State of Black Dayton Miami Valley Urban League

The State of

Black Dayton Resilience and Renewal: Charting the Future for Black Dayton

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TABLE OF CONTENTS About the Miami Valley Urban League

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From the Desk of the Executive Director

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Executive Summary

Overview of the Region

How are the Children?: The State of Education

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Building Healthy Communities: The State of Health and Wellness

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A Place to Call Home: The State of Housing

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Advancement Towards Prosperity: The State of Economic Empowerment and Wealth

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Being Connected: The State of Digital Access

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Justice for All: The State of Criminal Justice

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Afterword

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Our Contributors

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Advisory Board Members

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Endnotes

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Acknowledgements

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A COMMITTMENT TO ADVANCING THE REGION’S BLACK COMMUNITY The Miami Valley Urban League (MVUL) is a catalyst for economic empowerment, equity, and opportunity in the Dayton region. Rooted in a legacy that spans more than 75 years, MVUL works to ensure that African Americans and other historically underserved residents have access to education, employment, capital, and civic power necessary to thrive in a changing economy.

OUR HISTORY The Urban League movement in Dayton began in 1947 with the chartering of the Dayton Urban League under the authority of the National Urban League.

Established in response to a post–World War II study documenting the social and economic conditions of Black residents in Dayton, the organization focused on employment access, housing stability, and civil rights during a period when manufacturing defined the region’s economy.

ABOUT THE MIAMI VALLEY

URBAN LEAGUE 4

In 2010, amid funding challenges and organizational restructuring, the original Dayton affiliate closed. Recognizing both the continued need and the opportunity to reimagine Urban League work for a new economic era, the National Urban League authorized a regional model in 2012. The Miami Valley Urban League was established as a division of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, restoring a permanent Urban League presence in Dayton with a renewed focus on workforce development, youth achievement, financial empowerment, and inclusive economic growth.

Today, MVUL operates at the intersection of community need and regional opportunity—building on a legacy of advocacy while responding to an economy increasingly shaped by technology, aerospace, logistics, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.

OUR MISSION The mission of the Miami Valley Urban League is to end generational poverty through advocacy and by empowering individuals to establish careers, become entreprenuers, build wealth and develop leaders.

We pursue this mission by strengthening individual outcomes, expanding access to opportunity, and advancing systems-level change through crosssector collaboration.

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OUR STRATEGIC FOCUS AND PROGRAMS MVUL’s work is guided by strategic goals that align community priorities with regional economic growth. Our programs are designed to meet people where they are while creating pathways to long-term mobility.

Workforce Development and Career Advancement MVUL prepares residents for quality jobs that offer family-sustaining wages and career mobility. > SOAR (Skills, Opportunity, Advancement, and Readiness) is our flagship workforce program, connecting adults to in-demand career pathways through training, credentials, employer engagement, and supportive services. SOAR addresses both the region’s workforce shortages and the underrepresentation of Black workers in high-growth industries.

Through employer partnerships and sector-based strategies, SOAR helps participants transition from unemployment or underemployment into stable, competitive employment.

Youth Development and Leadership

Financial Empowerment and Wealth Building We help individuals and families build financial stability and long-term wealth. > MVUL operates a Financial Empowerment Center that provides one-onone financial coaching, credit-building support, budgeting assistance, and referrals to asset-building opportunities. > MVUL through the City of Dayton’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, offers free, high-quality tax preparation for eligible households, helping families maximize refunds, access tax credits, and avoid predatory tax services.

How We Accomplish Our Work MVUL delivers impact through a combination of direct services, partnerships, and systems leadership. > Direct Services: Workforce training, youth development, financial coaching, tax preparation, and small-business assistance that respond directly to community needs. > Strategic Partnerships: Collaboration with employers, local governments, school districts, higher education institutions, workforce boards, financial institutions, and community organizations to align resources and reduce duplication.

We invest in young people as the next generation of leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

> Data and Community Voice: MVUL elevates lived experience through research, listening sessions, and initiatives such as the State of Black Dayton, ensuring that policy and investment decisions reflect community realities.

> EMERGE is MVUL’s youth development and career-exploration program, designed to help young people build academic confidence, leadership skills, and exposure to postsecondary education and career opportunities.

> Backbone and Convening Role: MVUL serves as a trusted integrator— connecting residents to opportunity, aligning stakeholders around shared goals, and helping translate regional economic growth into tangible benefits for families and neighborhoods.

EMERGE emphasizes early workforce readiness, mentorship, and pathways from education to employment, particularly for youth who may lack access to traditional networks of opportunity.

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth MVUL works to strengthen Black-owned businesses and ensure they can compete, scale, and thrive in the regional economy. > Our Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship provides technical assistance, coaching, and connections to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs, with a focus on historically underutilized and undercapitalized firms.

OUR VISION We envision a Miami Valley where race no longer predicts economic outcomes; where Black families have access to quality jobs, thriving businesses, and generational wealth; and where the region’s prosperity is inclusive and shared. Grounded in history and focused on the future, the Miami Valley Urban League remains committed to advancing opportunity, equity, and dignity—today and for generations to come.

> MVUL, alongside the Entreprenuers’ Center, co-hosts the IBROC (Innovative Business Resource Opportunity Center) to strengthen Dayton’s business ecosystem to better support our small businesses – from startup to scale to succession.

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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR When I reflect on the State of Black Dayton, I carry with me the voices, stories, and strength of a people who have weathered storms—both visible and unseen—and continue to move forward with purpose. I think about grandparents who raised families while working two jobs. Young professionals navigating systems not designed with them in mind. Entrepreneurs finding a way forward when the odds were stacked against them. These are the people who give Dayton its rhythm. They are the reason this report exists.

When we began this journey to deliver an updated “State of Black Dayton” report, our goal was straightforward but ambitious: to bridge where we were when the report was last released, document how far we have come, and what it will take to sustain prosperity in a rapidly changing environment. What we did not anticipate was how much the conditions surrounding this work would shift—not only in our community, but in the broader systems that shape how equity-focused data, community voice, and public investment are supported.

The last “State of Black Dayton” report was released in 2017. In the years since, our community has lived through events that reshaped daily life and tested resilience at every level.

As this report took shape, priorities changed. Resources tightened. Expectations around how community institutions operate became more complex. Yet through it all, the need for clear, grounded, community-based analysis only grew stronger.

The 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes altered entire neighborhoods overnight.

The Oregon Historic District tragedy later that summer shook our sense of safety. Then the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted work, school, health care, and connection itself—revealing deep gaps in broadband access, transportation, health equity, and digital inclusion. Black residents carried a disproportionate share of this burden as frontline workers, caregivers, and essential employees.

This report honors the legacy of Black Dayton while issuing a call—to align institutions, investments, and leadership around a shared vision of prosperity that includes everyone. Because when communities are given the tools, trust, and opportunity to lead, they do not just recover—they rise.

These events not only affected households—they changed how institutions operate, how public dollars flow, and how communities are expected to document, justify, and compete for the resources needed to recover and grow. At the same time, shifts in policy, compliance requirements, and funding structures made long-term, equity-focused work more difficult to sustain even as the demand for it increased. That is what makes this updated “State of Black Dayton” so important.

It is not simply an update. It is a recalibration. It asks: What does progress look like when the ground beneath us is moving? How do communities maintain momentum when the rules, resources, and expectations keep changing?

At the Miami Valley Urban League, we have walked alongside the community through each of these transitions. We have helped workers reskill for new industries. We have supported entrepreneurs navigating new capital systems.

We have connected families to financial tools, health access, and civic participation. This work has never been about temporary relief—it has always been about building durable pathways to opportunity.

