Monthly Archives: October 2019

The League of Women Voters and Indiana University South Bends American Democracy Project invited municipal candidates to answer a series of questions at vote411.org. Today, The Tribune publishes unedited answers from the at-large candidates for South Bend Common Council. There are many other resources available to voters at vote411.org, including answers to more questions than we publish today. The candidates were told The Tribune would not edit their answers in any way. Any spelling or grammatical errors published here are the candidates own.

Amanda Jean Grove

Occupation: Caregiver for her mother

Twitter: @amandajeangrove

Davin Hackett

Occupation: Police officer/Air Force National Guard

Lori Hamann

Occupation: High school teacher

Rachel Tomas Morgan

Occupation: College professor and administrator

Karen White

Occupation: Retired college administrator

The outgoing mayor has argued that South Bend has transformed from (what some labeled) a dying city to one with robust development and population gain. Do you agree with this assessment of the past seven years? If so, what will you do to continue this progress? If not, why not, and what needs to be done differently?

Grove: I will say, Im in the middle on this question. I do not believe our city is a dying city, but I do not believe it is currently one with robust development and population gain. South Bend is a very different city since our Mayor took office 7 years ago, some good, some bad. It depends on how and what youre looking at. The city has been beautified in much of downtown, which is great and has brought more tourism into downtown, but many of our neighborhoods have been forgotten. Our corridors leading into downtown are also always a mess, with potholes deep enough to pop a tire. We have been using the same cheap asphalt to repair our roads for years, and unfortunately it doesnt last more than a couple of months. There are now much better options to fix our roads, and while they may be a bit more expensive, these options have been proven to last months or years.

Hackett: I believe that certain areas have benefited, but other areas have deteriorated. Until all of South Bend neighborhoods reflect the dream of every citizen we have not achieved that goal.

Hamann: South Bend has come a long way since 2011, and by any metric there is a lot to be proud of. The last few years have seen a revitalized downtown, investment in growing industries, and a spirit of optimism for the future. It could easily have turned out differently, so this should be celebrated. At the same time, I walk around the citys great neighborhoods, and I dont see the same change and growth. People are struggling to make it. They cant find a job with a living wage. They are struggling to afford the basic necessities of rent, food, clothing, and medicine. We need to lift these people so that they, too, can participate in the renaissance of this city.

Tomas Morgan: We all stand on the shoulders of giants. Where we are as a city today is because of the hard work and collective effort of previous mayors, neighborhood and business leaders, and members of Council over the decades. I will work hard, using all the tools available to me as a Council member, to build on the momentum of our citys economic development and ensure that it is inclusive, reaching across neighborhoods and all segments of our community.

White: The people of South Bend and the surrounding communities have heart, passion, and determination. When anyone tried to count South Bend out, we have proven that person wrong! (This includes being labeled a dying city). We have experienced robust development and population gain. I agree with the Mayors assessment of the past seven years up to a certain point. I have and will continue to stand on the premise that our city cannot be a great city without great neighborhoods. Our city cannot be a great city until all citizens are fully engaged. Our city cannot be a great city until all of our citizens voices are heard. It follows then, that it is imperative that we continue to address and align our resources to build strong inclusive neighborhoods with affordable housing, continue with job creation, and foster economic development for all. As well as create and foster better relationship with our police department city wide.

What, if anything, can the Common Council do to tackle the problems of poverty and homelessness in the city of South Bend?

Grove: As mentioned above, I would like to head up a housing project for our homeless. I believe that if we focus on economic development, it will help with the issues of poverty and homelessness. We need to focus on supporting our small businesses, as well as bringing in larger businesses, therefore creating more jobs. As for the housing project, ideally I would like to build a tiny house village, or apartment complex, where the residents will pay rent based on income. Ideally they would be given 3 months to find a job, which we will help them with (either by driving them to workone, helping them with their resume, or whatever else is necessary to help them succeed.) Again I am almost out of characters to fully explain this, but if you have any questions about this project, please ask. I will be trying to do this whether I am elected, or not.

Hackett: As a Common Council member, we should be attracting businesses. We also should be promoting small businesses in our local community. Once we have equitable employment for all we can drive out poverty.

Hamann: I have been and will continue to be a strong advocate for the homeless. There is a myriad of reasons why someone ends up on the streets, and we need to do all we can to help them. It is imperative for us to establish a fully-funded day center where the homeless can have access to all available services and which provides shelter if needed. Additionally, more housing is needed for those currently living on the streets. Homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked. My wage policy will address many of the issues around poverty.

Tomas Morgan: Through my work at Notre Dame, I teach on themes of global poverty and development. I partner with organizations around the world, helping to resource and build their capacity to address the problems that affect their communities. Solutions to tackle poverty must be local and come from the very people effected to give voice and agency. Poverty, and homelessness as a symptom of poverty, is multi-faceted and requires multi-faceted approaches that address economic, social, political, and cultural dimensions of the human person for effective poverty eradication. Furthermore, if we understand poverty in terms of deprivations and disparities, than the role of municipal government is to use all financial and legislative tools available partnering creatively to tackle deprivations in education, health, housing; to incentivize and generate employment; and to further address inequalities in freedoms and opportunities for the poor to achieve economic security and social inclusion.

White: The Common Council and the administration are working together to address the problems of poverty and homelessness in our city. Clearly there is need for permanent support housing for the chronically homeless. Including the creation of a social service system to support long-term drug addiction and mental health needs. The Racial Divide Initiative at Prosperity Now in partnership with the City of South Bend developed a profile to analyze how racial economic inequality affects South Bend. The findings were not encouraging for communities of color. We must develop strategies to strengthen our economy for all our residents. The Racial Wealth Divide report also stated that the racial economic inequality must be at the forefront of our economic development plan. The success of our community is directly related to the financial stability of our citizen for all our citizens. Key challenges are economic development and household income in our low-income neighborhoods.

Is the city doing enough to reduce youth- and gang -related gun violence, and if not, what should the city try?

Grove: No, I personally dont believe we are doing enough... This question comes right back to the issue of being short on police officers. We need to have more officers patrolling our neighborhoods, as well as downtown. This also comes back to my economic development view, which suggests that bringing in more jobs will curb the violence. The detox center is another answer. I do apologize for being repetitive here, but I firmly believe that if we find solutions for our unemployment and drug issues, there will be a significant drop in violence. People will be clean from drugs, and employed, so they wont feel the need to burglarize homes and businesses, or even kill for drugs and valuables. We also need to implement more mentoring programs for our youth so they will feel less need to be affiliated with gangs and other violence based organizations.

Hackett: No, we are not. I was a South Bend Police Officer for 11 years. Crime has risen since I have left. To reduce youth-related crime we have to engage with them in school. We have to have a plan B or C for them. If college is not right for them, then we need trade schools for them.

Hamann: Statistics may indicate that violent crime is down in the city. However, it is also true that the current crime rate is unacceptable. Moreover, while numbers may say one thing, peoples perceptions of safety in South Bend matter deeply. And the perception is that the crime rate is high. A way to address the perceived lack of safety may be with an increased police presence in the downtown. I would continue to focus on and actually strengthen the community policing which has garnered positive results in multiple cities. Youth programs which teach conflict management and peaceful resolution have been very successful. It is also true that a lack of resources creates inferior educational opportunities for households in poverty. Families mired in poverty tend to fall into self-fulfilling prophecies regarding their future. They become discouraged by the lack of economic opportunity, choosing instead to fight for themselves.

Tomas Morgan: City leaders at all levels need to understand the depth and breadth of the public safety problem, strategies and practices in other communities, and what has worked and hasnt in our own community. There are no magic programs to pull us out of this problem. There are talented and committed leaders throughout our community who must have support to help address this problem.

The City needs to stay committed to the Group Violence Intervention and remain engaged with the National Network for Safe Communities and other networks through which we can share best practices to promote safety. The Council should continue funding in multiple departments promoting outreach and intervention to youth and young men at risk. Elected officials must support best practices in policing by providing the necessary funding, and by being present at events which strengthen relationships between police and community.

White: Gun violence is an urgent, complex, and multifaceted public health issue. Violence anywhere in our city affects all of our city. We must address this urgent issue from a community perspective. The lost of one life to gun violence is unacceptable. As we have experienced a rise in crime this year, specifically in murders and aggravated assaults compared to this time last additional resources, collaboration and intentional focus on this issue is needed. With the increase in violence more resources are needed. We must develop comprehensive programs in collaboration with residents, businesses, educational institutions, our police department, community stakeholders, and social services to broaden the discussion regarding violence. There is a need to expand programs such as GVI, SAVE and other preventive and intervention programs Solutions to gun violence must take into account the effects of law enforcement, poverty, and mass incarceration on communities of color just to name a few.

The recent fatal shooting of a black suspect by a white police officer, along with continued allegations of officers engaged in racist conversations on the so-called police tapes, have sparked increased conversation about mistrust between local police and minority communities. What must be done to improve those relationships?

