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Ohio gathers data on city’s black males
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Executive Director of Ohio Commission on African American males Samuel Gresham Jr. speaks at City Hall Thursday
The police chief said black males between 15 and 25 account for 90 percent of Youngstown’s murder offenders or victims.
YOUNGSTOWN — Dozens of people gathered at City Hall to discuss what is needed to address the challenges facing black males in Ohio.
The Monday evening meeting was one of 15 stops across the state by the Ohio Commission on African-American Males. The commission is a state agency set up to identify and promote strategies and policies to foster improvements in issues affecting black men.
The commission has visited 15 cities of varying sizes that collectively represent 90 percent of the black population in the state. Samuel Gresham, commission executive director, said the commission’s purpose is the same in each city — gather input from those living there.
“The question we want them to answer is, what do you want the commission to do in your community?” he said.
Those attending the presentation were asked to fill out questionnaires on the plight and outlook of black males.
Gresham said the leading concerns across the state have been access to health care, education, employment training and criminal justice concerns.
Some in the audience seemed skeptical that the commission could or would do anything at all. One man asked Gresham why so much input is needed now when the commission has been in existence for two decades.
City resident Clarence Boles asked what will be different about the current program than seen in the past and will any direct changes come out of it.
Gresham said there cannot be a complete reliance on government. Any program put in place by the state will only be a catalyst or leading effort for those living in the community to bring about changes and address issues concerning black males, he said.
Many in attendance Thursday seemed to agree with Gresham.
During a portion of the discussion where attendees were encouraged to give five-minute testimonials, Jerome Harrell, principal at Alpha: School of Excellence for Boys, said it is time for the black community to stop blaming others — in and out of the black community — for unacceptable behavior of some young black males. He offered insight as to how the school encourages positive attitudes in young males.
The Rev. Kenneth Simon, pastor at New Bethel Baptist Church, encouraged the community to support existing organizations that work to address issues affecting young black males. He said any solution will be found in organization and community effort.
Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes made it clear that any state program or initiative would have to address younger black males.
Hughes said Youngstown exceeds the national average in murder for cities with a population of 100,000, with black males between 15 and 25 accounting for 90 percent of the offenders or victims. Remove those males from the equation, he said, and the city would fall below the national average, showing that particular age group must be addressed.
Gresham said black males, particularly young males, need to be the focus of any programs or initiatives if the black race is to flourish.
“The next renaissance of the African-American community is the African-American male,” he said. “The African-American community will not reach its apex without the African-American male.”
jgoodwin@vindy.com
SEE ALSO: About the commission.