The theme of this report—Resilience & Renewal—is not symbolic. It reflects lived reality. Resilience is the ability to adapt without losing your direction.

Renewal is the work of rebuilding systems so they serve people better than before.

We were made for a time such as this.

Let this report stand not only as documentation, but as an invitation—to understand, to engage, and to act. With collaboration, accountability, and persistence, the future for Blacks in this region can be one of shared growth, stability, and equity.

Nikol Miller Executive Director

This region has shown, time and again, that it is not defined by disruption. It is defined by determination.

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The State of

Black Dayton

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Dr. Debra Brathwaite, Del Mar Encore Fellow Montgomery County, located in southwest Ohio and home to Dayton, Kettering, Centerville, Huber Heights, and other municipalities, is a diverse urban-suburban region. Like most regions, some African Americans are thriving while others continue to face complex challenges, disparities, and inequities.

There are signs of progress, resiliency, and renewal.

According to the “Dayton Region Economic Development Strategy,” the Dayton region has experienced economic momentum in the past decade, as evidenced by a 4.9% increase in jobs; a 3.4% reduction in unemployment; a 25.5% increase in per capita income; and a 19.7% increase in median household income. Now it is developing a reputation as an emerging tech market. Site Selection magazine recently ranked Dayton the third emerging market for tech talent in the country as more businesses leverage the technical expertise at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), as well as the National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC).

But progress is uneven, especially for African Americans, and racial inequality remains. Sixty-nine percent of Blacks in the region have low to very low health outcomes because they live in neighborhoods with older housing stock, fewer health care resources, and limited access to quality education.

Resilience and Renewal: Charting the Future for Black Dayton 10

More work needs to be done to help Black-owned businesses gain access to capital and develop businesses in high-revenue sectors like manufacturing, construction, information technology, and software development.

The gap is quite evident after looking at revenues of Black-owned businesses versus white-owned businesses in the Dayton Region. Average annual revenue for a Blackowned business in Dayton is approximately $35,000 compared to $650,000 for white-owned businesses. The Miami Valley Urban League (MVUL) is dedicated to creating a more equitable, future-focused environment for all citizens.

The “State of Black Dayton” report is one way the League shows its commitment to equity and is leading the movement for change.

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Resilience and Renewal: Charting the Future of Black Dayton The 2026 edition of the “State of Black Dayton” report entitled, “Resilience and Renewal: Charting the Future of Black Dayton,” examines progress and documents current trends that affect the lives of Black people in the areas of Education; Digital Access; Criminal Justice; Economic Development; Housing; and Health and Wellness.

It also highlights promising transformational efforts that should be scaled for sustainability. Through focus groups, analysis, and recommendations, we hope to chart the future for Blacks in Montgomery County. A number of efforts to deal with intractable problems are working. For example: > Investing in early childhood education works. According to data from Preschool Promise, children in Dayton-area Preschool Promise sites tested better as fully ready for kindergarten than their peers in non-Preschool Promise sites. > Dayton’s efforts through its Dayton Recovery Plan to add new housing options, improve blighted neighborhoods, plus support small businesses and Black and Brown businesses is a win for families and entrepreneurs in the center city. > The Dayton Arcade – a historic structure in the heart of downtown Dayton - is back, fully redeveloped with a mixture of office; event; hotel; residential; retail; and restaurant amenities that draws on the strength of its community partners and presents a model of innovation. > Equity-based efforts in the court system are driving measurable progress.

Pretrial incarceration rates of African Americans in Montgomery County are declining because of the adoption of risk-based evaluations and revised bond practices Now we must be willing to build new partnerships and make bold data-informed decisions to develop solutions that will chart an equitable future for all Black people in the region. The time is now to provide opportunities to those individuals who have been marginalized.

Diversity in Montgomery County Black residents constitute approximately 22% of Montgomery County’s population, which is a significant presence. Diversity in the county has shifted as an increasing number of Blacks have settled in suburban communities and Hispanic and Asian populations have grown. Huber Heights is a great example. In 2010, Huber Heights’ white population was 79.6% and the Black population was 13.0%. After the 2020 census, data shows the white population dipped to 70.7% and the Black population increased to 15.3%.

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Population shifts HUBER HEIGHTS POPULATION SHIFT do not negate Race 2010 Census 2020 Census entrenched White 79.6% 70.7% challenges still faced by some Black/African American 13% 15.3% African Americans Asian 2.5% 3.1% in the region.

2 or more races 3.5% 6.2% For example, 70% of preschool Hispanic/Latino 3.1% 3.9% children living in Montgomery County, according to Preschool Promise, live in families earning less than $42,000 annually. Another devastating statistic is that Black babies in Montgomery County die at more than twice the rate of white babies, which contributes to the County’s infant mortality rate per 1,000 births being higher than the state average. Those statistics are unacceptable.

To move the region forward, faith-based organizations; elected officials; nonprofits; health care systems; preschool, K-12, and higher education institutions; financial and economic development organizations; and the courts must think big, focus on best practices to accelerate results, and build coalitions for maximum impact.

FOUR EVENTS THAT IMPACTED THE REGION Over the last few years there have been several major catastrophes that have detrimentally impacted the lives of Black people in the Dayton region. Four such events stand out: the 2018 closure of Premier Health’s Good Samaritan Hospital; the 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes; the 2019 mass shooting in the Oregon Historic District; and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Closure of Premier Health’s Good Samaritan Hospital The closure of Good Samaritan Hospital in 2018 had a profound impact on Black residents living in the neighborhoods surrounding the hospital and in West Dayton. Good Samaritan was the closest hospital for 38,600 people in the area – 75 percent of them African American, according to a federal civil rights complaint filed after the decision to close the facility. Its closing left the Dayton VA Medical Center in West Dayton and Grandview Medical Center (now known as Kettering Health Dayton) as neighborhood hospitals. Miami Valley Hospital is five miles away.

A Maternity Ward. Gone. An Emergency Room. Gone. Some physician practices. Gone. A major employer for the neighborhood. Gone.

Today, the Northwest Health and Wellness Campus at Premier Health YMCA is on the hospital site, featuring an urgent care instead of a full-service hospital.

Clergy and some residents continue to push for a new hospital to be built.

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2019 Memorial Day Tornadoes On Memorial Day in 2019, 19 tornadoes tore through several communities around Dayton to include Brookville, Trotwood, Northridge, and Riverside. Many of these areas had significant Black and low-income populations, therefore, the impact on Black residents reflected a pattern of disproportionate hardship.

According to a FEMA impact report, approximately 6,000 homes were damaged with 1,200 destroyed. As a result of the tornadoes, affected Black citizens experienced: > Housing loss, since entire apartment complexes and older, more affordable, homes were left uninhabitable, displacing hundreds of residents. > Higher rents as those impacted scrambled for limited available units. > Mortgage loan denials, which made it more difficult for Black people to rebuild. > Trauma, caused by the tornadoes, which led to a greater need for mental health services.

Mass Shootings in the Oregon Historic District In August of 2019, a gunman killed nine people and injured 27 others in Dayton’s Oregon Historic District. Although an investigation found that the shooting was not racially motivated and it was not classified as a hate crime, the resulting trauma impacted the community at large and Black people in particular. Of the nine people killed, six were Black. This is a disproportionate impact that was not emphasized in news reporting, which led to feelings of invisibility and a lack of acknowledgement.

The horrific event shocked everyone’s sense of security. The tragedy brought into focus issues of inequity in public safety and trauma response as it relates to the Black community.

COVID-19 Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of life across the United States and the world. This health emergency exposed inequities in access to health care, insurance coverage, and the effect of racism in the medical field. Nationally, the early COVID-19 death rate for African Americans was 97.9 for every 100,000, which was double the 46.6 rate per 100,000 for white Americans. Later data showed even higher cumulative rates.