Grove: Its sad that in todays world, theres still racism. Unfortunately, there will always be some form of racism, bigotry, etc. and its difficult to change minds when thats how people are raised.

However, these practices are unacceptable in any type of public servant. Police, fire, government employees, etc. are held to the responsibility that we need to take care of everyone, not just our own. It shouldnt be acceptable in anyone, but especially our public servants, who serve the people.

As a member of the common council, if Im elected, I promise transparency, and I would want to be on the committee to investigate allegations such as these. I will do my best to lead by example in this sense... ONE city. ONE people. ALL voices. South Bend should not be all about one race, political party, or sexual orientation. We are all human. We all bleed the same blood.

I only have 1,000 characters to answer this question. You could give me 10,000 and I still wouldnt be finished. Theres SO

Hackett: For the police tapes issue, fire everyone involved and take legal action against everyone involved. As for the officer-involved shooting, I can not speak about the incident because I may be called in to testify.

Hamann: This and all seemingly senseless deaths should sadden us all. There is a great deal of conversation around a focus on diversity hires within the police department. We should be cognizant of the latest research which state clearly that police department culture has more to do with white on black and black on black violence. Not that I think department diversity is a bad thing but it is certainly not a cure all. Our police department should attend cultural training and their should be a strong push toward development of neighborhood relationships and structured activities within these neighborhoods for the police to interact with local residents and local teens.

Tomas Morgan: Relationships take time and they take commitment. We all know this. As difficult as it is to measure, City and law enforcement leaders need to clearly prioritize building trust with community, and community leaders and community members must create specific, active ways to engage police officers. We must learn from the many other communities who are struggling with this, and seek to implement effective strategies for increasing communication and meaningful interaction.

Recruiting a new, diverse generation of officers into the police force could accelerate the building of relationships of trust in many sectors of our community. Visibly strengthening our accountability mechanisms such as the Board of Public Safety and simultaneously making them more visible and transparent would be signs of good faith on the part of the City which could help officers to develop community relationships.

White: The recent fatal shooting of a black suspect by a white police officer has challenged our city as never before. Coupled with the police tapes and allegations of racist conversations by some officers. Our city has acknowledged that significant work lies ahead in order to build trust between local police and communities of color. The concerns over implicit bias and the use of body cameras became a point of debate and the public outcry for justice. In response, the city has hosted a number of public safety meetings to foster input as well as, to listen to our residents concerns and recommendations. Much still remains. Discussions about implicit bias, recruitment and retention of minority officers, police-community relationships community policing initiatives, to accountability measures must continue. Public Safety must be one of our top priorities moving forward. We must stop the damaging cycle of violence and hardship in our communities by treating the root of the problem

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Where they stand: South Bend at-large council candidates share their views on the issues - South Bend Tribune

The influence of a younger generation of philanthropists on U.S. family foundations is moving these charitable organizations into more intentional, issue-focused giving and has led to greater diversity in governing boards, according to the Trends 2020 study from the National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) released on Wednesday morning.

The study, conducted in collaboration with Bank of America which also provided fundingshowed that 70% of family foundations today were established since 1990, a striking fact thats influencing foundation governance, grant-making, and investing, says Virginia Esposito, NCFP founder and president.

Even family foundations that were founded before 1990 are including younger voices on their boards and in decision-making. The study found more than half have multiple generations serving on the board, while about 10% have three or more generations. They are also adding more voices to reflect the communities they serve, with 35% including at least one person of color, and 11% including at least one member of the LGBTQ community.

Also significant: mission and impact investing has doubled since the first survey was conducted in 2015. That includes program-related investments made as part of a foundations annual required payout of 5% of the value of their net investment assets, as well as impact investments made from the foundations endowment itself.

Youre talking about a doubling of the number of family foundations that are using new practices with a whole lot more ready to either institute them or expand them, Esposito says.

The study is based on a random, statistically significant sample of more than 500 family foundations with assets of at least $2 million or annual giving of at least $100,000.

The overall results are useful for peer-to-peer learning, providing a context for family donors, to try some of these alternative ideas of practices on for size and to determine what works best for them, says Claire Costello, managing director of Bank of America Private Banks Philanthropic Solutions Group. Often they dont have this broader context to see what others are doingit tends to be an insular practice.

Among several findings, the study found that family foundations today are giving fewer grants per year, but those grants are larger in size. They are also shifting toward giving more multi-year grants, and grants that support general operating expenses or provide capacity building funds, which help organizations strengthen their systems and operations.

This reflects the personal nature of the family philanthropy and the fact that they identify grantees whose values and vision and priorities they share, and theyre willing to invest in them, Esposito says. This may be why you are seeing less of a whole lot of small grants and people beginning to be more thoughtful and perhaps more generous in significant contributions.

When Armando Castellano and his sisters, Carmela Castellano-Garcia and Maria West, became involved in the foundation their parents, Alcario and Carmen, set up shortly after winning a $141 million California lottery jackpot in 2001, they, working with their parents, narrowed their focus to three issues: arts and culture, leadership development, and education, primarily focused on the Latino community in Santa Clara, Calif., where they grew up.

The second generation also shifted from making grants toward one-off programs and events to providing multi-year grants for general operations, Castellano says.

Its very hard for organizations of color, especially, to get general operations money, he says. Theres a distinct difference of the amount and the ability and access to the philanthropy as people and the dollars. Even larger ones that have been around a long time.

That the Castellano family remains focused on their home county is common especially for more established foundations, but the shift to a focus on a specific set of issues reflects a common generational shift, one that earlier research by the NCFP had noted.

Even of those [foundations] that are place-based, 95% are issue-based within the geography, Esposito says. Were seeing families more likely to not only build off of a sense of goodwill and shared purpose, but to the coming around of some issues that they can commit to over a longer period of time.

The study released Wednesday found that 82% of family foundations formed since 2010 are shifting their focus from giving in the specific geographic region where they are based to giving to issues that matter to them as a family. Only 40% of foundations created before 1970 have an issue focus.

People are making money these days in a global economy, so the notion of a hometown where the familys business was nurtured, where the family prospered, where they want [the foundation] to thank employees and customersthat kind of economy has been changing and people have become more issue focused, Esposito says.

The areas of concern for families, however, is shifting. While education remains a top issue for 38% of families surveyed, its only cited as the number one focus area for 23% of family foundations founded since 2010. Also, only 28% of family foundations established before 1970 put poverty at the top of their list of concerns, compared with 64% of the newest foundations, the study found. Among new foundations, economic opportunity was cited by 41%.

Eleanor Frey Zagel, vice chairman of the Frey Foundation in Grand Rapid, Mich., led her third-generation family members into an exploration of how they could support the homeless in Grand Rapids, and also in northern Michigan countiesareas facing very different dynamics.

They started late last year with a call for innovative ideas to accelerate access to sustainable, quality housing opportunities in Kent County, where Grand Rapids is located, ultimately awarding a $150,000 Housing Innovation Award to the Inner City Christian Federation.

While this approach to identifying a grantee was different to anything the Frey Foundation had done previously, Zagel says their efforts to improve housing and security for the community grew out of roots planted by the second generations focus on making an impact. They just have different tools at their disposal today, she says. Were moving the needle differently.

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Family Foundations Today Want to Make an Impact - Barron's

Photo Credit: Yonatan Sindel / Flash 90

{Written by Adina Shmidman and originally posted to the JNS website}

The essence of Simchat Torah is the completion of the reading of the Torah scroll, and the joy and celebration that naturally ensues from the annual culmination of the Torah-reading cycle. Because of the traditional means of celebration, womens participation has historically been more passive rather than active, which leaves synagogues with the challenge of how to include women in the full observance of the day.

Simchat Torah presents the perfect opportunity to highlight programming that addresses needs and introduces new norms, all within the parameters of Orthodoxy. Building authentic moments is the goal with the ability to inspire individuals.

Several years ago, a colleague and I were discussing this exact issue: how to create meaningful opportunities for women on Simchat Torah morning. She shared with me that in her synagogue, when the men were being called to the Torah, the women gathered together to learn Torah. It struck me that to celebrate the Torah through study is a true fulfillment of the essence of Simchat Torah.

We started the Simchat Torah morning lesson (shiur) at Lower Merion Synagogue outside of Philadelphia and, as the years went by, the idea caught on and more women attended. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Seeing how well-received this idea was in the synagogue, it was a natural decision for the Orthodox Union Womens Initiative to launch the program on a national level.

As a national program, the details are intentional and speak to our greater mission. The program is more than just a series of classes on Simchat Torah morning in individual synagogues. Highlighting local female scholars is a chance for communities to appreciate the some of the talent in their midst. Each woman comes with her own voice and Torah knowledge to share with others who are looking for inspiration and connection.

This is our second year running the program, and more than 40 synagogues around the country now are participating, elevating the holiday experience for women.

