Field Guide for Organizers Targets Policy Equity
A unique new field guide designed to help organizers and policymakers bring racial equity into their work is among several materials recently developed by ISAIAH, a faith-based organization in Minnesota, in partnership with The Kirwan Institute. The field guide, Shining the Light: a Practical Guide to Co-Creating Healthy Communities, may also serve as a helpful example for other racial equity advocates and policymakers. (Read More)
New Online Booklet Offers Affirmative Action Insight
While affirmative action policies have opened pathways to opportunity for many Americans, the administrative and legal complexity of these programs has generated a good deal of confusion and uncertainty. In response, the Kirwan Institute has created a new resource booklet to help policymakers and advocates navigate the legalities – and better understand the limitations – of affirmative action law. Affirmative Action in Ohio – A resource for Policymakers and Advocates is designed to be a practical, “user-friendly” resource. This reference outlines how affirmative action may be structured to comply with federal and State of Ohio law.
Kirwan Advises State Board of Education
The 2007 United States Supreme Court Parents Involved decision placed limits on school districts’ options for voluntary school integration, resulting in the State Board of Education of Ohio’s suspension of a diversity policy previously used in Ohio districts statewide. In 2009, the State Board of Education turned to the Kirwan Institute for advice on revising its statewide educational diversity policy. This spring, the Kirwan Institute facilitated four regional meetings for school superintendents, administrators and other stakeholders around the state to share best practices and gain input. Drawing upon these meetings and the latest social science research, the Kirwan Institute presented 10 recommendations for the State Board of Education’s revised diversity policy, which will be used to inform the creation of new guidelines for school systems across the state.
Fall Events Planned
bell hooks to be Scholar-in-Residence
bell hooks, the internationally recognized author and scholar, will be in residence at Ohio State this year as Visiting Distinguished Professor of Women’s Studies. She will be on campus for two weeks in autumn, October 18-29, 2010, and back next spring in May 2011 for an additional two weeks. She will deliver a public lecture at 4:30 p.m. on October 20 in Hitchcock Hall 131. This public lecture is just one of bell hooks’ activities as a scholar-in-residence. Others include dialogues with john powell, executive director of the Kirwan Institute, meetings with small groups of faculty and students, class visits, and appearances at several campus events. Watch campus news and the Department of Women’s Studies Web site for more information.
john powell to Give Hale Center Lecture
With a keynote lecture on Friday, October 22, john powell, Kirwan Institute executive director, will kick off the second annual Authors, Conversation and Soul Food Luncheon series sponsored by the Office of Minority Affairs and the Hale Black Cultural Center at Ohio State. Lunch is scheduled for 11:30 with the presentation set for noon at the Hale Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. The Kirwan Institute is a co-sponsor of this event. Watch for more information soon.
Events Focus on Hurricane Katrina Aftermath
In a national Community and Resistance Tour surrounding the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Jordan Flaherty, New Orleans-based author of the new book Floodlines: Community and Resistance from Katrina to Jena 6, will be joined by Jesse Muhammad, of Final Call newspaper, to host two local discussions on Monday, September 20.
A lunch event will discuss the importance of independent media and their experiences covering the Jena Six case. It will be held from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave., Martin Luther King Jr. Lounge, Room 100-A.
An evening event will feature a community forum focused on the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the continued struggle for social justice in New Orleans and beyond, including what is happening right here in Columbus. It is set for 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the African American and African Studies Community Extension Center, 905 Mount Vernon Rd., in Columbus. More information.
For reservations, click here.
Unemployment Report Outlines Racial Disparities
While national unemployment hovers close to 10 percent, African American and Latino unemployment rates top 15 and 12 percent, respectively. Although these groups remain over-represented among both the unemployed and the long-term unemployed, they are at least 25 percent less likely than unemployed Whites to receive Unemployment benefits. The Kirwan Institute developed a July background report, Unemployment Insurance, the Recession and Race, which provides additional information on these challenges.
July Race-Recovery Index Shows Improved Trend
In July, non-white-owned businesses and women-owned businesses received a larger share of federal ARRA (Recovery Act) contracts than in previous months. However, 18-month totals still indicate non-white- and women-owned businesses are receiving a lower-than-proportional share of these federal contracts, according to the Race-Recovery Index, a monthly report released by the Kirwan Institute. To view the full report, including charts, see the August 2010 Race-Recovery Index. Additional information about the impact of the recovery on marginalized populations is also available at the Kirwan co-sponsored Web site fairrecovery.org.
Kirwan Maps Showcased at International Conference
Kirwan Institute maps received high visibility at the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) International Users Conference 2010 held July 12-16 at the San Diego Convention Center. The conference drew more than 12,000 participants from 140 countries. In addition to a presentation of the maps by Kirwan GIS Senior Research Associate Samir Gambhir, Kirwan maps also were showcased during the opening plenary session, displayed in the map gallery, and included in the Urban Landscape Map Display. Kirwan projects featured included the Build a Fair Florida Campaign, Ohio School Segregation, Montclair School Project, and the Massachusetts Opportunity Mapping Initiative, among others. The annual ESRI conference features the market leaders in GIS technologies with a suite of products ranging from desktop, to web and mobile solutions.
Leadership Programs Can Address Racial Inequities
A new report released by the Leadership Learning Community outlines how leadership programs can help solve racial inequalities in access to education, healthcare, income and wealth. It also points out that many current approaches to leadership development actually maintain and promote racial inequalities. How to Develop and Support Leadership that Contributes to Racial Justice was produced by thought leaders in the leadership development and racial equity fields, including Kirwan Institute executive director john powell. Read more.
Photographer Selected for National Exhibit
Abdi Roble, photographer for the Somali Documentary Project, a Kirwan Institute affiliate, is one of 18 photographers selected to exhibit their work in the Open Society Institute (OSI) Documentary Photography Project Moving Walls 18 exhibition. The exhibition will open on March 16, 2011, in the OSI New York City office and move to the Washington, D.C., office in November, 2011. The Moving Walls exhibition features in-depth and nuanced explorations of human rights and social issues. The Moving Walls 18 photographers join an illustrious roster of over 100 documentary photographers featured in the exhibition since 1998.
Conference offers Kirwan Network Discount
The Applied Research Center Facing Race conference in Chicago September 23-25, is offering Kirwan's network a special registration rate of $175 per person - a 50 percent discount. When you register at the $350 level, simply enter code 510 to get the 50 percent off.
Kirwan Institute Senior Researcher Jason Reece and Senior Research Associate Samir Gambhir will make a presentation at the conference on Friday, September 24, from 11:15-12:45 p.m. See a description of their presentation. Register here.
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