In Montgomery County, especially Dayton, the pandemic had disproportionate and significant effects on Black residents, mirroring trends from across the country. For example:

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> Even though African Americans represent 21.5% of Montgomery County’s population, they comprised 35.5% of COVID cases, driven by higher exposure rates and preexisting health disparities. > African American vaccination rates lagged behind their white peers. In the early stages of vaccine availability only 13% of COVID-19 vaccines in the county had gone to Black residents. > While as many as 3,800 K-12 students in Montgomery County experienced internet insecurity when the pandemic surged, that number included more than 1,000 Trotwood students and reports indicate that around 600 Dayton Public School students lost all school contact. > Dayton’s minority population suffered higher levels of job and housing loss. Because this population tended to work in entry-level service positions, they were often some of the first to be terminated as COVID’s grip forced organizational closures.

Each of these events continue to have lingering and long-term impacts to segments of the population. Data and statistics only tell part of the story. Our goal and mission is to help the community understand the why behind those statistics so we all can help create vibrant communities where all individuals, families, and businesses are thriving.

As we examine the six areas of this report – Education; Digital Access; Criminal Justice; Economic Development; Housing; and Health and Wellness you will understand the profound impact they have on the lives of Black residents in Montgomery County. These areas need to be examined through an equity lens.

They do not exist in an isolated way, but are interconnected.

Education Children who live in stable neighborhoods and who have access to healthy food are more likely to grow into healthy, productive adults than children who do not have access to these resources. Education drives economic mobility, health outcomes, and civic participation.

According to diversitydatakids.org’s Child Opportunity Index and Learn to Earn Dayton’s Thriving Neighborhoods dashboard, all of the neighborhoods with a higher concentration of resources and a favorable environment that would promote well-being are north and south of Dayton.

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Other factors that contribute to underperformance include: > Black students in the Dayton region face significant academic achievement gaps compared to their peers in other communities, with disparities in graduation rate, standardized test scores, and access to advanced coursework. This is true especially for Black males. > In the region, preschool Black children experience low kindergarten readiness and early literacy gaps.

In looking at the educational level of African American adults, approximately 85% of African American adults in Dayton have completed high school or obtained a GED. The national average is 89% for African Americans. Although there are many higher education opportunities in Montgomery County, only 21% of African American adults in Dayton hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, while the national average is 27%. Future job growth is dependent on a skilled labor force requiring post-secondary education or credentials.

Several initiatives shown to improve outcomes for Black students and to accelerate student success: Montgomery County’s children are starting their educational journey with barriers. More than 70% of preschool children live in families earning less than $42,000 annually and the majority of whom are children of color.

As for local school-age students, when compared with their Ohio peers, Montgomery County students lag behind Ohio when looking at critical K-12 milestones such as third grade reading and eighth grade math.

A look at Black student outcomes in Montgomery County from 2020 to 2024, across six Learn to Earn milestones, shows African American students lagged behind in every category every year compared to all Montgomery County students.

Educational options in the county are vast. There are 16 public school districts in Montgomery County, plus parochial, religious, and charter school options. The broader region is also home to a number of two-year and four-year colleges and universities – including Wilberforce University and Central State University, Ohio’s two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) – ­ and trade and technical schools. Dayton Public Schools (DPS), which is the largest of the public-school districts, consistently underperforms academically compared to neighboring districts in Montgomery County due to a combination of systemic, socioeconomic, and organizational factors. Over 90% of DPS students are economically disadvantaged, compared to 25-50% in most suburbs. The story behind the numbers can be attributed to the fact that schools serving Black children often experience underfunding and a lack of resources, impacting the quality of education.

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> Growing access to high-quality preschool. Preschool Promise, an initiative to prepare three- and four-year-olds to be kindergarten ready, is a success story in the county and an example in Ohio. > Providing broader access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, like Dayton Public Schools’ partnership with Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL), where all high schools are transitioning into career academies. > Schools focusing on the growth of business partnerships to develop more workforce-ready skills. > Higher ed institutions and educational nonprofits providing more wraparound supports and services to address non-academic barriers to college enrollment and college completion.

Digital Access Access to high-speed internet is a necessity in today’s world. For businesses and entrepreneurs, digital access and e-commerce serve as a gateway to market access, scalability, and sustainability. For tens of thousands of Montgomery County residents, high-speed internet allows access to health records, government services, class curriculums, and employment. Yet Montgomery County is among the top 10 Ohio counties where 50 percent of the state’s households without internet subscriptions are located. Here in Montgomery County, about 30,000 households have a cellular data plan with no other type of internet subscription, and 10,500 households are totally without internet access, according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

The top four populations with the greatest need, according to the Ohio Digital Opportunity Plan, are: rural; people aged 60 or over; households with incomes at or below 150% (of the federal poverty line); and racial and ethnic minorities.

Local examples support that. In the city of Dayton, the percent of people age 65 and older without a computer in the household is 20.4%, which is double the U.S. average. Historical data from the City of Dayton indicates that high-poverty neighborhoods in West and Northwest Dayton are in the deepest cracks of the

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digital divide in the region. That includes some households in zip codes: 45405, 45406, 45402, 45414, 45417.

It is critical that connectivity and digital access be a priority if the Dayton region is to move forward into the future.

Approximately 89% of county households subscribe to broadband which is on par with national averages, however, some communities fall below. Dayton City is at 76%, Trotwood at 75.8%, and Moraine at 75.9%. Device ownership is at 89.6% in households owning a desktop/laptop or smart phone. This percentage is slightly lower than the national average of 90.3%.

Criminal Justice Black residents who live in Dayton experience higher rates of violent crime victimization and express lower levels of trust in law enforcement’s responsiveness and fairness, according to crime statistics and resident surveys.

Black youth remain disproportionately affected by violent crime, particularly gunrelated incidents, highlighting the ongoing need for both public safety efforts and community engagement strategies. In 2024, nearly 60% of violent crime victims in Dayton, and more specifically, 80% of homicide victims were Black.

According to the Police Scorecard project, analysis of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office’s arrest data from 2013 to 2023 shows that Black people were 2.6x more likely and Latinx people were 0.8x more likely than a white person to be arrested for low-level, non-violent offenses such as drug offenses, disorderly conduct, and vandalism.

In Montgomery County, especially in Dayton, Black residents are disproportionately affected by the digital divide (the gap caused by unequal access individuals or communities have to high-speed internet, computers and smartphones). For digital equity to exist we must understand the following: > Many Black households in Dayton still lack affordable, reliable broadband. > Connectivity must be understood as a necessary priority for Blacks in Dayton, not just by stakeholders but also by residents.

The state of Ohio and Montgomery County have acknowledged the inequities that exist due to limited digital access. Efforts like the following are working to close the gap: > Montgomery County has worked to expand fiber networks in the northern part of the county and to increase broadband to rural areas on the western and northern edges of the county where gaps exist. > In July 2023, the county published the “Montgomery County Broadband Plan” (Strategic Plan) to develop a comprehensive broadband community assessment.

Although the plan did not specifically target race or the Black community, both Trotwood and West Dayton—two predominantly African American communities— were highlighted in the plan as priority areas. > The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) and Montgomery County Digital Equity Coalition have worked on broadband expansion issues focusing on increasing connectivity for education, jobs, and health care, particularly in underserved communities.