Women are coming forward and asking for these opportunities; women are offering to teach Torah; and, significantly, synagogue leadership is helping to create the space for this. And it is more than simply about Simchat Torah. Communities across the country are looking for more engaging learning from a variety of texts for women; they are searching for opportunities for growth and inspiration for women at all phases and stages.

The call to action is national, yet the action itself is local.

We are hopeful that womens learning, joy and celebration on Simchat Torah will become the North American communal norm of every synagogue, and that this momentum will extend throughout the year.

Dr. Adina Shmidman is the founding director of the Orthodox Unions Womens Initiative and rebbetzin of the Lower Merion Synagogue in Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

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Making a Meaningful Morning for Women on Simchat Torah - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com

City

Rapid social change and Midtown Village development are encroaching on Philadelphias LGBTQ mecca. Should we mourn its loss or embrace its evolution?

Is this the end of PhillysGayborhood? Illustration by Matt Harrison Clough

It was around one oclock in the morning, and I was standing in a long line of mostly straight Penn alumni waiting to enter Voyeur Nightclub. It was a drunk former classmate at least, I hope he was drunk who said it: Isnt this where the fags go?

The occasion was the official after-party for my five-year college reunion, which was held at one of the most popular dance parties in the Gayborhood. The reunion committees idea had been innocent enough: Given that most other clubs in Philly shut down at 2 a.m., why not venture where we could let the good times roll until 3:30?

But once we were inside, all of us, gay and straight, saw things we werent expecting. It wasnt long, for example, before visibly uncomfortable alumni were side-eyeing transgender women going to get drinks at the bar. For me, it was a sea of straight women cheering on a sash-wearing bride-to-be and refusing to share space on one of the dance floors on which I had spent so much time growing comfortable with my own identity. Worse, the racial segregation was unmistakable: Black and brown attendees were packed in a smaller upstairs lounge that was pumping out hip-hop hits, while the main floor was predominantly white, with a DJ spinning mostly dance/techno pop music.

There goes the neighborhood, I thought as the last illusion I had of this part of the city as an inclusive yet uniquely gay space dissolved before my eyes.

Over the past few years, the death of the Gayborhood a phrase once uttered in mock horror whenever a favorite hangout changed hands or a well-known institution screwed up has taken on an air of inevitability. The areas legendary staples, 12th Street Gym and More Than Just Ice Cream, are no more. Two popular Gayborhood bars, Venture Inn and ICandy, have closed down, and Voyeur and Woodys have tried to broaden their customer base by hosting bachelorette parties, exotic male revue shows for women, and even NFL watch parties. Mazzoni, the citys leading LGBTQ health-care center, relocated and lost its executive director and senior management amid staff turmoil. Franny Price, the veteran producer of Philly Pride one of the countrys largest annual gay celebrations is stepping down after more than 25 years, with no successor in sight.

Coloring all of this loss are a host of gentrification and diversity issues with which the citys LGBTQ community has only recently begun to grapple. Yet in the wider Philadelphia culture, LGBTQ representation and acceptance are at an all-time high. We saw this in the political arena in 2018, when two openly gay black candidates, Malcolm Kenyatta and Alex Deering, competed for a state House seat in the 181st District a section of North Philadelphia thats both geographically and economically distant from the Gayborhood. (Kenyatta would go on to win, joining Gayborhood-area Representative Brian Sims as the states only two openly gay legislators.) Then, in 2019, five openly LGBTQ candidates ran in the City Council primary.

Citywide, LGBTQ visibility is similarly increasing in the cultural realm: Large-scale LGBTQ-themed events have moved beyond the traditional Pride weekend in June and Outfest in October, and many former Gayborhood event producers and performers are booking venues throughout the city. For many Philadelphians, the Gayborhood is no longer the sole place for an LGBTQ experience, but just another option in a growing field of inclusive alternatives.

During this 50th anniversary year of the Stonewall riots in New York, which brought the gay rights movement in the U.S. to mainstream attention, members of Phillys LGBTQ community are reflecting some wistfully, some critically on what the Gayborhood means today, and wondering whether theres really anything left to be lost by venturing outside the neighborhoods now-fading rainbow-painted crosswalks.

In the 1950s, Center City in the vicinity of 13th and Locust streets, which we now call the Gayborhood, was known as the Locust Strip a red-light district full of strip and hustler bars, some of which catered to a gay clientele. The Strip also had another, more disparaging name the gay ghetto but at a time when people who frequented gay-oriented businesses faced public scrutiny and harassment, it was a lifeline. Even before Stonewall, says Franny Price, who has lived in the city for 62 years, the gay ghetto was an area where we LGBT people had a sense of belonging.

When the gay bars and shops were lumped in with the undesirable elements of the 60s and 70s and threatened with police raids, the attacks had the effect of galvanizing the community, says Bob Skiba, a Gayborhood historian and curator. Gays formed a business association and a neighborhood watch to police their own territories.

In the wake of extensive civil rights work by LGBTQ activists around the country in the 1970s and during the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, the openly gay character of the neighborhood was firmly entrenched by the time City Paper editor and columnist David Warner described an Outfest celebration as a beautiful day in the gayborhood in the early 1990s. By 1999, the term Warner had coined was appearing on maps, and developer interest soon stoked a rapid revitalization that would turn the area from a collection of bars and niche businesses into a hot spot filled with high-end restaurants and retailers.

City institutions played their own large roles in the Gayborhoods growth. In 2003, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, now known as Visit Philadelphia, launched a hugely successful campaign inviting potential visitors to Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay. Three years later, then-mayor John Street demarcated the neighborhood with 36 rainbow-striped street signs (there are now nearly twice as many) so LGBTQ visitors and residents could identify it as a safe and welcoming place.

Despite this official gay-forward posture, market forces were already starting to weaken the Gayborhoods identity. An early-2000s effort by developer Tony Goldman to rechristen the 13th Street corridor as Blocks Below Broad, or B3, mercifully never caught on. But a more recent developer appellation, Midtown Village, now threatens to subsume the Gayborhood entirely. It first began appearing on tourist maps as Midtown Village in Philadelphias Gayborhood, says Skiba. Next, maps showed two separate areas Midtown Village to the north and the Gayborhood to the south. This year, Ive seen maps showing only Midtown Village, with text mentioning the Gayborhood, a part of Midtown Village.

The businesses underneath those pride-inspired street signs are undeniably getting straighter. And while some observers would suggest that the change is a natural consequence of widespread LGBTQ acceptance, others argue its a painful sign of gentrification thats erasing the identity, culture, and intersection of racial and gender diversity within the Gayborhood.

Our community continually grows more divided and diluted, says Zach Wilcha, executive director of the Independence Business Alliance, an association of LGBTQ business owners. As more straight-identified folks and businesses move within the Gayborhood, LGBTQ identity of that space becomes diluted.

Whats been particularly challenging to witness over the years is not just the loss of LGBTQ businesses, spaces and organizations, but the loss of a larger sense of culture and community, says Amber Hikes, the former executive director of the citys Office of LGBT Affairs. We see this in cities around the world, but Philadelphias density allows us to feel the sting of gentrification in a unique way.

The Gayborhood has changed along with all of Center City, counters Valerie Safran, who with her partner, Marcie Turney, owns Barbuzzo, Bud & Marilyns, and several other popular restaurants and retail shops in the neighborhood. I remember a time when 13th Street between Spruce and Locust was a little sketchy late at night lots of drugs and prostitution.

While many in the Gayborhood bemoan its decline due to straight residents gentrifying the area, Turney has a different outlook. The world has changed, she says. I dont want to separate people out based on anything. Were welcoming everyone here.

It was Visit Philadelphias marketing that made me consider Philly as a place to live when I was applying to colleges on the East Coast a decade ago. I grew up in Texas, where LGBTQ rights and safe spaces were either rare or nonexistent, and from the outside, Philly seemed to have its act together in terms of drawing a diverse crowd of people to a majority-minority city that also embraced LGBTQ people. But in living here, Ive learned that what was depicted in those travel ads wasnt telling the full story.

As a freshman in college, I reveled in the queerest place I had ever been, too wrapped up in the excitement of my own coming-out to notice any of the undercurrents of change in the neighborhood. But my time at Penn coincided with one of the first dominoes to fall: the 2013 closure of Sisters, a landmark lesbian bar that had evolved into a truly intersectional space embracing people of all identities.

It was then that I really began to feel the vibe shifting. Our drag shows became brunch/dinner parties for straight people who were new fans of the hit TV show RuPauls Drag Race. Our queer nightclub go-go dancers became eye candy for straight women at their bachelorette parties. Our beloved Pride flag and rainbow crossroads became Instagram-worthy snaps completely divorced from any appreciation for the people whod had to fight to make them happen. The Gayborhood stopped being a neighborhood in which the most marginalized could find and be themselves and started to feel more like a tourist attraction for cultural voyeurs.

