by Dan Yount | Editor-in-Chief June 27, 2024 June 26, 2024
• The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio released the 'State of Black Cincinnati: The Journey to Parity' report, highlighting racial disparities and recommending steps for achieving equity and parity.
• The report addresses economic, health, housing, education, and criminal justice disparities, emphasizing the urgent need for equitable policies and reforms.
• Survey results show some improvements in inclusivity and quality of life, but challenges in race relations persist.
The “State of Black Cincinnati: The Journey to Parity” report released June 19 by the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio comprehensively examines the disparities faced by Black residents in Cincinnati since it was last published in 2015. It provides a detailed analysis of the socio-economic challenges and systemic inequities that have persisted over the years and outlines the steps necessary to achieve parity.
The entire report is available at the Urban League’s website.
Join 6,000 other Cincinnatians and get News about the African Americans' Dreams and Hopes for our City!
“The ‘State of Black Cincinnati: The Journey to Parity’ is more than words on a page. It’s a call to action for the community, policymakers, and stakeholders to work collectively towards a more equitable and just Cincinnati. By addressing the systemic issues and implementing the recommended policies, Cincinnati can move closer to achieving true parity for all its residents,” wrote Candra Reeves, Project Manager, Urban League of Southwestern Ohio.
What the Urban League wants you to know
Cincinnati represents a microcosm of broader national issues related to racial disparities. The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio aims to disrupt generational poverty by addressing the complex factors contributing to it among Black Cincinnatians. The report highlights the interconnected aspects of the Black experience in Cincinnati and measures the impact of efforts made by the Urban League and its partners.
Economic Disparities
The report sheds light on significant economic disparities. In 2021, 35.6% of Cincinnati’s Black residents lived in poverty compared to 16.5% of White residents. The median household income for Black families was $31,520, significantly lower than the $70,909 for White families. The report emphasizes the importance of economic mobility and the need for equitable financial opportunities to build a thriving Black middle class.
Sign up for our free newsletters and receive exceptional Cincinnati African American community coverage in your inbox!
Even though it is encouraging that the unemployment rates are decreasing, the rate for White workers when compared to Black workers is significantly lower. The rate of unemployment for Black workers was still almost 100% higher than their White counterparts as of 2022.”
Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequities, with Black residents experiencing higher rates of infection and mortality. Economic repercussions were severe, with nearly 50% of Black respondents reporting financial struggles due to the pandemic. The pandemic highlighted the urgent need for healthcare equity and economic support for marginalized communities.
Housing Inequities
Housing disparities are a critical issue, with historical practices such as redlining continuing to affect Black residents disproportionately. The report highlights the high rates of eviction and foreclosure among Black residents and calls for increased affordable housing and equitable development policies to address these challenges.
According to the report, there was a disparity in the percentage of Black individuals who were approved for mortgage loans when compared to White individuals in 2020.
The League said the data revealed that in Cincinnati, 67% of White borrowers were approved for mortgage loans while only 17.5% of Black borrowers were approved.
In Hamilton County, Black individuals were being sued in over 50% of the eviction cases. White individuals only made up 37%.
Education Disparities
Educational attainment in Cincinnati is deeply divided along racial lines. Predominantly White neighborhoods have higher levels of education, while Black and mixed-race neighborhoods face significant challenges. The report calls for equitable access to quality education and resources to bridge this gap.
Criminal Justice and Policing
The report examines the disparities in the criminal justice system, with Black residents facing higher rates of incarceration and police interactions.
According to the League’s findings, since 1978, the incarceration rate for Black individuals in the state of Ohio has increased by 125%. In total, 15.8% of Ohio’s population are Black youth, but “approximately 56% of the Department of Youth Services’ juvenile population in 2018. The Collaborative Agreement of 2002 aimed to address these issues through transparency and community-oriented policing, but challenges remain. The report advocates for ongoing reforms and accountability to ensure justice and equity for all residents.
Health Disparities
Health disparities are stark, with Black residents having a lower life expectancy and higher rates of chronic conditions compared to White residents. The report stresses the importance of addressing social determinants of health and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.
Policy Recommendations
To achieve parity, the report outlines several policy recommendations, including:
“There wasn’t anything shocking in the data,” said Christie Kuhns, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. “What is surprising is just that we haven’t made as much progress. The best thing you can do is be informed.’’
Kuhns added, “When we talk about parity, we are referring to equality and fairness around access to resources, services and opportunities. As we think about the future of Cincinnati ensuring parity, it is essential to creating and maintaining a vibrant, thriving, future-forward community. This report is a call to action for city and community leaders to work together to address the challenges and barriers that prevent our city from being opportunity-inclusive for everyone.”
Survey results
The Urban League released a survey to Black Cincinnatians in 2015 and 2024 and compared findings. Here are the comparisons.
About the project manager
Candra Reeves, MPP, M.S. is an experienced researcher with strong analytical skills and experience in policy research, report writing, and program evaluation. As the Senior Director of Data & Analytics, she develops and enhances the systems necessary to gather internal and external organizational performance information. She then utilizes this information to assess, improve, and demonstrate organizational impact. She has a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Policy.
As an independent publication, we rely on contributions from readers like you to fund our journalism.