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Data shows that African Americans still suffer from a clear pattern of racial disparities whether in arrests or as victims of violent crime. Too many African Americans are dying from gun violence locally and in Ohio. Using 2023 data, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Gun Violence Solutions reports that in Ohio: > Black people were 16 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts > Young Black males, ages 15-34, made up 2% of Ohio’s population, but accounted for 39% of all gun homicide deaths in 2023 > Black females were 11 times as likely to die by gun homicide than white females.

In 2025, the Dayton City Commission Office launched the PEACE Campaign to reduce violence in the community. The PEACE Campaign is structured around community engagement, youth development, and violence reduction, emphasizing sustained, evidence-based efforts.

Across Montgomery County, significant strides have been made to foster a more equitable system of justice. Dayton Municipal Court and Montgomery County Common Pleas Court have undergone significant policy action targeting disparities impacting Black and low-income residents in the system.

Some of the highlights include: > Because of updated bond schedules, revised court practices, and the introduction of risk-based release evaluations, the pretrial incarceration of African American residents by Montgomery County Courts has decreased by 28% since 2018.

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> Dayton Municipal Court’s Regional Mental Health Court Docket, known as Access II, is now a countywide certified program that combines judicial supervision with community-based behavioral health services to promote recovery, reduce recidivism, and enhance public safety. Participants follow individualized treatment plans. Probation supervision generally lasts two years, and upon successful completion, the participant’s plea of guilty is vacated. As of 2024, approximately 900 people had been accepted into the program. > Data from the Dayton Bar Association and Legal Aid of Western Ohio show that more African Americans are gaining access to competent legal counsel. > The Dayton Municipal Court Clerk’s Office has partnered with community organizations to host events where residents could get expungement support, traffic amnesty, eviction record sealing, and civil legal guidance—addressing everyday legal issues that can prevent residents from accessing employment or housing.

These efforts shift the court system away from punitive measures towards restorative justice programs and cultural competency in judicial practices. Although much work is still needed in the court system, there is measurable progress.

Economic Development Black households in Montgomery County have significantly lower median net worth compared to white households as decades of systemic racism, redlining, and exclusion from wealth-building opportunities continue to impact families’ potential. In order to create economic opportunities in Black communities and to build generational wealth, barriers to homeownership, affordable housing, business support, and access to capital must be eliminated. The challenges include: > There is a significant gap in economic development opportunities within predominantly Black neighborhoods, contributing to disparities in job creation, local investment, and access to commercial infrastructure. > Montgomery County is struggling with a skills gap—many residents lack credentialing beyond high school (approximately 42% hold an associate degree or higher). As a result, fields that require technical skills—cybersecurity, data analytics, IT, engineering, and health sciences—are experiencing increasing demand with insufficiently qualified candidates. > Ninety percent of Black-owned businesses are sole proprietorships with no employees other than the owner. In contrast, non-Black owned businesses are more likely to have employees, larger gross receipts and operate in higher-revenue industries.

The barriers to economic development, income and wealth accumulation are real, however, there are steps that can be taken and have been taken to dismantle these barriers. Some examples: > Private and public investments are driving new construction and redevelopment in communities that have not seen growth in decades. > The Dayton Recovery Plan, funded by $138M in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, has outlined priorities that will dedicate millions of dollars to improve neighborhoods; support Black and Brown-owned businesses; and aid small business recovery.

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> Last year, the Inclusive Business Recovery Opportunity Center (IBROC) opened. An initiative funded by the City of Dayton in partnership with key organizations, such as the Miami Valley Urban League, IBROC streamlines access to resources for the entrepreneurial community and serves as a convener and capacity builder. > Local educational institutions—including Sinclair Community College, University of Dayton, and Wright State University—anchor training pipelines to high-demand fields.

As we look to the future, economic development for Black residents in Montgomery County must be grounded in addressing historic and systemic inequities. A serious economic agenda must include, support for Black-owned businesses; prioritizing the use of Black-owned vendors; establishing culturally competent business incubators in Black neighborhoods; increasing opportunities and resources for homeownership; and providing living wage jobs with benefits and upward mobility.

Housing Homeownership remains one of the most important drivers of wealth accumulation in America, particularly for families of color. In Montgomery County, the overall homeownership rate is approximately 64.7%, but the Black homeownership rate is only about 41%. Within the City of Dayton, overall homeownership is about 48.2% and Black homeownership is approximately 35.6%.

These numbers reveal a troubling truth: access to housing stability and wealth building through homeownership is not evenly distributed across Montgomery County. It is structured by income, race, and ZIP code.

Over the last decade, Dayton’s Black population declined while Black populations in surrounding suburbs grew. Between 2010 and 2020, among the 29 largest communities in the Dayton region, 22 experienced double- or triple-digit growth in their Black populations even as the City of Dayton lost Black residents. Montgomery County’s overall Black population grew modestly, reflecting not out-migration but redistribution within the county.

Montgomery County and the Dayton region are often described as being “affordable” when compared to national averages. Median home values in late 2025 were approximately $152,933 in Dayton, $272,450 in Kettering, and $204,650 across Montgomery County, compared to a national median between $410,000 and $435,000. Rents are also lower than in many large metropolitan areas.

Yet this apparent affordability masks a deeper crisis. Significant challenges still exist around the availability of diverse housing types, the affordability for lowincome residents, the accessibility of certain units, and the habitability of older stock. A person’s ZIP code is often a stronger predictor of health, income, and life expectancy than genetics. In Montgomery County, life expectancy in parts of West and Northwest Dayton is more than a decade shorter than in communities just a few miles away.

According to CityWide Development Corporation’s 2024 annual report, “As the cost of housing and rent continues to increase, quality affordable housing for all income levels is critical for keeping communities stable and economically integrated.

Additionally, housing affordability at all income levels can support workforce development and talent attraction strategies for local businesses.”

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When house prices rise faster than wages, fewer people can afford to buy homes which increases the demand for rental units, which drives up rent prices.

These increases affect Black residents because: > Blacks in the region are more likely to experience discriminatory practices, evictions, rent burden, poor housing conditions, and homelessness. > Home ownership is still elusive for many Black families as house prices rise faster than wages.

There are several initiatives that seek to stabilize housing, prevent evictions and revitalize neighborhoods in several ways: > Down payment assistance programs in Dayton, Montgomery County, and Kettering help first-time buyers bridge the gap to homeownership. Habitat for Humanity continues to provide affordable mortgages tied to household income. > On the rental side, more than 500 new or rehabilitated apartment units are under development through projects such as Hoover Place, Grand Place, Germantown Crossing, HoM Flats, and others. > Right-to-Counsel and eviction record sealing programs are beginning to stabilize renters in Dayton, while coordinated homelessness systems and HOMEARP investments are expanding supportive housing and rental assistance.

Housing in Montgomery County — especially in West and Northwest Dayton — reflects a long history of disinvestment, exclusion, and unequal opportunity. These forces continue to shape where families can live, whether they can build wealth, and how long they are likely to live.

Expanding access to safe, affordable, and stable housing — both in historically disinvested neighborhoods and in high-opportunity areas — is essential to closing racial gaps in health, wealth, and stability.

Health and Wellness African Americans in the Dayton region - from babies to seniors – experience disproportionate health outcomes. When compared to white Montgomery County residents and the county as a whole, African Americans also have higher death rates from chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and strokes.

When looking at age-adjusted death rates per 100,000 in Montgomery County, the biggest disparity among chronic disease deaths is for heart disease. Blacks died at a rate of 273.7 per 100,000 versus all residents at 199 per 100,000 in 2022-2023. For diabetes, African Americans died at a rate of 52 per every 100,000 county residents compared to the overall county death rate for diabetes of 27.6 per 100,000.

Access to care is critically important to health outcomes whether that means having medical specialists located nearby or health insurance to pay for service. Having reliable and regular access to health services can prevent disease and disability, provide early detection and treatment of illnesses, and increase the quality and longevity of a person’s life.