Around this time, two national movements Black Lives Matter, spearheaded by queer black women, and the fight for marriage equality, upheld by the Supreme Court in 2015 awakened my social consciousness. By then, I was a young journalist covering the community, and I began to notice ownership and leadership disparities at Gayborhood spaces, which were led predominantly by cisgender white men despite the notable role that people of color across the gender spectrum played in shaping the areas history.

Others had, of course, seen this before I did. Longtime community activist Michael Hinson, the citys LGBT liaison under Mayor Street, had advocated for more inclusive policies within the citys LGBTQ community as the Gayborhood grew in commercial prominence. While some initiatives, such as increased funding for LGBTQ nonprofits, improved due to the Gayborhoods newfound viability, he says there were unintended consequences that began to overshadow the progress.

Generally speaking, the Gayborhood has benefited from years of public- and private-sector attention, creativity and resources, thanks to high-end housing, the Avenue of the Arts, shopping, restaurants, and coffee and other specialty shops, Hinson says. Along with these benefits, we have, unfortunately, seen the displacement of social and other safe places for some communities, including the homeless, transgender individuals, young people of all backgrounds, and communities of color.

It got to the point where I could no longer ignore the tragic irony of the Gayborhood: Formerly marginalized LGBTQ people were still marginalizing some of their own in the one place that was supposed to be safe for all of us.

I stopped going out to the Gayborhood on weekends after being told about impromptu dress codes at nightclubs that never seemed to apply to the white guys in the line. Then, in 2016, Darryl DePiano, the owner of the now-closed ICandy nightclub, referred to a black former employee as a nigger repeatedly on video. The resulting controversy served as vindication for LGBTQ community members of color who had long been raising concerns about racism in the Gayborhood. The offensive video and the uncovering of several incidents of racial profiling and discrimination at Gayborhood bars and nonprofits prompted LGBTQ activist groups to boycott and protest these institutions, which in turn prompted additional business and leadership turnover.

Over the past year, Ive felt that finding authentic and intentional LGBTQ experiences outside of the Gayborhood was a necessity, but one thats been easier than I expected. Diverse queer house parties have popped up in West Philly, out indie artists are performing in South Philly, and theres no shortage of LGBTQ networking events around Fishtown. But for some people, adjusting to the idea that LGBTQ life and perhaps even a better, more modern and inclusive version of it exists away from the Gayborhood is bittersweet.

I had hoped that the Gayborhood would stay a safe place, but I dont think it is anymore, says Matthew Beierschmitt, a longtime Gayborhood DJ and community advocate. But I still think we need to find a way to rely on each other like we used to and keep fighting for all of us, not just some of us, inside and outside the Gayborhood.

We have to face the fact that queers create great and impactful culture and communities, and that non-queers then want to participate in and even steal that culture, says Chris Bartlett, executive director of the William Way LGBT Community Center and a longtime Gayborhood resident. We saw that during the Harlem Renaissance, during the Pansy Craze of the 1930s with the commodification of black ballroom culture, and now in mainstream culture from Broadway to Netflix. I believe that by the time our culture is commodified by the mainstream, we move on and create new and even more exciting cultural projects.

Its that thought, I believe, that we need to embrace: Every time weve lost control of something that was ours, weve regrouped and blazed a different path. Its time to cast one last backward glance at the Gayborhood that launched Phillys robust LGBTQ culture, take a deep breath, and move on.

Published as There Goes the Gayborhood in the October 2019 issue of Philadelphia magazine.

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There Goes the Gayborhood - Philadelphia magazine

Partnership to Help Close Citys Opportunity Gap Through Literacy Initiative

Bright by Text, a national text messaging service for parents and caregivers of young children, has joined forces with Denvers Road to Reading partnership to help increase the citys literacy rate. As part of this initiative, Bright by Text will customize messages by age and ZIP code, sending information to parents in hard-to-reach neighborhoods about free community events, along with tips on early literacy and school readiness.

Aimed at parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to age eight, Bright by Text delivers tailored content in English and Spanish to more than 60,000 subscribers nationwide. All messaging is evidence-based, expert content from trusted partners, such as PBS KIDS, PBS Learning Media, Sesame Street in Communities and Vroom. The tips and information help nurture the parent-child relationship, build strong families, promote healthy childhood development and encourage school readiness.

Early literacy isa key contributor to early academic success for our children, Denver MayorMichael B. Hancock said. Denver continues to create intentional and impactfulpartnerships like this to support the early learning needs of our families and ouryoungest learners were all working toward the same goal, which is to ensureour kids experience academic success, and that starts at birth.

A partnership of Denvers Office of Childrens Affairs, Denver Human Services, Denver Public Schools, Denver Public Library, Childrens Museum of Denver, and Mile High United Way, Road to Reading aims to make Denver the nations most literate city. The partnership follows theBirth to Eight Roadmap, which seeks to improve outcomes and close opportunity gaps amongst the citys youngest learners.

The Roadmap aims to help families living in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty including College View, Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, Montbello, Sun Valley and Westwood find the support they need to ensure their children reach their developmental potential and succeed in school and life, starting with early language and literacy. The Roadmap is grounded in the collective educational vision of Denver Public Schools Denver Plan 2020, Mayor Michael B. Hancocks Five Goals for Youth and the Early Childhood Colorado Framework.

We are thrilled topartner with Road to Reading to help Denver families, said Jean McSpadden, Presidentand CEO of Bright by Text. Our goal is to help parents feel less overwhelmed, andinstead feel confident that they are actively supporting their childs healthydevelopment. A key factor in whole-child wellness is early literacy skills.

To sign up to receive Bright by Text messages,parents and caregivers can text either R2RDENVER to 274448, then select theirpreference of English or Spanish. Families can also sign up online at brightbytext.org/web_signup.

Excerpt from:

Bright by Text Partners with Denver's Road to Reading - The Know

Residential colleges are a core component of Vanderbilts FutureVU initiative, but some students have questioned whether the new living spaces actually create active and engaged communities, noting feelings of isolation in the new dorms.

The residential colleges were initially meant to address issues of self-segregation among the student population at Vanderbilt, according to Senior Director of Housing Operations Jim Kramka.

One thing that the university noticed was that Vanderbilt undergraduates self-segregated in various ways, Kramka said. That was not consistent with the university Vanderbilt wanted to be or wants to be.

Vanderbilt began the Residential College project in 2012 when the university broke ground on Warren and Moore Colleges. The initiative was inspired by the success of the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, which first opened its doors in 2008.

In 2016, two years after the completion of Warren and Moore Colleges, Vanderbilt continued its expansion of the residential college system by beginning the construction of E. Bronson Ingram College (EBI). EBI was officially opened to students in fall 2018, and construction of a third residential college is currently underway.

According to Kramka, different housing patterns have emerged within subsects of the student population. Students involved in Greek life often chose to live in Branscomb or Towers suites, while other students were dispersed elsewhere on campus. The upper class residential college system was developed to intentionally bring these students together in diverse communities.

I would never want a single in Kissam or EBI, because people say that it is very isolating and quiet, junior Jenny Pigge said.

This sentiment was echoed by Kayla Bach, a sophomore EBI resident.

Im in a suite with three of my friends, which is so nice, but I do think if I was in a single or a double it would be different just because its so quiet, Bach said. In EBI, everyone keeps their door closed, and the halls are always quiet. You kind of have to know people and plan to go to their room versus just walking out and meeting people.

Mattigan KellyThe front of Branscomb, a dormitory built in 1962 that is described as loud, social dorm that is a popular choice for students in Greek life. (Photo by Mattigan Kelly)

The residential colleges are intended to diffuse the effects of student self-segregation, but it is possible that self-selection continues to play a role in this new student experience. According to Bach, many freshmen in Greek life did not even apply to the residential colleges because they wanted to live with their friends in Branscomb.

One student chose to leave the residential colleges due to its detached environment.

I left Kissam to become an RA, but my reason for leaving was also mostly social, former Warren resident Douglas Finnegan said. I had a hard time engaging with people in the common room, and people always kept their doors shut. It seemed like people werent looking to make new friends.

Finnegan is now a resident adviser in Branscomb. In his experience, the atmosphere in Branscomb is opposite that of the residential colleges, as it provides a loud, social environment that fosters new friendships and connections.

While some students find the residential colleges to be lacking in community and connection, others have enjoyed their time in the new dorms.

I think that theyve been very intentional by allowing for facilities that can help build community and have better programming, Warren College RA Dallas Wilson said. I dont think the top-down approach is going to be successful though, where people from the top say This is what the students need.

EBI RA Amaya Allen said that shes had an amazing experience in the residential college and thinks that students are beginning to create a sense of culture in EBI. For Allen, the residential college was essential in transitioning out of living on Commons.

For the first time, I felt like I had a base, and it was almost ripped right out from under me, Allen said. Res colleges stepped up and helped me build a new one, and for that Im very appreciative.

One student expressed that he didnt mind the quiet nature of the residential colleges. Moore resident Carson Fallon said that in the beginning of the year, the separation from friends in Branscomb felt more prominent, but the distance has become a positive of living in Moore.

