REC NEWS: INSIDE EQUITY | ISSUE 1

FEBRUARY 5, 2024 ISSUE NO.01

RACIAL EQUITY CONSORTIUM

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Table of Contents 03

MESSAGE FROM THE REC DIRECTOR

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CONSORTIUM STAFF

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DELAWARE TAKES A STAND!

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A WORD WITH STEPHANIE BOLDEN

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SAFETY & JUSTICE

12 WHAT ABOUT HOUSING?

14 INSIDE EQUITY PODCAST

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CONSORTIUM SCHEDULE

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From the Director People of color often face implicit and explicit bias, unjust, unfair, and unequal treatment in every aspect of their lives. Current disparities in housing, education, health care, environment, criminal justice, and economic development are just as bad and sometimes worse than they were before the Civil Rights era.

This was made all too clear with the horrible and senseless murder of George Floyd. That event, along with too many others, prompted a new level of awareness and public reckoning about our nation’s institutional and systemic racism. It was under that backdrop that the African American Task Force (AATF) was created. The AATF recommended the creation of the Racial Equity Consortium (REC). Since its inception, the REC has been intentional in forming partnerships, seeking collaborations, and working with organizations with similar missions of tackling racism. By leveraging our collective power, we can begin to address the inequities of people of color in Delaware.

Everyone has a role to play in encouraging and creating equitable neighborhoods and cultures throughout the state. It is our hope that Inside Equity Newsletter will leave you informed, updated and ready to mobilize and act on specific initiatives. There is a great deal of work to do. The diverse and talented REC members and staff are committed to studying and implementing the AATF recommendations to address the disparities and inequities faced by racial and ethnic minorities in the state. Join us on this necessary effort to build the world we want to see.

Yours in the struggle,

Asua Ofosu REC Director

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Consortium Staff

ASUA OFOSU, JD

MICHAEL N. PIERCE

DAYTONIA CAMPBELL

Director

Manager of Communications & Public Relations

Office Manager

MONALISA SEATON

JORDAN SPENCER

ANAIYA PIERCE

Graduate Assistant

Graduate Assistant

Undergraduate Intern

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Correspondence

Chair & Co-chair Our country was based on the premise “equal justice for all...” I believe that we as a nation and state have not yet exceeded those goals. It is a great opportunity to be a part of an initiative that is going to look at how we can fulfill racial equity, and inclusion for all.

-DR. FREEMAN WILLIAMS, CHAIR Racial Equity means that there should be justice for all and unfortunately that is not what’s happening. We should not have to live where they pacify us with pretending there is justice. I pray that we get real justice through law enforcement, housing, and every area of our life.

-JANE HOVINGTON, VICE CHAIR

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DELAWARE TAKES A STAND!

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ABOVE: CONSORTIUM MEETING ROOM LOCATED IN BANK OF AMERICA BUILDING, RM 310 AT DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY IN DOVER, DE.

DOVER- The horrific murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Andre Hill and many other African Americans killed by the hands of law enforcement left citizens across the country in disarray. In response to these the tragedies, the state of Delaware decided to take a stand and fight against the inequities black and brown communities have faced since our country’s inception.

State officials created the African American Task Force to recommend solutions to the problems faced within housing, education, economic development, health & wellness, environment and criminal justice.

Two years after the task force was created, the Racial Equity Consortium was founded. The objective of the Consortium is to continue to address the inequities of the black and brown community, while exploring and executing the recommendations of the task force.

Housed within the Global Institute for Equity, Inclusion and Civil Rights at Delaware State University, Consortium Staff members work alongside students and community leaders to address various issues hands on.

The consortium board consist of 23 members, many appointed by Governor Carney to assist with the progress and execution of solutions presented. Members of the board represent various organizations such as the office Attorney General, Department of Labor, NAACP, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Department of Education, DE State Housing Authority, and much more.

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BOLDEN A WORD WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE

Consortium staff receives words of wisdom from Rep. Bolden.

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The Racial Equity Consortium staff had the pleasure of hearing a few remarks from State of Delaware Representative, Stephanie T. Bolden following her Herman Holloway Recording at DETV28 News, located in Wilmington, DE. What are your expectations for the consortium?

Solutions… solutions going forward and not just complaints. It’s time for us to come up with solutions.