In Montgomery County, Black residents are more likely to be uninsured or have public coverage, such as Medicaid, when compared to white residents. Just over half of all children, ages 18 and under, in the county are Medicaid insured and just under 44,000 county residents are insured through the Medicaid Expansion program, which extends coverage to additional low-income adults under age 65.

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The region is seeing a rise in mental health and behavioral health services.

While specific Dayton data is limited, national trends suggest Black individuals in Ohio may face greater barriers to accessing mental health services than white individuals, despite similar desires to seek care for serious mental illness. Factors like socioeconomic status, a shortage of culturally competent providers, and systemic issues contribute to disparities. Because of the disparities, Black residents often utilize emergency rooms more frequently due to lack of consistent care and experience a higher unmet need for services.

In 2023, the Behavioral Health Task Force (appointed by Montgomery County Commissioners) reported a 26% increase in emergency room visits between 2019 and 2023, citing the 2019 tornadoes and the subsequent Oregon Historic District mass shooting as contributing factors. This statistic references clients overall, but it can be inferred by the significant number of minorities residing in those most impacted areas that minority and marginal residents were more affected.

Stereotypes, discrimination, and a lack of culturally relevant care options create additional obstacles to mental health and addiction care for Black residents. There is a significant shortage of culturally competent and Black mental health providers in communities of color, which can create barriers to trust, utilization, and adherence to treatment for the Black community.

In addition to considering the chronic illnesses that plague Black adults in the region it is also important to look at maternal and infant health. In 2024, 44 babies in Montgomery County died before their first birthday. That number translates to an infant mortality rate of 7.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is higher than the state average of 6.6 and higher than the national average of 5.5 deaths per 1,000 live births.

There are several health and wellness initiatives taking place in Montgomery County to improve health outcomes for Black residents include:

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> Ohio approved Medicaid coverage for doula services in October 2024.

The Health Activation Think Tank (HATT), through the University of Dayton’s Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, invests in Black doulas through community-based training cohorts that support sustainable doula businesses and engages in statewide policy advocacy to improve doula access and reimbursement. > In November 2025, Dayton residents voted to approve a property tax levy that will generate $2 million annually as seed money to fund a new public hospital because of the void felt by the 2018 closing of Good Samaritan Hospital after more than 85 years serving the community. > This spring, Dayton Children’s Hospital opened a West Dayton pediatric urgent care near the former Desoto Bass public housing complex.

The conversations were designed to elevate lived experiences and identify recurring themes impacting Black residents across the region. While not intended to serve as scientific surveys, these sessions provided valuable qualitative insight into how individuals experience systems related to education, health, housing, economic opportunity, digital access, and criminal justice. The themes and recommendations included in the following section reflect patterns that consistently emerged across multiple conversations and community perspectives.

The information in this report will help all citizens in the region chart an equitable and prosperous future for Black residents which will help all people who live, work and play here thrive. Contributors have shared initiatives, recommendations and suggestions for doable action steps. By taking decisive action in the areas of need, we will move the region forward.

> The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) plans to build a new state-run behavioral health hospital, called the Miami Valley Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, in Montgomery County, at the former Hara Arena site. The project will add 208 beds for intensive inpatient treatment to help individuals with serious mental illness.

IN CONCLUSION To help inform the State of Black Dayton, the Miami Valley Urban League convened a series of community conversations and listening sessions across Dayton and Montgomery County in partnership with JAYRAMON LLC. These conversations brought together residents, educators, youth, business owners, faith leaders, healthcare professionals, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders to share their experiences, concerns, and aspirations related to the issues explored throughout this report.

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OVERVIEW OF

THE REGION

MONTGOMERY COUNTY: GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY & FUTURE Montgomery County is located in southwest Ohio, approximately 50 miles north of Cincinnati, 70 miles west of Columbus, and 90 miles east of Indianapolis. It is the most populous county in the Miami Valley and functions as the region’s economic, transportation, and institutional hub.

The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) serves a multicounty region that includes Montgomery, Greene, and Miami counties, as well as portions of Warren County. However, this analysis focuses specifically on Montgomery County, which contains the majority of the region’s population, employment, infrastructure, and historically disinvested communities.

As of the 2010 Census, Montgomery County had approximately 535,000 residents, representing nearly two-thirds of the Miami Valley’s total population. The City of Dayton is the county’s largest municipality and its historic urban core. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio’s largest single-site employer located in Montgomery and Greene counties, is a major driver of the regional economy.

Most people who live in Montgomery County also work in the county, although the county attracts workers from surrounding counties due to its concentration of jobs, institutions, and infrastructure.

Between 2010 and 2020, Montgomery County’s population stabilized after decades of decline, reflecting the slowing of urban population loss and modest reinvestment in older neighborhoods even as suburban growth continued elsewhere in the region.

Historic Development and Structural Inequity Montgomery County’s development was shaped by policies and practices that produced long-lasting racial and economic segregation. In the early 20th century, federal housing and lending policies reinforced racial exclusion in housing markets.

In Dayton, the Federal Housing Administration required racially restrictive covenants on most homes outside of West Dayton from 1910 through 1950, effectively confining Black residents to specific neighborhoods.

As manufacturing declined in the 1970s, Montgomery County’s urban core lost population, jobs, and wealth to newer suburban developments. These trends compounded the effects of earlier segregation, leaving many historically Black neighborhoods with reduced access to employment, quality housing, transportation, and public investment.

As a result, racial and economic segregation remain two of Montgomery County’s most significant structural challenges.

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Employment and Development Patterns Although Montgomery County’s economy has diversified beyond its manufacturing base, employment remains concentrated along historical transportation corridors, particularly Interstate 75, Interstate 70, Interstate 675, U.S. 35, and State Route 4.

These corridors connect Downtown Dayton, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton International Airport, and major industrial and commercial districts.

Over the past 50 years, development has moved outward from Dayton into suburban and fringe areas, but Montgomery County continues to contain the region’s densest employment centers and infrastructure assets.

Residential development in the county is largely low-density, with the highest concentrations in Dayton and the inner suburbs. Commercial activity is concentrated in Downtown Dayton, major shopping corridors, and key highway interchanges.

Industrial development remains heavily oriented along the I-75 corridor and the western and southern portions of the county.

DISPARITIES ACROSS OHIO MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMPARED TO OHIO’S LARGEST URBAN COUNTIES Lucas County Cuyahoga County

Franklin County

Socioeconomic Conditions and Racial Disparities Montgomery County is home to approximately 223,943 households and nearly 298,000 jobs, making it the economic engine of the Miami Valley. However, countywide averages mask deep inequalities.

Equity analyses show that a majority of Black residents in Montgomery County live in neighborhoods with low or very low Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) outcomes, including poor access to quality housing, education, health care, transportation, and economic opportunity. These conditions are far less common for White and Asian residents.

These disparities are not accidental — they are the result of decades of housing segregation, uneven infrastructure investment, and job decentralization away from Dayton’s urban neighborhoods.

Montgomery County in 2050 By 2050, Montgomery County is expected to remain the region’s primary employment center even as population growth shifts outward to surrounding counties. Within Montgomery County, development will continue along major transportation corridors — particularly I-75, I-70, I-675, U.S. 35, and State Route 49 — with increased pressure on southern and western portions of the county.

Downtown Dayton, the University of Dayton area, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and Dayton International Airport are expected to remain key anchors for employment growth. At the same time, infill development and redevelopment of underutilized industrial sites — such as former manufacturing corridors and brownfield properties — will be critical to preventing further sprawl and to revitalizing legacy neighborhoods.