Its nice to come back home to something thats more calm, Fallon said.

While Fallon said he felt connected with people on his floor, he thought that Residential Education programming events felt forced.

We are in an early phase of the residential college system and how to work with the facilities, and again, this is where we have to learn from students, Kramka said. We must ask What is it about the residential colleges that might make you feel isolated?

Kramka was optimistic about the future of the residential colleges and believed that students would eventually develop intentional uses for the various spaces in the new buildings.

Those patterns and uses have not yet been established by the students themselves, said Kramka. This will take time.

Read more here:

The residential colleges: progress or problem? - The Vanderbilt Hustler

Hate crimes are intended to divide. They target individuals to sow fear among certain communities, be they LGBTQ people, Black Americans or immigrants. The last three years have seen an unprecedented rise in hate groups and extremists, as they are emboldened to make their messages more public and plan violent attacks, using the relative anonymity of social media.

But hate crimes can also have the unintended consequence of bringing people together to affect change.

InOxygensnew special, Uncovered: KilledByHate,the harrowing stories of some of the worst hate crimes in our countrys recent memory will be told, graphically and powerfully. But viewers will also meet survivors, including family members, intended victims and advocates who rose above the hate and worked to further protect marginalized communities.

1998: Ground ZeroForFederal Hate Crime Law

Violence, hatred and tribalism are in the DNA ofour countrys history with lynchings, church bombings and the brutalization of the gay community being recent examples. However, the concept of a hate crime as something that can be categorized and legislated against only came out from journalistic language and congressional debate into the public consciousness in one crucial year.

On June 7, 1998,James Byrd, Jr.,a49-year-old black man, was walking down a road in Jasper, Texas, when he was offered a ride by three white men. Byrd accepted, but was brought to a remote, wooded area and attacked,according toCNN. Hewas beaten. His face was spray-painted and his attackers John William King, 23, Lawrence Russell Brewer, 31, and Shawn Allen Berry, 23 even defecated on him,according toInside Edition.

And Byrdsordeal was only beginning. The three men two of whom wereopen white supremacists tied him by his ankles to their pickup truck with a 24-foot length of logging chain and dragged him for three and a half miles, until his body literally came apart.

Byrd was alive for much of the dragging,detailedincourt documents, until the moment his head and right arm were torn off when his body hit a culvert. A forensic pathologist testified at trial that Byrds cheek, buttocks and toes were ground down to the bone injuries he wasalmost certainly alive and conscious for, given evidence that he was trying to hold his head above the ground throughout the ordeal.

All three were convicted after five days of testimony and two and a half hours of jury deliberations, according toThe Washington Post. Brewer and King who had beenmost exalted cyclops of the Confederate Knights of America received the death penalty. Berry was sentenced to life.

Months later, on Oct. 6, Matthew Shepard, 22, was approached in a Laramie, Wyoming, bar by two men who thought the5-foot-2gay student would be an easy target for robbery.Aaron McKinney and Russell Hendersonlured Shepard into their truck and drove him out to a remote area at the edge of town, according to theBBC.

They pistol-whipped Shepard inside the truckwith a .357 Magnum, then tiedhim to a log fence with a clothesline and continued pistol-whipping him before leaving him bleeding, in near-freezing temperatures, where hed hang for 18 hours until a passing bicyclist found him. Albany County Sheriff Dave OMalley would later compare Shepards injuries to those hed seen in high-speed car crashes.

Shepard would die six days later of his injuries, with his parents, Judy and Dennis by his side. Henderson and McKinney were convicted of first-degree murder, and both got two consecutive life sentences, according toCNN. They would not face hate crime charges because nothing in Wyoming or federal law covered those offenses. The public outrage over Shepards torture and murder, however, quickly spread nationally, and quickly got the attention ofpresident Bill Clinton, who would condemn it andpress for new hate crime legislation.

Still, the road to progress would be long.

Not until 2009, two presidential administrations later, would the federal hate crimes bill bearing both Shepard and Byrds names be signed intolaw. President Barack Obama, joined by James Byrdssisters,LouvonHarris and Betty ByrdBoatner, and Matthew Shepards mom, Judy, signed the Matthew Shepard James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act on Oct. 28, 2009, according to theNew York Times.

This is the culmination of a struggle that has lasted more than a decade, Obamasaid. Time and again, we faced opposition. Time and again, the measurewasdefeated or delayed. Time and again, weve been reminded of the difficulty of building a nation in which were all free to live and love as we see fit.

Thebilladded a persons sexuality, gender identity or disability under the federal definition of hatecrime, andgave federal prosecutors greater ability to go after alleged hate crimes that local authorities did not.

The bill facedpastRepublican opposition including a threat by President George W. Bush to veto it and thus was tacked onto a defense bill, according toFox News.

Judy and Dennis Shepard maintained this year that the country still has miles to go toward protecting the LGBTQ community.LGBTQ advocacy groupHuman Rights Campaignsaid that so far in 2019, 19 transgender people have been killed, and that more stringent hate crime reporting is needed, as well as local laws to protect vulnerable communities where the feds may fail.

The HeatherHeyerFoundation andBlazin It Forward

Two notorious recent hate crimes claiming young, promising lives have resulted in families springing into action to combat hate.

Whena neo-Nazi rammed his car into a crowd of people protesting a white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 12, 2017, 35 people were injured, according to theWashington Post, and activist HeatherHeyer, 32, lost her life.

James Fields Jr., 21, was convicted of first-degree murder in state court in December 2018, according to the Post. This spring, he was also convicted of federal hate crime charges, and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Heyerwas remembered as a passionate activist who stood up against any type of discrimination,theNew York Timesreported.She headed to Charlottesville that Saturday out of a sense of duty to protest the white supremacists and neo-Nazis gathering under the pretense of protesting the planned removal of ahistorical statue.

Her last Facebookpostread, If youre not outraged, youre not paying attention.

Since her death,Heyersmother, Susan Bro,has started anon-profit foundationto provide scholarships for people who want to make positive, nonviolent social change, focusing on the fields of law, social work, social justice and education.

I think thats what we have with Heathers legacy, is a call to action, Brotold NPRin August 2018.

In 2018, the foundation awarded scholarships to three students, including one graduating from Charlottesville High School.

The second hate crime occurred on Jan. 10, 2018, when University of Pennsylvania student Blaze Bernstein, 19, was found half-buried in a shallow grave in Orange County, California, according toNBC News. His family and friends had been searching for him for eight days when his body was found stabbed multiple times.

It only took two days for authorities to make an arrest: Former high school classmate Samuel Woodward, 20, was charged, and law enforcement suspected the murder of the gay, Jewish man was a hate crime. In August 2018, prosecutors added a hate crime enhancement to the murder charge, based on evidence they found on Woodwards laptop and cellphone,theDaily Pennsylvanianreported.

Woodward told investigators at the time that Bernstein had tried to kiss him,theOrange County Registerreported.He was also later linked to the violent neo-Nazi groupAtomwaffen, according toFrontline-ProPublicareporting.

Woodwards case is still in the pre-trial phase, according to Frontline-ProPublica.He has pleaded notguilty, anddenies the charges.

Bernsteins family, however, haspushed through his death and started a nationwide, social media-based movement promoting random acts of kindness as an antidote to the hate that may have taken his life. Jeanne and Gideon Bernstein started a hashtag #BlazeItForward but also spearheaded collection efforts to feed the hungry,according to theLos Angeles Times.

Blaze was a really special human being, Jeanne said at a food bank event in January. His story resonates with people. [Volunteers] are also making an announcement that theyre saying no to intolerance, and theyre making a positive change.

The BlazeItForward Facebook page today has more than 26,000 members, sharing stories of people helping others, thanking others for help and reaching out for help with volunteer efforts. Its stated goal is to make the world a better place with one intentional kind act at a time.

On Oct. 16, the Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County shared on the page thatit waslaunching theBlaze Bernstein School of Culinary Arts, as a tribute to Bernsteins love of cooking.

For more on the brutal murders of Matthew Shepard, James Byrd, Blaze Bernstein and HeatherHeyer as well as the 2017 Portland train attack dont miss Uncovered: KilledByHate, onOxygen, where viewers will meet the families, survivors and advocates fighting the scourge of hate crimes to this day. KilledByHate airsSundayat7/6c.

Continued here:

Have The Most Brutal Hate Crimes Sparked Any Change For The Better? - Oxygen

"I really am sorry if I offended you," Rodriguez said in a video apology.

Last updated on October 16, 2019, at 11:16 a.m. ET

Posted on October 15, 2019, at 4:19 p.m. ET

A video of Gina Rodriguez saying the n-word while reciting lyrics to a song was removed from the actor's Instagram story on Tuesday, followed shortly thereafter with an apology from the Jane the Virgin star.

The video shows Rodriguez, who has been accused of being anti-black in the past, singing along to "Ready or Not" by the Fugees as she has her hair and makeup done.

