Subscribe to this blog's feedLiberty Hill President/CEO Kafi D. Blumenfield spoke out in support of the California State Assembly's Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color, which held its inaugural hearing yesterday in Sacramento. Present and participating at the hearing was Vincent Jones, Liberty Hill Deputy Director of Common Agenda/Senior Program Officer. We'll have his report here in the next few days, along with photos from the rally in Sacramento.
The Select Committee plans to study successful models of policies and programs that support the health and success of young men of color. Here's the text of the news release from The California Endowment with preliminary details:
ASSEMBLY SELECT COMMITTEE ON STATUS OF BOYS AND MEN OF COLOR IN CALIFORNIA HOLDS INAUGURAL HEARING
Experts, youth and community leaders identify successful models to address equity issues and improve the health status of boys and young men of color.
First hearing convened at moment of urgency as state and local governments consider deeper cuts to education and prevention programs.
(Sacramento) State legislators, community leaders, youth and experts convened today for the first hearing of the California State Assembly’s Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color in California. The committee focused on how education, health care, employment and public safety policies are developed, delivered and financed with the goal of improving these policies to better support the health and success of young men of color.
“Our state’s future prosperity depends on all Californians having a fair chance to thrive,” said Robert K. Ross, M.D., president and CEO of The California Endowment. “One of the best investments that we can make is to be certain that we are doing everything possible to help young people become healthy, productive adults. As California becomes increasingly diverse, it will be critical to nurture and harness the talent, skills and hope of young men of color.”
Many organizations who have worked on the issues facing young men of color for years expressed support for the committee and its ability to elevate these issues. “I applaud the Assembly Speaker and the Select Committee Members for their bold action to identify policies that will benefit all Californians by ensuring that young people of color can contribute to building a prosperous future for the state,” said Junious Williams, CEO of Urban Strategies Council.
As the committee continues examining the issues facing young men of color through a series of field hearings in Fresno, Oakland and Los Angeles, it will focus on local programs that are succeeding to learn what’s working. “There are local success stories already taking root across the state. The key to this process will be first, identifying and then, having the will and wisdom to expand those working models across the state so that all young men of color can access them,” said Taj James, executive director and board president at Movement Strategy Center.
Barry Krisberg, research and policy director at The Earl Warren Institute on Law and Social Policy echoed James’ sentiments, saying, “It is well within our grasp to significantly advance the health and life chances of young men of color in California -- and in so doing enrich the entire state. The basic question for all Californians to ask is: Since these young people are all our children, how can we best ensure that their great human potential be nourished and supported?"
Health, economic and education outcomes for boys and young men of all races and ethnicities are generally worse than the majority of other Californians. While many Californians face their own set of challenges, the statistics make it clear that many boys and young men of color face a unique and significant set of barriers to health and success.
“We are at risk of losing the talents and skills of an entire generation of productive men -- an issue of importance for girls, boys, men and women,” said Angela Glover Blackwell, founder and CEO of PolicyLink, a research and action institute advancing economic and social equity. “Every Californian has a stake in making sure that young men of color succeed because our communities count on all young people to contribute to our economy and our society.”
The Select Committee convened at a moment of urgency and against a backdrop of deep cuts to education and prevention programs in California. A recent study by RAND and PACE Research Network shows that school districts in California have been using funds designated to support students with the greatest needs to help balance their general budgets. There is also a growing understanding of the challenges and the need for action.
Liberty Hill Foundation President and CEO Kafi D. Blumenfield emphasized the sense of urgency, declaring, “We face a grave crisis that at long last is receiving serious attention. At this moment in time, no Californian can honestly say, ‘This is not my problem.’ The future of California’s economy and security rests on us helping all our young men become healthy productive adults.”
The California State Assembly’s Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color is chaired by Assemblymember Sandré Swanson (D-16) and includes 7 assembly members: Assemblymember Steven Bradford (D-51), Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-75), Assemblymember Warren T. Furutani (D-55), Assemblymember Richard S. Gordon (D-21), Assemblywoman Shannon L. Grove (R-32), Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-56) and Assemblymember Anthony J. Portantino (D-44). Further hearings will follow in Oakland, Los Angeles and Fresno.
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