Although Montgomery County’s population is projected to decline modestly by 2050, employment is expected to grow by approximately 10 percent, meaning that employers will increasingly depend on workforce development systems to prepare local residents — especially those in historically disinvested communities — to access new job opportunities.

Without intentional investment in housing, transportation, education, and workforce pathways, Montgomery County risks repeating the same patterns of spatial and racial inequality that shaped its past.

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Hamilton County

Montgomery County residents: 537,309, 4.55% of the state population

Total population of Ohio: 11,799,448

BLACK POPULATION County

Montgomery County sits in the middle of Ohio’s major urban counties across several key indicators, with a higher Black population share than the state average but lower educational attainment and median household income than larger metro areas like Franklin and Hamilton counties. While Franklin County leads in income and education, Cuyahoga and Hamilton counties have the highest Black population shares, highlighting both opportunity and equity considerations across Ohio’s urban communities.

This comparison provides important context for understanding how Montgomery County fits within the broader landscape of Ohio’s largest metropolitan regions.

Major City Population

% of state

Franklin

Columbus

1,323,807

11.2%

Cuyahoga

Cleveland

1,264,817

10.7%

Hamilton

Cincinnati

830,639

7%

Lucas

Toledo

431,279

3.6%

HOUSING

% of county

County

Homeownership

Median rent

Cuyahoga

29.3%

Cuyahoga

61.6%

$1,102

Hamilton

25.2%

Hamilton

59.4%

$1,196

Franklin

22.6%

Franklin

53.6%

$1,386

Montgomery

21.2%

Montgomery

63.3%

$1,123

Lucas

19.7%

Lucas

61.8%

$947

Ohio

12.5%

Ohio

68%

$1,090

WITHOUT HEALTHCARE INSURANCE Franklin County

Ohio Total

6.4%

Total

8.8%

Black

8%

Black

11.2%

Cuyahoga County

Montgomery County Total

6.5%

Total

7.6%

Black

6.4%

Black

9.2%

Lucas County

Hamilton County Total

7.7%

Total

8.6%

Black

8.3%

Black

11%

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EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AGE 25 AND OLDER Franklin County

Montgomery County

Total population High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

7% 26.7% 15.9%

Black population High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

31.5% 7.3% 16.2% 9.1%

High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

Franklin County

Franklin County $75,176

Black

28.5% 22.8%

$54,220

18.2% 13.8%

Hamilton County $72,470

Black

56% higher than county rate

$48,576

Total

11.6%

Cuyahoga County

6.9%

$64,468

Black

87% higher than county rate

Total

35% less than county median

Montgomery County

76% higher than county rate

Total

42% less than county median

Lucas County

Total population

Total population

Total

High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

23.3% 17.8% 9.2% 25.3% 17.3%

Black population High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

23.5% 10.4% 13% 8.6%

High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

Ohio

Total population

Total population 26.6% 20.2% 7.7% 21.6% 15.7%

Black population High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

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High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

73% higher than county rate

$38,023

Total

17.7% 32.1%

Black

39% less than county median

9.8%

26.9%

Lucas County $62,224

Black

21.9%

81% higher than county rate

19.5%

Ohio

11.7%

Black population 30.9%

Cuyahoga County High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

29.4%

15%

Black

$38,616

Lucas County

27.6%

Montgomery County $66,139

Hamilton County

16.1%

Black

$41,875

Black

28%

Cuyahoga County

Total

Total

15%

Black

33% less than county median

10.9%

23.4%

Black

Hamilton County

Total 28.4% 28.4%

14.7%

Total

28% less than county median

10%

Black population 25.8%

POVERTY RATE

Total

Total population 22.9% 18.8%

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Ohio $71,389

Total 33.9% 27.6% 12.9%

$45,827

Black

35% less than state median

Total Black

12.8% 26.6% 107.8% higher than state rate

8.9% 5.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey, 5-year estimates

31.3% 19.4% 9.1% 19.9% 12.5%

Black population 31.4% 26.3% 9.2% 12.2% 8.3%

High School Some College Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate

31.5% 26.3% 9.4% 12.7% 8.4%

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COMMUNITY VOICES What We Heard from the Community Participants consistently described education as the foundation for longterm opportunity and economic mobility. Community members emphasized that barriers often begin before kindergarten due to the lack of affordable childcare and early learning opportunities. Schools were also described as increasingly responsible for addressing trauma, poverty, and mental health challenges that affect student success.

Residents noted persistent inequities between schools serving wealthier neighborhoods and those serving under-resourced communities.

Transportation barriers and limited awareness of available programs were cited as challenges preventing students from accessing tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment opportunities. Participants also emphasized that students benefit when parents, educators, and community organizations work collaboratively rather than in isolated systems.

Why It Matters Educational disparities contribute to long-term differences in employment opportunities, health outcomes, and economic mobility. Without coordinated support systems that address both academic and social needs, many students face structural barriers that limit their potential.

Community-Informed Recommendations > Expand access to early childhood education and affordable childcare > Increase school-based mental health and counseling services > Strengthen mentoring and career pathway programs > Improve transportation access to educational opportunities > Enhance coordination between schools, nonprofits, and families

HOW ARE

THE CHILDREN?

Trusted Community Partners Mentioned Dayton Public Schools, Preschool Promise, Dayton Metro Library, University of Dayton, Omega CDC, Boys & Girls Club, Miami Valley Urban League.

THE STATE OF EDUCATION

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THE STATE OF EDUCATION Education plays a central role in shaping life outcomes and community stability. It is a determinant of economic mobility, health outcomes, and civic participation. For many local Black residents, access to consistent high-quality educational opportunities has been elusive and shaped by longstanding structural inequities. Historically, this has been the story not only for our community but across the nation.

According to the McKinsey & Company report, “Advancing racial equity in US pre-K-12 education,” “The opportunity gap in public education between white students and students of color has persisted throughout our nation’s history. When free public education began to spread in the early 19th century, children of color were often excluded.

When they did gain access, they were often segregated and underserved.” Today, students of color are still segregated and underserved and that has led to troubling outcomes especially for Black students nationally and locally.

As we examine several educational indicators for Blacks in the region – spanning early childhood readiness; K-12 outcomes; postsecondary attainment; and adult educational achievement – and also look at factors such as the impact of poverty rates, teacher diversity, and natural disasters that have occurred over time, data-informed understanding will be provided.

Findings will explain why disparities persist and where progress has been made. Patterns will emerge that will be essential to advancing equity and informing strategies that support Black learners across generations.

Learn to Earn Dayton, a nonprofit, regional intermediary organization that serves as a convener and data steward for Montgomery County, assists with identifying patterns by providing transparent, accessible, and actionable data on educational outcomes from “cradle-to-career.” By tracking six core academic milestones – Kindergarten Readiness; Third Grade Reading; Eighth Grade Math; High School Graduation; Postsecondary Enrollment; and Postsecondary Completion – a predictive framework is created for tracking student success.

As we proceed to examine educational outcomes in the region, Learn to Earn cautions against comparing academic achievement among students in different districts within the county since enabling conditions and economic realities vary by community and create different environments for learning.

Although comparisons should not drive decision-making, the data show that

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there are persistent and unacceptable disparities in outcomes between Black and white students. As a community, we need to understand that there are barriers to achievement that are beyond the control of the education system such as homelessness, hunger, violence, and stress at home.

The education data presented in this section of the “State of Black Dayton” report will be a call to action to all dedicated stakeholders to come together to ensure that every student in the region has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Montgomery County Montgomery County lags behind Ohio in each of the K-12 milestones. The category with the greatest variance is Eighth Grade Math where 58% of the state’s eighth grade students were proficient in math, and 43% of Montgomery County’s students met the standard.