"Voodoo / I could do what you do, believe me," the actor sang in the video, which appeared for at least three hours on her Instagram stories before being taken down. "Niggas give me heebie-jeebies."

Representatives for Rodriguez did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News' request for comment, but the star later apologized using the same app.

"I just wanted to reach out and apologize. I am sorry," Rodriguez said later on her Instagram story. "I am sorry if I offended anyone by singing along to the Fugees, to a song I love, I grew up on. I love Lauryn Hill, and I really am sorry if I offended you."

The star later posted another apology on Instagram, saying she had acted thoughtlessly. "In song or real life, the words that I spoke should not have been spoken," she wrote.

Rodriguez also spoke of learning a "public lesson" about the pain associated with the n-word. "I have some serious learning and growing to do, and I am so deeply sorry for the pain that I have caused," she said.

This gaffe is the latest slight, intentional or not, from Rodriguez against the black community. Last year, the Annihilation actor was accused of erasing black women during an interview she had with Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi while they promoted the film Smallfoot.

"You are just goals for so many young black women," interviewer BlogXilla said to Shahidi.

Rodriguez then cut in, seemingly correcting the interviewer, and said, "For so many women. Women."

"Yeah, for women too, but for black women we need people on a whole other level," BlogXilla responded.

Influential black culture website the Root later described Rodriguez's answer as "evoking the spirit of 'All Lives Matter.'"

Afterward, Rodriguez found herself making headlines once more when she was criticized for how she addressed pay inequality in Hollywood during a roundtable discussion with the outlet Net-a-Porter.

I get so petrified in this space talking about equal pay, especially when you look at the intersectional aspect of it, right?" Rodriguez said. "Where white women get paid more than Black women, Black women get paid more than Asian women, Asian women get paid more than Latina women, and its like a very scary space to step into."

As Selena Hill later wrote for the website Black Enterprise, "Although Rodriquezs comments are true in some regard, critics say her message was off-colored and glossed over the lack of representation and racial inequality black actresses face in Hollywood."

In January, Rodriguez appeared on Sway Calloway's radio program Sway in the Morning, where she broke down crying while attempting to tell her side of the story.

Rodriguez said pitting "two underrepresented groups against each other" is the last thing she'd want to do.

"Our unification is our rise," she said on the show. "Our unification is what's going to allow both of our communities to continue to flourish. I support and hope the reverse would happen."

Link:

Gina Rodriguez Has Apologized After Deleting A Video Of Her Singing The N-Word - BuzzFeed News

The season for trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns and watching horror movies has arrived.

Halloween will inevitably mean trouble on college campuses as many students will choose to dress in culturally offensive costumes at parties over the new two weeks.

These racist incidents can be deeply painful, making communities feel unsafe, said Dr. Katrina Caldwell, vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).

I think the first threshold is that people feel unwelcome, that they are not sure if they are sitting next to someone in their classroom or living in a residents hall or working in a lab with someone who might harbor some of the sentiments that most folks feel like are foundation to those types of images or that type of activity, she said.

Caldwell should know.

Earlier this month, a student at Ole Miss admitted to posing in blackface.

According to a letter, My Culture is Not a Costume, sent to the Ole Miss community after the incident by Caldwell and Dr. Noel Wilkin, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, the student recognized the immediate impact of this behavior, reached out to staff, expressed remorse and has already begun engaging in a voluntary educational process that includes curricular, experiential and reflective components.

Additionally, the letter offered questions that students should consider while choosing a Halloween costume:

Prior to the incident, Ole Miss had already been working to educate students, particularly those in student organizations. Conversations were being held in residence halls and the Greek community hosted a speaker to discuss themed parties.

The incident wasnt what necessarily prompted the educational response, said Caldwell. We were already in the midst of having these conversations on campus. There was already education happening and there has been at the University of Mississippi.

Caldwell said that the campus response has focused on the desire for more education, more sharing, more requests for workshops and training and more conversations. Additionally, there has been disappointment, anger and fear associated with not only this incident but to this consort of incidents that have the same undertones of you are not welcome and this might not be a safe environment.

Dr. Katrina Caldwell

The phenomenon of racist Halloween costumes is not new nor is it is unique to college students.

In 2015, the former president of the University of Louisville, Dr. James R. Ramsey, apologized after a photo was published of him wearing a stereotypical Mexican costume at a staff Halloween party.

Most recently, photos of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently surfaced of him wearing blackface and brownface across the years.

During a press conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba last month, Trudeau acknowledged his actions and said, it is something that people who live with the kind of discrimination that far too many do because of the color of their skin, or their history, or their origins, or their language, or their religion, face on a regular basis. And I didnt see that from the layers of privilege that I have. And for that, I am deeply sorry and I apologize.

There are two sides of the spectrum among those students who choose to dress in offensive costumes, according to Caldwell. On one side, there is a lack of awareness and education. However, on the other hand, she said that some students want to see how far they can push the limits and boundaries of the first amendment and free expression.

Additionally, a more extreme aspect of the spectrum is the intent to harm.

They have the intent to mock, they have the intent to demean, they have the intent to harm and to create fear and they understand very clearly that engaging in these types of activities will have that outcome, said Caldwell.

In general, Dr. Lori Patton Davis, chair of the Department of Educational Studies at The Ohio State University (OSU), said that the conversations about inappropriate costumes and party themes is almost like a broken record.

This has been happening for decades at this point and the reality is that its not just a situation of fraternities or lack of education, I think its a reflection on how society teaches people to devalue other peoples culture and treat it as fun, she said.

As a way to prevent future incidents on college campuses, Patton Davis believes there needs to be more accountability.

Dr. Lori Patton Davis

She also recommends that institutions provide opportunities for campus-wide themes.

Maybe a university might choose a Harry Potter theme for the campus to adopt so it doesnt begin to get into inappropriate costumes or parties with inappropriate themes? said Patton Davis.

Dr. Robert T. Palmer, department chair and associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies at Howard University, suggests the use of social media to help facilitate training in order to maximize the impact. For example, he said that college administrators should consider using Instagram, YouTube or Facebook to discuss examples of costumes that might border on being racially offensive.

Additionally, he recommends introducing implicit bias training on campus.

Making students aware that the way in which they think about a different culture or race, to that student given that background they might not deem how they dress as offensive, said Palmer. Making those issues more aware and more pronounced.

He said that institutions also need to be intentional of including language around harassment in their student code of conduct.

Linking the fact that dressing in a costume thats certainly racist and that portrays a particular racial group in a stigmatized manner, that can border on harassment, he added.

On a larger scale, Patton Davis acknowledged the importance of embedding these types of issues into a schools academic curriculum.

Theres a lot of learning opportunities for students and I think universities should tap into these various strategies, she said. So, it can be in the residence hall, in the dining hall, whether its in the passive or active programming, it can be in the first-year seminar. Theres all kinds of places where topics relating to valuing and appreciating their various cultures can provide educational value.

Sarah Wood can be reached at swood@diverseeducation.com.

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Halloween, a Season for Racist Costumes - Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education has 13 candidates.

Bio information initalics is from WFAE's education reporter, Ann Doss Helms.

ANNETTE ALBRIGHT

Annette Albright, who has worked for CMS and a charter school, is making her second run for school board. She is unaffiliated.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I believe what distinguishes me as a school board candidate is the fact that I am prepared to have the critical conversations needed to improve the leadership challenges facing the district. The need for integrity, transparency and open dialogue with the community must be at the forefront of any and all district improvement plans.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

The first priority I would bring is to ask my colleagues that we listen to the needs and concerns of our community. I would also ask that we work on building more collaborative relationships with the members of the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners in order that we can work as partners in planning for the needs of our residents. I would also ensure that student assignments decisions are made without prejudgments or biases.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

In order to ensure the right person is leading the district and the district has stable leadership the board should monitor the Superintendent's and district's progress towards set goals closely relying upon data based results. The BOE should also communicate frequently with the Superintendent to ensure he has the support and resources his needs to met the mission of the district. Lastly, the BOE needs to provide evaluations to the Superintendent based upon personal observations and data. If the Superintendent is not meeting set work performance criteria, the BOE must inform the Superintendent and communicate expectations moving forward.