Back in 1968, when we took over the admin building, 12 students, it was about solutions. We were fighting for the names of our heroes to maintain life. We studied about Medgar Evers and Martin Luther King Jr. We knew that they were a part of a generation that changed things for us as college students.

Back in those days it was the involvement of the college students that got things done. If you look at North Carolina A&T and the sit ins they did at the counters, those were important… that was what liberated us. Those are the type of things I want for the consortium. Also, for current students to know the history of Delaware State so they have a better understanding of what they can do going forward.

How can we instill the same level of passion for our HBCU that previous generations had during these key moments in history? How do we inform our students of the history that has taken place on this campus?

I think it should mandatory. Schools such as Spelman and other schools in Atlanta KNOW the history of their school. We have such great history at DSU, from where it was before it ever became a college. So, I think that should be taught. Another thing I am trying to push and promote is Howard high school- it came from Delaware State and was the only black school, created by Pierre DuPont, built for us so that we would have a high school to go. African Americans students came from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. They stayed with extended family members in Wilmington during the week so that they could get an education since they didn’t have colored schools in their areas. Howard high has a lot of history. It had Alice Dunbar Nelson, the wife of Lawrence Dunbar, who taught there. Edwina Cruise, the first African American principle that was there, Louis L. Redding, and all these people went to Howard.

THAT is history, and the kids know nothing about it. When they did Brown v. Board of Education, it was about us getting the textbooks that were not hand me downs. The Wilmington School District graduated lawyers, doctors, teachers, everything. Though we did not have the latest textbooks, they taught us our history. They taught us values; they taught us respect. That’s how we were able to become the people we are today.

What are some of the things you would like to see the younger generation do to help uplift those coming up?

Talk to their grandparents and great-great grands to learn their experiences and learn how they were able to get out from where they were. Also, to prevent from going back to where they were in the past.

They can also teach their grandparents to use the tools of today like social media.

What has been the greatest accomplish of your career thus far?

The knowledge my students have received. Have you heard of the Willie Lynch Theory? It’s a letter where a white person states they have the perfect theory of keeping blacks divided back when slavery was ending. It says, “you put the light skins against the dark skin, educated against the uneducated. The middle class against the lower income. That is the perfect thing that will keep them divided forever,”.

Look what happened! I even taught it to my class, white, black, and Hispanic kids. That is why they loved me. I was strict but caring. Just to give them knowledge of what goes on in the world. A lot of my students are now teachers and attorneys. Those are the reward of teachings. You may think you’ve made it, but you haven’t really made until you see that life is equal… if it’s not equal, then the battle is still there, and you can’t put your guard down.

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SAFETY & JUSTICE Recently incarcerated individuals often face numerous challenges upon reentering society, including difficulties in securing employment, housing, and the right to vote as American citizens. These barriers contribute to a diminished quality of life, perpetuating cycles of poverty and recidivism. In Delaware, the expungement process plays a crucial role in mitigating these challenges by allowing individuals to clear their criminal records, thus improving their prospects for employment and housing.

However, the current expungement process in Delaware is often slow and cumbersome, delaying individuals' ability to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society effectively.

Expedited expungement processes in Delaware are essential to address these issues promptly. By streamlining the expungement process, recently incarcerated individuals can more swiftly remove barriers to employment and housing, increasing their chances of successful reintegration into society.

Additionally, expedited expungement can help reduce recidivism rates by providing individuals with a clearer pathway to a lawabiding lifestyle. Policymakers and stakeholders must prioritize reforms to the expungement process in Delaware to ensure that individuals with criminal records have the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities.

In Delaware, certain individuals may be eligible for an expedited expungement process known as the 30-60-90-day program.

This program allows for quicker expungement of certain misdemeanor and felony convictions under specific circumstances.

For more information, go to: https://ods.delaware.gov/expungements/ RACIAL EQUITY CONSORTIUM

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SAFETY & JUSTICE MOTION PASSED: CREATE UNIFORM TIME FRAME During a recent meeting, REC passed the motion to support transitioning from Delaware’s current 30-60-90 day expungement process to a uniform time frame. Advocates argue that this change would ensure consistency and efficiency in clearing criminal records.

By establishing a single time frame for all expungement petitions, individuals would experience quicker resolution and a clearer understanding of the process. This uniform approach aims to streamline administrative procedures, reduce disparities, and promote equitable access to expungement for all eligible individuals.