A look at Black student outcomes in Montgomery County from 2020 to 2024, across the six Learn to Earn milestones, shows African American students lagged behind in every category every year compared to all Montgomery County students.

The categories with the greatest disparities are Third Grade Reading and Eighth Grade Math. In 2024, 64% of the county’s third graders could read at grade level versus 42% of Black third graders. For math, the comparison was 43% versus 15%, according to Learn to Earn Dayton.

To provide some perspective, the Dayton region is majority white, non-Hispanic but with a large Black population, at approximately 21%. This local racial composition matters for equity analyses.

The median household income in the region is approximately $43,454[1] and poverty rates in the city of Dayton are substantially higher than suburban/metro averages (commonly reported in local profiles near the high 20 percent for city residents). The concentration of economically distressed neighborhoods is a core structural barrier to cradle-to-career success.

Out of the seven school districts in Montgomery County with more than 21% of African American students, Dayton has the largest population of Black students, but it also has more students overall compared to the other districts, as you can see from the chart on the next page.

Dayton also has one of the highest percentages of economically disadvantaged students, one of the lowest attendance rates and one of the lowest performances in reading and math, probably due in part to the greater number of students.

Early Childhood Education When the children are well, the community is thriving. Safety, resources, and stability follow when the youngest members are nurtured, protected, and positioned to succeed. Today, in Montgomery County, we are compelled to ask: Are the children well?

To answer, we must examine the data reflecting the educational experiences of our children—data that tells a story not only of possibility, but also of urgent and profound need, especially for Black children.

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Dayton Public

TrotwoodMadison

Jefferson Township

Huber Heights

Northmont

Northridge

MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOLS: GRADES K-12 MILESTONES

Total Enrollment

12,771

2,453

259

5,659

4,640

1,629

Black students

61.4%

82.1%

63.7%

26.5%

24.4%

32%

White students

18.6%

7.1%

12.8%

49.6%

59%

47.3%

Hispanic

13.6%

4.3%

8.1%

9.2%

4.6%

7%

Multiracial

5.7%

6%

15.4%

12.6%

9.9%

12.3%

Economically Disadvantaged

98.9%

99%

100%

64.2%

48.5%

99.8%

Attendence

86.3%

87.1%

88.2%

91%

92.9%

88.2%

Third Grade Reading

36.8%

38%

26.6%

45.4%

59.6%

38.4%

8th Grade Math

11.7%

22.4%

5.9%

25.4%

47.9%

5.8%

Overall rating

2

2.5

2

2.5

4

2.5

Source: Ohio Department of Education

Although the Brown v. Board of Education decision ended the de jure segregation of public schools, many Black children continue to face structural barriers to accessible, equitable, and high-quality education — especially for early learning.

Research indicates that contributing factors include the fact that Black children have less access to high-quality preschool compared to their white peers and the persistent lack of teacher diversity creates inequities.

[2] only about 4% of Black

According to the Southern Education Foundation, children under age six in the United States are enrolled in high-quality state pre-K programs. This is despite extensive research showing that quality early childhood education fosters critical brain development—particularly for children affected by poverty—resulting in improved cognitive outcomes, academic achievement, and lifelong success[3]. The low numbers enrolled leads to greater numbers of children unprepared for kindergarten.

Unfortunately, in Ohio, the disparity around kindergarten readiness is pronounced. According to Groundwork Ohio’s 2024 report, 80.2% of Black kindergarten-aged students were not ready for kindergarten, compared to only 57.8% of white students. The disparity is even more pronounced among Black boys, with 83.4% not meeting kindergarten readiness benchmarks as measured by the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA).

The KRA is used by the state of Ohio to determine if kindergartners are arriving at their classrooms prepared to learn. Efforts have been made to improve this outcome. One such initiative in Montgomery County is Preschool Promise.

The history of Preschool Promise traces its roots back to 2007 when community leaders turned their focus to improving children’s readiness for kindergarten. In 2016, Preschool Promise as a program was officially established. It was launched

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to improve access to high-quality early childhood education for children in the region. Preschool Promise, helps Montgomery County families find and pay for high-quality preschool. Research conducted by Preschool Promise shows a higher percentage of kindergartners attending their sites the year before kindergarten scored in the approaching and demonstrating ranges on the KRA than those who did not attend partner sites. This indicates the efficacy of attending a high-quality early childhood program.

Today, Preschool Promise supports nearly 4,000 children across more than 120 partner sites in eight of Montgomery County’s 16 school districts. The success on the KRA is true across ethnic identities. Still too few of the Preschool Promise students, 27%, score at demonstrating readiness, the highest of the readiness categories.

When looking at African American students, the percentage falls to 24% which means there is still work to be done if Black children are going to be kindergarten ready.

In Montgomery County, where more than 70% of preschool children live in families earning less than $42,000 annually and the majority of whom are children of color, these educational disparities are of urgent concern[4]. Research shows that families living in under-resourced neighborhoods experience the daily strain of unstable or low-paying employment, limited access to affordable childcare, and the rising costs of basic needs like groceries and transportation. Many parents must juggle multiple jobs or work nontraditional hours, leaving less time and energy to engage with their children during the critical early years of brain development. During the 2023–2024 school year, 5-in-10 Preschool Promise children lived in families earning under $25,000 per year, representing 47% of the children attending Preschool Promise sites. Of those children, 57% identified as African American.

Another structural barrier that Black children face in addition to limited access to high-quality early childhood programs is the lack of teacher diversity. This factor greatly influences student outcomes. A study by Johns Hopkins University found that Black students who had at least one Black teacher by third grade were 13% more likely to go to college. That number jumps to 32% for students who had two Black teachers. Beyond academic impact, teacher representation affects family engagement and student discipline. According to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Black parents and caregivers reported feeling more respected and noted their children received less exclusionary discipline when more Black teachers were present in their schools. Representation builds trust—and trust builds stronger

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educational outcomes. Yet, nationwide, 80 percent of public elementary and secondary teachers are white even as the student population gets more diverse.

Black teachers represent about 6% of all public-school teachers[5]. In response to these inequities, Preschool Promise developed two key equity-focused initiatives: the Black Boy Brilliance (BBB) Program and the Promise Scholars Program.

Launched in 2021, the Black Boy Brilliance (BBB) Program was created to address racial disparities in kindergarten readiness by placing positive Black male role models, known as ambassadors, in preschool classrooms. These ambassadors are paid volunteers that provide cultural, academic, and socio-emotional support to Black boys during a critical period in their development. In 2024, five men were placed in classrooms at various Preschool Promise sites across Montgomery County, positively impacting over 70 children. Through mentorship and culturally responsive engagement, the program fosters an environment where Black boys feel seen, supported, and encouraged to thrive.

Early qualitative data from educators and families reveal that classrooms with BBB ambassadors experience increased student engagement, positive behavioral outcomes, and improved social-emotional learning. Additionally, data from the 2023-2024 cohort indicate that Black boys in classrooms with ambassadors showed a 12% increase in KRA scores over peers in classrooms without ambassadors[6]. As a result of this initiative’s success, the program has continued to expand, with nearly 20 men fully vetted and trained to volunteer across more than 20 classrooms within the majority of Preschool Promise’s eight-district footprint.

Building on this model, the Black Girl Genius Program was launched in August 2025 to address the unique needs of preschool-aged Black girls. With over 40 women having applied to serve, Preschool Promise continues to work to increase classroom capacity to place all the volunteers. With an initial goal of placing at least 50 total ambassadors by the end of fiscal year 2025, the long-term vision is to scale the program so that at least one ambassador serves in every Preschool Promise partner site.