ELYSE DASHEW (incumbent)

Elyse Dashew was elected to the school board in 2015 and is currently vice chair. She also chairs the boards Municipal Education Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of the countys municipal governments. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I am the only incumbent running for re-election. Serving on the school board is an immensely challenging job. I have been through the steep learning curve. I am battle-tested. I have spent four years as an at-large school board representative (vice chair for three years) building deep, collaborative relationships. Ive fought to make schools more equitable; improve the conditions of school buildings; raise teacher pay to top in NC; connect students to careers; provide a more rigorous, relevant curriculum; and collaborate with county and city to better serve our children. Supporting student success requires long-term commitment. There is more work to do and I want to see it through.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

We need to evaluate the outcomes of the current student assignment plan. We are still implementing the plan that was voted upon in 2017 and gathering lessons learned. (In fact, I had to chuckle at this question, because it the previous review feels very fresh!) A key lesson learned from the previous process is that we must make it a top priority to have a strong communications and community engagement plan in any future student assignment process.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

I and the rest of my board unanimously voted to promote Earnest Winston as the Superintendent of CMS. Here is why: He has deep knowledge of our district, our community, and our political environment. He is well versed in the CMS academic and equity initiatives guided by our Strategic Plan 2024. He was a trusted advisor to numerous superintendents. His experience ranges from classroom teaching to operations to communications. He is trusted by our cabinet, principals, teachers, and community partners based on relationships developed over many years. As ombudsman, he has worked with families to solve difficult problems involving their children. He is down-to-earth and self-aware. Most importantly, he is fiercely loyal to this district and all of our students, including his own two young daughters who attend CMS schools.

With clear guidance, support, and collaboration from the Board of Education, Superintendent Winston will lead our district successfully for years to come. I have personally told him that I pledge to provide this, using all the lessons that I have learned in my first four years on the board and I make this pledge to my constituents as well.

JENNIFER DE LA JARA

Jennifer De La Jara, director of education for International House, is a CMS parent making her first run for office. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I have a clear understanding of what the At-Large role entails. I have worked primarily with Title I schools across the county, plus I recently moved to the North Meck area, which has given me a broader view of the needs of county. I have been working hard to build relationships throughout which will lay the groundwork for better collaboration. I also have a unique background in working with our immigrant communities. Their voices also need to be part of the greater CMS conversation.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

We need to incorporate the new strategic plan, along with input from our equity committee that will be establised soon, together with intentional conversations with other stakeholders representing all four corners of our county to achieve the best results. I believe communication and seeking input from the community is the best approach. I intend to work on building trust and providing more transparency about our processes.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

Helping Mr. Winston be successful will be one of my number one goals. I believe he already brings many talents and a great understanding of the inner-workings of CMS. I will pledge to him and his staff to be approachable so we can help support the goals of the District while also providing oversight and accountability.

GREGORY DENLEA

Gregory Denlea, the only Republican in the race, says hes running to serve as a voice for the suburbs. He teaches at University of Phoenix and has grown children who went to CMS. This is his first run for office.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

Gregory Denlea (votedenlea.org) is a consistent and reliable vote for the suburban communities. I will not ignore any town, community, or school. I have 30 years experience in business supporting very large budgets. I have 15 years in higher education where I witnessed first-hand how underprepared students were for college math. I have a doctorate in educational leadership (the same licensure required for a CMS superintendent). I am passionate about giving the gift of education to all. I support parent choice and will commit myself to making our public school option a primary choice. In supporting our schools we will better the quality of our communities. Student success ensures our domestic, national, and global success as a nation.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

I am committed to ensuring that the local public school option accommodates neighborhood boundaries. My kids went to CMS and I know how traumatic it is when parents are not assigned to the closest school in their neighborhood. No student should travel for an hour on a school bus. No student should have to spend their elementary school years in a trailer. Schools with the most overcrowding should be the top priority for capital funding.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

The CMS School Board is singularly responsible for the failure of the superintendent. The Board should perform governance - not leadership. The superintendent and their team are charged with leadership. The School Board continues to let down both the superintendent and the community by telling others what to do (for example #1. ordering 4 towns to not build charter schools for a period of 15 years and #2. instructing the superintendent to ignore the municipalities of Cornelius, Huntersville, Matthews, and Mint Hill for prioritized capital funding). When elected I will commit to establish a governance committee to perform evaluation of the performance of the school board, educate board members in their governance duties, ensure the proper rotation and assignment of board members, and establish performance measures for the board). Until the board functions as a board the superintendent will not be able to lead.

JENNA MOOREHEAD

Jenna Moorehead, a newcomer to Charlotte, is former president of the board of the Bellefonte Area School District in Pennsylvania. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I am a career long social worker, including school social work. Im also a past president and former member of a school board in a high achieving school district of another state.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

I fully believe in equitable neighborhood assignment to ensure all students have access to higher achieving schools while insisting that areas who are underachieving bring necessary intervention to accommodate every student regardless of academic performance. It is imperative to recognize the socioeconomic challenges of many of our students and understand their limitless potential.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

My previous school board and business leadership experience tells me that we must gain leadership stability within CMS. As a board, we must trust the current leadership structure and decisions while providing appropriate support and supervision to ensure that CMS gains such stability.

DONNA J. PARKER-TATE

Donna Parker-Tate is a retired CMS principal who has also coached principals around the country. This is her first run for the board. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

As a candidate for School Board at Large, I come with a rich background experiences in education with documented evidence as a highly qualified instructional leader. Im very confident I understand how important effective educational policies, open community and parental conversation and support, as well as ensuring schools are provided with the needed tools (advance classes in all high schools, students are college ready to compete in our global society and are provided a skill for the workforce at Large, if chosen.) will advance the overall students academic achievement.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

Student assignment is very crucial to the overall success rate of our school district. The priories I will bring to this process are to have early deep community conversations, easy accessibly for students and families to schools assigned (parental support is crucial), and that our schools mirror our global/diverse society.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

In facing systemic stability in our leadership, finding the perfect/right person to lead our district is ensuring we ( the school board, teachers, parents and the community at large) dive deeply into conversations with one another as we engage and are transparent at the looks fors, qualifications and indicators for our leader. Our leader must also understand the uniqueness of CMS and is highly capable and committed to the success of this district. Very difficult situation even though we may think we have follow the right pathway.

JORDAN PINEDA

Jordan Pineda is a former CMS teacher who works with Teach For America and is trying to launch a group to work with boys of color. He is a Democrat making his first run for office.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

Proximity to the issue. I have committed my career to pursuing equity in education. No other candidate can say that. As a sociologist, I specifically studied the theories, policies and practices that go into creating effective and equitable school systems for students of color and/or from low income communities. I taught at a Title I school where I saw the reality of the disparities within CMS and not just the data points, but the real faces of our kids. I earned my teaching license and for the last two years I have been recruiting and coaching teachers into CMS Title I schools. I coach 20 teachers across 11 different schools in our system. I am in the work every day and I know that this work is more than just a 30 second soundbite. Its more than buzz phrases. Its about utilizing my professional career that is centered on synthesizing education-centric data and objectively analyzing policy and theory that is derived from hard sociological fact. Its about being the person who can speak for teachers because I taught or represent the kids who we have committed to providing a more equitable education because I have lived their lives.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

We have the most segregated school system in the state and one of the most segregated systems in the country. My priority is ensure that the next phrase of student assignment is focused on the intentional integration of our schools. But, it is difficult to integrate schools that are not performing at the same level, so we need to concentrate on bolstering up our failing, low income schools in CMS (which are predominantly Schools of Color). That, I believe is the true intent of the boards decision to prioritize the pursuit of equity and why I am so committed to effectively implementing equity while we prepare for another reassignment conversation. Successfully implementing equitable policies will make clear that there are still gaps to close between these schools and the only remaining solution is integration. There will be many challenges in our pursuit of a more integrated CMS and we need to make it clear that this is impacting our city, as a whole. The funding disparities between affluent schools and low-income schools directly correlate to race and housing and contribute to Charlottes ranking 50th out of 50 in terms of upward mobility. School reassignment needs to impact us all.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

I believe that the school board is at fault when it comes to the perpetual leadership turnover. The lack of transparency, failure to communicate effectively, to accept responsibility or be open to an audit is what is expected from our board. To undo this reality the board needs to work with the community to clearly articulate the functioning role of school board; what their responsibilities are and what they are not. It also needs to be much more clear and vocal in the objectives and goals that it brings to the superintendent as he can only be as good as his board. Our board needs to accept that CMS is one of the largest school districts in the country and it needs to operate like a well-functioning government entity, not as a private club that makes decisions behind closed doors. Lastly, school board members need to understand how to make personnel decisions that are best for students and teachers. This means implementing clearly defined hiring practices that focus on diversity, equity and inclusivity. These hiring decisions need to be made by professional educators who have experience in hiring and selecting leaders to teach/lead in our schools, like myself.

OLIVIA SCOTT

Olivia Scott is on the ballot but says she is not actively campaigning. She is a Democrat making her second run for the board.

Olivia Scott did not respond to this questionnaire.

