Family YMCA: Focus on Fathers
n Gateway Technical College
n Greening Greater Racine
n University of Wisconsin-Parkside
n Racine Interfaith Coalition
n Racine Vocational Ministry
n J.I. Case High School
n Transitional Living Center Burlington
n Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin
8 2018 Community Conversations Report
PARTICIPATION
BY AGE 31% Baby Boomer (1946 - 1964)
9% Silent Generation (1925 - 1945)
21% Generation X (1965 - 1980)
31% Millennial (1981 - 1996)
6%
Generation Z (1997 and after)
2%
No Answer
PARTICIPATION 39% White/Caucasian
BY RACE/ETHNICITY 35% Black/African American
15% Hispanic/Latino
1% American Indian/Native Alaskan
2% Asian
6% Other
1%
No Answer
PARTICIPATION
BY RESIDENCY 69% City of Racine
24% Racine County
6% Other
1% No Answer
2018 Community Conversations Report 9
WHAT DID WE HEAR?
n Understanding racism and the effects of stereotyping
n Addressing systemic inequities
CHALLENGES n Lack of resources to create positive change within
neighborhoods and communities of people of color
n Racially segregated neighborhoods*
n A business community that reflects the demographics of its
community members
ASPIRATIONS n Understanding and acceptance of racial differences*
n An equitable, inclusive, and safe community
n Diverse leadership throughout all sectors in Racine County
n Provide opportunities to educate the community about the history of race
and its implications in today’s society
n Commitment to taking personal action by engaging in work within our
SOLUTIONS own spheres of influence to address personal biases
n Encourage community leaders to take action to address the challenges
around racial inequities
n A community-wide event to learn about and celebrate cultural differences*
* Identified during both rounds of Community Conversations
10 2018 Community Conversations ReportTURN OUTWARD TALKS
AGE
I n addition to hosting Community Conversations,
United Way of Racine County solicited responses
from Racine County residents through an 3%
Silent Generation (Before 1945)
anonymous online survey. A total of 63 individuals
responded to the survey. Turn Outward Talks, based 24%
Millennial
on Rich Harwood’s “ask exercise,” gave United Way (1981 to 1996)
49%
a chance to hear from a diverse group of community Baby Boomer
(1946 to 1964)
members who did not participate in a Community
Conversation. 24%
Generation X
(1965 to 1980)
As in 2017, we asked the following questions:
n When thinking about race and equity, what kind of
community do you want?
n How is that different from how you see the
community in which you live?
n Is racism and discrimination a problem in Racine
County and why? RACE
n In your opinion, what are some ways we can
confront racism and discrimination in Racine 6%
6%
Other
County? Hispanic/
Latino
Themes 17%
Black/
African-American
n A diverse, inclusive, and equitable community, a 71%
White/Caucasian
community that celebrates diversity and supports
those in need.*
n Address systemic racism in our education,
healthcare, and judicial systems that negatively
affects marginalized races.
n Equality resulting in fair treatment for all.
Participants indicated the need for accountability
that would ensure our businesses, employees,
RESIDENCY
schools, and parents are promoting equality.*
19%
n Opportunities to learn more about racism and its Other
implications–professional learning.
n Opportunities to engage and learn about other 54%
City of Racine
cultures–continued conversations, community 27%
Racine County
events.*
* Identified during both rounds of Turn Outward Talk surveys
2018 Community Conversations Report 11CONVERSATION SNAPSHOT
CASE HIGH SCHOOL
In May 2018, United Way of Racine County held a Community
Conversation with a group of 10 students from Case High
School to learn their thoughts, concerns, and aspirations about
race, equity, and inclusion in Racine County from teenagers’
perspectives.
CHALLENGES PARTICIPANTS
n Participants indicated there are more microaggressions than 10 Case High School Students
blatant racism
n High-level classes are largely white with staff that act with a Gender
sense of superiority 6 Female
n Fear of being judged among friend groups and sports teams 4 Male
keeps us segregated
n People refuse to admit racism is a problem Age
10 Generation Z (1997 and after)
ASPIRATIONS Race/Ethnicity
n An open-minded community that sees people as equals
1 Black
n Personal communication instead of using social media
3 White/Caucasian
n Empathy for youth who are growing up in difficult situations
1 Black/Caucasian
and giving them a sense of hope
2 Hispanic/Latino
n No fear of violence
3 Hispanic/Latino/Caucasian
SOLUTIONS Education Level
n Bring seemingly different groups together to embrace their 10 High School
differences
n Equal opportunities for students of color Residency/Work
n Required classes to educate all people on Latino and African 7 Live in the city of Racine
American history 4 Work in the city of Racine
n Start with parents and their children 3 Live in Racine County
n Accountability and real consequences for race-driven actions 6 Work in Racine County
“
It’s hard to watch your friends not be able to
experience the same things as you in an equal way.