Policymakers are urged to assess the feasibility and benefits of implementing such a standardized time frame to improve the expungement process in Delaware.

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WHAT ABOUT

HOUSING?

BY SHAWN GARCIA PHOTOGRAPHY

BY HELENE The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA)PAQUET plays a multifaceted role in

housing, including administering public housing sites and vouchers, facilitating homeownership through various assistance programs, and supporting the construction of affordable rental housing. In 2023, a comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment was conducted to analyze housing costs, affordability, and projected needs in Delaware. This assessment utilized demographic data, stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and a resident survey to inform policymaking, advocate for increased funding, evaluate existing programs, and identify disparities.

Despite efforts, significant disparities persist in homeownership rates and access to mortgage lending between White and Black Delawareans. The assessment revealed a substantial 30-point gap in homeownership rates, with Black residents facing higher mortgage denial rates, even at comparable income levels. Black respondents were overrepresented among those precariously housed or experiencing housing instability, particularly during the pandemic, and were more likely to report forced moves within the past five years, especially in certain counties.

These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and increased resources to address housing disparities in Delaware. Policymakers and stakeholders must prioritize equitable access to housing opportunities, eliminate discriminatory practices in mortgage lending, and enhance support services tailored to the needs of marginalized communities. By implementing comprehensive strategies, Delaware can strive towards creating inclusive communities where all residents have access to stable and affordable housing.

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WHAT ABOUT

HOUSING?

To address the housing disparities highlighted in Delaware, several potential solutions have been proposed: Targeted Down Payment Assistance: Initiatives such as the Dearfield Fund for Black Wealth aim to provide targeted down payment assistance to help marginalized communities, particularly Black residents, overcome financial barriers to homeownership.

By offering assistance specifically tailored to their needs, these programs can increase access to affordable housing options.

Credit Repair and Financial Counseling: Given the significant impact of credit on mortgage approval rates, providing credit repair and financial counseling services can empower individuals, especially Black and Hispanic renters, to improve their credit scores and qualify for mortgages. By addressing credit-related barriers, these services can enhance financial literacy and pave the way for homeownership opportunities.

Increased Rental Assistance and Construction Resources: To combat housing instability and meet the growing demand for affordable rental housing, there's a need for increased rental assistance programs and resources for the construction of rental units. By expanding rental assistance initiatives and investing in the development of affordable rental housing, policymakers can alleviate housing burdens and provide stable housing options for vulnerable populations.

Implementing these potential solutions can help mitigate housing disparities, promote equitable access to housing opportunities, and foster inclusive communities in Delaware. By addressing financial barriers, providing support services, and investing in affordable housing initiatives, the state can work towards creating a more equitable and accessible housing landscape for all residents.

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OUR PEOPLE, OUR CULTURE, OUR COMMUNITY

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Inside Equity is a groundbreaking new podcast that delves into a wide range of topics surrounding equity, presented by a consortium of experts and community members. Each episode tackles pressing issues related to social, economic, and racial equity, offering insightful discussions and actionable insights.

Through engaging conversations and thoughtprovoking interviews, the podcast explores the complexities of equity and its impact on diverse communities. From systemic inequalities to innovative solutions, "Inside Equity" provides a platform for voices from different backgrounds to share their perspectives and experiences.

Listeners and viewers can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing society today, as well as practical strategies for advancing equity in various spheres. Whether it's discussing policy reforms, community initiatives, or personal narratives, "Inside Equity" offers compelling content that inspires reflection and drives positive change.

With its inclusive approach and commitment to amplifying marginalized voices, "Inside Equity" serves as a vital resource for anyone passionate about building a more just and equitable world. Tune in to explore the complexities of equity and join the conversation on creating meaningful impact in our communities.

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TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

REC BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE 2024 The Racial Equity Consortium board consist of 23 members appointed by Governor John Carney to evaluated the suggestions of the African American Task Force, and implementation process for the Consortium. All meeting are open to the public virtually and in person at Delaware State University’s Bank of America Building (1200 N DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901) 2024 SCHEDULE January 30, 2024 March 24, 2024 May 21, 2024 July 23, 2024 September 24, 2024 November 14, 2024 All virtual meeting links can be found on the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.

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