LENORA SHIPP

Lenora Shipp is a CMS graduate and retired principal making her second run for the board. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I have history of the past and a focus on the present that will lead my work moving the school system forward into the future. I was a student in the school system before integration and during integration. A Teacher at the Elementary and Secondary level, Professional Development Specialist , Assistant Principal, Principal for 15 years/over 33 years of service in CMS working with students, teachers, parents and communities throughout the county. I clearly understand what the work of educating all students with a sound quality education to compete in the global society looks like. I have seen the successes andfailures - what worked, what didn't work in CMS. I have been trained in the Broad Foundation process of strategic schools/ strategic staffing to turn around schools. An accomplished leader with a proven track record of advancing academic achievement for all students. A parent that has seen the challenges of educating a child in CMS Pre-K-12. These experiences along with my strong commitment to this district, and a public school advocate distinguishes me as a school board candidates.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

My priorities are to increase the level of equity and diversity throughout the school system. We must do so by looking at facilities in the neighborhoods to ensure that they are brought up to standards with a focus on matching magnets program throughout the district, higher level course offering, and a wide array of CTE courses in all schools. We must ensure quality materials and human resources( highly qualified , teachers, staff, strong instructional leadership) that will even the playing field. I would also look at rezoning to widen the zones for transportation to provide more choice options to all families. Then, parents would have real choice in student assignment.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?As a former Administrator, with experience working under 10 different superintendents, here are some of my recommendations for hiring the right person in the position for stability of leadership in this district: The board should have clear goals and objectives for the superintendent that aligns with the school systems mission and vision. There must be a match between the district and superintendent; The board and the prospective superintendent should have a joint set of agreements ; Along with having a search firm, the board should also conduct a comprehensive review of the superintendent candidates to understand handling of successes and failures, management style, hiring practices and treatment of employees and the community. This should be a critical part of the superintendent screening process; An oversight committee must be effectively in place to govern the work and performance of the superintendent on a quarterly bases with a neutral training partner to reach mutual understanding and stronger accountability.STEPHANIE SNEEDStephanie Sneed is a lawyer who is active in education advocacy groups in east and west Charlotte. She is a Democrat making her second run for the board.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

As a former trial attorney for child protective services, I have experience advocating for the health, safety and welfare of children. With prior employment law experience, I am well versed in policies/practices that make for successful organizations and the practices that are pitfalls to large organizations. This is unique from any candidate or board member and will allow me to have an immediate impact on moving CMS forward. Examples include: human resources practices (recruitment, retention, training), execution/revision of employment policies, and providing distinct guidance on setting quantifiable standards/objectives for the superintendent and staff, which would coincide with quantifiable goals to be established for each school year. I also uniquely discuss short and long term goals, as evidenced above, while most other candidates focus on slow moving plans. As project lead for Westside Education Think Tank and founding member of Eastside Education Think Tank, I have had significant opportunities to engage directly with vulnerable communities, resulting in increased parent/community school engagement. I am a Girl Scout and CMS volunteer, member of numerous PTAs and CMS parent of two children, one at a low performing school. I want to evolve these experiences into effective policies to make CMS a premiere district.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

The first priority is always to look through the lens of what are the best steps that will advance ALL students to be college and career ready. Secondly, the process must be transparent, and input must be received from all interested parties no matter their socioeconomic status. The process should also be collaborative and include dialogue from other governmental bodies including county commission and city council in that the city and county is highly segregated because of issues of lack of economic mobility and affordable housing. Most importantly, at the implementation of any reassignment, measures must already be in place to provide the appropriate support to those students that need it most. Reassignment is not a magic wand for success of all students.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

First, the Board needs to set forth quantifiable goals (i.e. increase 3rd grade reading levels; 20% improvement in the recruitment and retention of teachers, including male teachers of color; 20% increase in parent engagement, 25% increase of students graduating college or career ready, etc.) that must be accomplished within a 4 year period. The Board must consider candidates that have experience that is in the line with the predetermined goals of the Board. The Board must then be diligent in its selection of a candidate that can provide a specific, unique and fresh approach to accomplishing these predetermined goals. Moreover, once the superintendent is in place, s/he must be provided clear and measurable goals to accomplish for each academic year, so that there is clear notification of what must be accomplished on a yearly basis. Often overlooked, but critical, the Board must consider leadership style of any Superintendent, including his ability to interact and engage with all levels of CMS staff and has the ability to meet all parents where they are.

DUNCAN ST. CLAIRDuncan St. Clair is a first-time candidate and unaffiliated voter. He is a CMS graduate who owns a coffee business.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

In 1996, I graduated from West Charlotte Senior High with a homegrown K-12 CMS education. In 2000, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to becoming a business owner, I worked for extremely large corporations, the federal government, non-profits, a family-owned company, and was self-employed. I see enormous challenges ahead, but I also envision incredible opportunities for success. In many ways, I am excited about what I hear from other candidates and surprised by what I dont hear as well. I want to emulate the Countys Adopt-A-Stream clean-up program for our schools so they look good from the very outset for students, parents, and teachers. Additionally, the School Board has not significantly acted on the issue of climate change and adopted its role in mitigating the effects. Investigating efficiency, promoting renewable energy, and enhancing optimization of all aspects within CMS may distinguish me as a candidate for now, but a grasp on the urgency of these issues from any Board Member will ultimately improve our school system and have far reaching benefits for both our area and world.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

Prioritizing every student education is the ultimate remedy for assignment. While it seems obvious geography will always remain the most vital factor to consider, education in the 21st century is changing. But when parents view neighborhood assignments as unappealing and either enter the magnet lottery, select a private school, or search for a charter, addressing the fundamental issue that CMS has limited ability to provide access to excellent education is the critical component for parental support and student success. Increasing CMS magnet options within neighborhood schools scales up the unique and advanced learning these programs bring to multiple locales and families. Likewise, expanding magnet subject studies to create unique and diverse educational offerings magnifies the value of our community as a whole. Further, ask every parent: Where do you want your child to attend school? Because ultimately it should be the parents decision where their child goes and access to quality education should be regarded as a right, not a gamble. Prioritize students instead of assignments. Maintain and gain the confidence of parents. And increase teacher compensation in all ways from finance to pure respect. Student assignment is definitely more about providing choice schools than choosing boundaries.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

As growth in our area expands enormously, so do the massive responsibilities of CMS. The invariable complications arising from operating and maintaining a complex network of schools across a geographically, economically, socially, and culturally diverse area constantly and quickly changing itself makes the job of a superintendent hardly applicable to one person. The past decade alone at CMS clearly indicates one superintendent is "not working out." Further, the relentless search for "one superintendent" wastes time and has, unfortunately, squashed transparency and confidence in the School Board to do just that. Growth in student enrollment coupled with the head-spinning whirlwind of turnover inexorably suggests dividing CMS into smaller, more manageable zones enables problems to be identified more swiftly and remedies adopted more effectively - benefiting everyone. Optimizing management by employing a small group of superintendents perhaps two or three establishes the stability necessary for the system to meet its current and increasingly difficult obligations.

QUEEN THOMPSON

Queen Thompson is a former CMS employee making her fourth run for the board. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I am the most experienced candidate for school board, with inside information about some of the actual problems and concrete solutions to offer. Awarded CMS Ben Craig Outstanding Education Award for outstanding and innovative programs.

1. Platform Quality schools for all children under the law, I will offer a series stories and illustrations in a publications called School House Secret, that have resulted in problems faced in CMS. Additionly, I will offer concrete solutions on How to Fix Public Education. The solutions must come about quickly as not to lose another generation of children.

2. My platform calls for mandated professional staff development. A large percentage of CMS staff members are not trained. Most have never had a course in Public School law.

3. Support fair and equitable personnel policies.

4. Address discipline by teaching social and behavioral skills. Everyone assumes that children are born knowing how to behave and manage conflicts. Social and behavior skills need to be taught. Children are treated like robots/machines and it is not working.

5. Fiscal Accountability and Transparency. Comprehensive oversight to address waste, mismanagement and the abuse of power is needed.

Recognized as a CMS a strong advocate, effective advocate for all children.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

With the collaboration of the board and staff, I plan to bring to the board, a plan to make all schools equitable and quality schools under the law, within the next two calendar years. My plan will bring quality education to all children through mastery learning, thereby dismantling the labeling of children, schools and communities failing and low performing schools.

After 50 years, I have never met anyone who wanted to be a failure. School failure destroys people, children, neighborhoods and economic growth. Who wants to work at a failing school? Who wants to attend a school, labeled failing or low performing? The label of failing becomes the self fulfilling prophecy.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

There is no one person that is the right person in for the job. Decisions are made by a team of qualified individuals (staff members, board of education members and the community) committed to equal access to a quality education under the law in Mecklenburg County. In order to solve CMS problem puzzle, all pieces of the puzzles must be at the table. The stabilization will come when as a county or a community we are find common ground, and work together, where everyone wins.

Mecklenburg County must decide if we as a schools system stay the way they are, failing and low performing. Do continue to have our residents run, across the county in search of quality schools? Do we continue to run children to neighboring counties in search of quality schools?Do we take a wait and hope for the best attitude?Or do we unite together NOW to make Mecklenburg County Public Schools Q.U.E.E. N. Quality schools, regardless of your address and incomeUniting the community to stand togetherExperienced problem solverEducation equality, reform advocate and visionaryNow, no compromising on school failure

Where everybody wins.

MONTY WITHERSPOON

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2019 Election Voter Guide: CMS Board Of Education - WFAE