Case High School student
12 2018 Community Conversations ReportFINAL THOUGHTS
O ur credo is: We fight for the health, education, and
financial stability of every person in our community.
We know the foundation of any community’s long-term
success starts with understanding inequities.
That is why we devoted two years to listening and
understanding our community’s perceptions, experiences,
and recommendations around race, equity, and inclusion.
We want you to know we are listening and will apply
an equity lens when it comes to our daily work, to help
sharpen our focus on outcomes. Our response started
after last year’s Community Conversations Report Out
event.
We listened to attendees’ suggestions and over the
last year we have focused on implementing those
recommendations. This included: expanding our CORE
Team by inviting community members to participate;
ensuring Community Conversations better represented
our diverse community, including age, race, education
level, and gender; and most importantly, focusing on
training our staff about race, equity, and inclusion.
Eliminating racism and inequity will take time and
resources. We will continue to engage partners in
business, government, education, and nonprofits in
dialogue and work around this subject matter. But
we cannot do this alone. That is why we invite you to
participate in the change.
All registered attendees of the 2018 Community
Conversations Report Out event will receive an email.
We encourage you to take the survey and follow the links
provided to learn more about what we have shared in
this report and how you can get involved in the coming
months and years as we continue to work together
to make Racine County a community where everyone
prospers. We all win when we LIVE UNITED.
2018 Community Conversations Report 13NEXT STEPS
I n July 2017, United Way of Racine County’s
Community Conversations CORE Team
knew that the following year’s Community
United Way of Racine County
Community Conversations CORE Team
Conversations would again focus on the issue of United Way of Racine County Staff
race, equity, and inclusion in Racine County.
Julie Anderson
Clearly, one year was not enough to dedicate
Executive Assistant
to such an important topic and there were more
individuals who needed to be heard from. Alexa Haigh
With the encouragement and support of Vice President of Investor Relations
United Way Worldwide, United Way of Racine Alberto Huerta
County spent the past year engaging even Investor Relations Manager
more community members in this important MaryBeth Kallio
conversation with the ultimate goal of creating Community Investment Director
positive next steps that could help move our
community forward. One of the main purposes of Community Members
Community Conversations is to help inform our Steven Mussenden
work as a community impact organization. Executive Director, Racine Literacy Council
The past two years of conversations—26 Genie Webb
conversations and 263 participants—have Outreach Specialist, WWBIC
helped us better understand the challenges
our community faces when it comes to racial
inequities. These inequities contribute to
the disparities we see in the areas of health, dedicated their time and their voices over the
education, and financial stability and will continue past two years of Community Conversations.
to hold us back unless we address them. We would also like to thank Steven
On the following page, you’ll read what Mussenden, executive director of the Racine
tactics the CORE Team developed to bring our Literacy Council, and Genie Webb, outreach
community together, better understand each specialist at the Wisconsin Women’s Business
other, and move us forward. Initiative Corporation for joining the CORE Team.
We are grateful to all the participants who
14 2018 Community Conversations ReportNEXT STEPS
Community Pledge: Declaration of Inclusion
United Way of Racine County is asking the community to be part
of the movement of inclusion—the active, intentional, and ongoing
engagement with diversity—by signing a “Declaration of Inclusion”
pledge. This pledge asks individuals to respect and appreciate all
aspects of any person, including race, religion, skin color, nationality,
sexual orientation, gender identity, physical abilities, age, parental
status, work and behavioral styles, and the perspectives of each
individual as shaped by their nation, culture, and experiences. In
addition to taking the personal pledge, United Way of Racine County
will help individuals build their “equity muscle” through a quarterly
newsletter with various resources, events, and ways to stay involved.
Diversity Council
United Way of Racine County is creating a community-wide
Diversity Council. The council is designed to engage business
partners around the focus areas of race, equity, and inclusion.
Research indicates organizations that tie diversity and inclusion to
their business strategies increase performance, productivity and
customer satisfaction. Through the support of United Way, members
will have the opportunity to participate in quarterly meetings focused
on five essential components of diversity in the workplace: situation,
strategy, structure, skills and knowledge, and sustainability. The goal
of the council is to provide business representatives with the training
and support to create diversity and inclusion strategies in their own
workplace, resulting in more diverse, inclusive workplaces aligned
with organizational goals.
Community Event
United Way of Racine County has joined together with Racine
County, Higher Expectations for Racine County, and Visioning
a Greater Racine to host the first community-wide diversity
celebration to be held in Racine County. “OneRacine” is the result
of one of the top solutions identified by participants in our past
two years of Community Conversations on race, equity, and
inclusion. Participants expressed their desire for an event in which
all members of the community could come together to learn
about and celebrate cultural differences. “OneRacine” will be held OneRacine
celebrating culture, diversity, & community
Saturday, October 6 at Festival Hall. Admission to this event is free
and will offer community resources, live performances, and many
multicultural foods and items for purchase.
2018 Community Conversations Report 15United Way of Racine County
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