To address the need for more diversity in the teaching force, Preschool Promise’s Promise Scholars Program supports the professional advancement of early childhood educators. The program provides financial assistance, academic coaching, and career development for current and aspiring educators, working in Preschool Promise partner sites, who are seeking to obtain postsecondary credentials, such as a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, associate’s degree (AA), or bachelor’s degree (BA) in early childhood education. The Scholars Program prioritizes educators from underrepresented communities and ensures they have the resources needed to succeed in their credentialing journeys.

Quantitative data collected from the Scholars Program post-program survey shows significant outcomes. Of those who completed their credentialing through the program between 2022 and 2024, 78% reported an increase in their salary of an average of $4.21/hour which translates to a $8,420 increase in annual income.

Additionally, 68% of program graduates reported that participating in the Promise Scholars program was helpful to their professional outcomes due to being able to earn promotions and wage increases as a result of having earned a postsecondary credential virtually debt free.

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While Dayton is not unique in providing place-based solutions to address the kindergarten readiness gap between our Black children and their white peers, what distinguishes Dayton’s approach is the particular combination of: a longterm city and county approved funding base, Preschool Promise’s layered supports (family tuition assistance + teacher Scholars pathways), and equityfocused ambassador programs like Black Boy Brilliance/Black Girl Genius that explicitly center literacy skills, mentorship, and cultural representation.[7] Another example of preschool being reimagined is On Purpose Academy’s innovative P.U.P. (Pop Up Preschool). The P.U.P. is a transformed RV that acts as a mobile classroom year-round, traveling to underserved neighborhoods to provide high-quality early learning experiences for families who are unable to transport their children to a traditional site. The mobile classroom incorporates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities and focuses on building language, music, and movement skills. It augments the main preschool located at Aspire Church.

On Purpose Academy has added wraparound support services such as licensed social workers, a therapist, a nurse practitioner, a psychologist, and a child development specialist to help deal with the mental and behavioral health challenges they see in their preschool and kindergarten population.

Attendance Drives School Success PreK-12 Consistent attendance is a key driver of academic success. According to the most recent data from the Ohio Department of Education, 27 percent of students attending public school districts in Montgomery County are chronically absent, meaning the students have missed around 18 days of school or 10% of the school year. Statewide about a quarter of public-school students are considered chronically absent and while progress has been made, the percentage has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The six most economically distressed districts in the area have a staggering 38 percent of their students chronically absent. That number is an average for kids from kindergarten through 12th grade. Chronically absent students are 89 percent less likely to graduate on time.

Preschool attendance is also very critical although people often feel preschoolers will not miss much if they are absent for a few days. To gain the full benefit of preschool, children must attend at least 90% of the time. Yet current attendance rates fall far short of this benchmark, with clear racial disparities. Longitudinal studies show that preschool attendance can predict later high school graduation, college attendance, and even income.[8] In 2023 - 2024, the percentage of Black girls and boys who attended preschool at a rate of 90% or greater was 42% to 44% respectively. In contrast, 63% of white girls met that standard and 59% of white boys. These figures point to systemic barriers that disproportionately affect Black families—barriers such as transportation challenges, inconsistent access to health care, economic instability, and a lack of culturally responsive school environments.

The percentage of children attending preschool 90% of the time or greater fell dramatically in the post-pandemic period and has not rebounded as shown in the chart below. Last school year, half of the children attending Preschool Promise sites met the 90% attendance goal.

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Kindergarten - Grade 12 Education in Montgomery County The Dayton region continues to be on the cutting edge by strategically implementing multiple evidence-based approaches to increase kindergarten readiness and improve long-term academic outcomes for Black children through the lens of equity and culturally responsive practices.

PRESCHOOL PROMISE ATTENDANCE School Year

Attendence percentage

2019-2020

64%

2021-2022

46%

2022-2023

48%

2023-2024

49%

2024-2025

51%

Because of the growth of African American families in suburban areas, suburban districts are becoming more diverse. Seven of Montgomery County’s public-school districts, Dayton; Trotwood-Madison; Jefferson Twp.; Huber Heights; Northmont; Northridge; and West Carrollton, have Black student populations greater than the 20-21% which aligns with the percent of Black population in the county. Many of these districts have benefitted from the growing diversity.

Vouchers have an impact on where students attend school. Vouchers are a tool to provide families with more school choice options. The two primary voucher programs funded by Ohio taxpayers are the Educational Choice Scholarship (EdChoice) Program and the EdChoice Expansion Scholarship Program.

Source: Preschool Promise 2025 Annual Report

These efforts extend beyond early learning, with initiatives aimed at enhancing achievement in middle and high school through partnerships with organizations such as Omega Community Development Corporation, Dayton Public Schools, and community-based groups including the Miami Valley Urban League. Through models such as the Neighborhood School Center, students and families can access academic support, mentoring, family engagement services, and connections to resources within the school setting, helping remove barriers to learning and strengthen student success.

Additional supports, including mentoring opportunities offered through Males and Females of Color programming and the MVUL EMERGE program, help build confidence, leadership, cultural identity, and pathways to college, careers, and community engagement.

Currently about half of the students who live in Dayton attend Dayton Public Schools.[9] Enrollment in Ohio’s public schools has dropped and local school enrollment has decreased, according to an analysis by the Dayton Daily News. The rise of charter schools, the growth of state-funded private school vouchers, lower birth rates, and the rise in home schooling all have contributed to public school enrollment decline. However, Montgomery County’s two largest public districts, Dayton and Centerville, saw increases in enrollment between the 2019-2020 school year and the 2023- 2024 school year. DPS’ enrollment grew about half a percent in that time frame, which is notable because the district has seen its enrollment shrink for many years.

Dayton Public Schools, which is the largest public school district in Montgomery County, has just over 12,700 students, 27 buildings, and students who speak 35 languages and come from 54 different countries.[10] African Americans comprise 61.4 percent of the student population and Hispanic students represent 13.6 percent.

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The EdChoice program gives students enrolled at low-performing schools the opportunity to attend participating private schools. The EdChoice Expansion Scholarship Program provides state-funded scholarships to children in kindergarten through 12th grade based on income. If a family’s household income is at or below 450 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, they are awarded the maximum scholarship amount. If a family’s household income is at or above 451 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, the student can still receive a scholarship, just at a reduced amount. With the expanded program and guidelines, Ohio made every family eligible for the vouchers, regardless of income. In fiscal year 2025, Ohio spent a $1 billion on private school vouchers.[11] The future of the program is up in the air because in June 2025, a Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge ruled Ohio’s EdChoice voucher system unconstitutional. The program is ongoing while the state appeals the ruling.

According to the diversitydatakids.org, children who live in stable neighborhoods are more likely to grow into healthy, productive adults than children who do not have access to these resources. The organization’s Child Opportunity Index (COI)

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measures and maps the quality of resources that matter for children’s healthy development in the neighborhoods where they live. According to the COI and Learn to Earn’s Thriving Neighborhoods dashboard, all of the neighborhoods with a higher concentration of resources and a favorable environment that would promote well-being are north and south of Dayton.

In the latest Ohio School Report Cards, several local school districts earned improved ratings including: Kettering City School District, Mad River Local Schools, Trotwood-Madison City School District, and Jefferson Twp. Local School District.[12] The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce determines each school district’s ratings based on six components. Dayton Public Schools performed better in three of the six components. They were early literacy; progress; and college, career, workforce, and military readiness.

School districts are working to improve outcomes for all students but because of the discrepancies identified for Black students, they have been creative in developing programming to address shortfalls. One example of this is Dayton Public Schools’ new academic action plan designed to close gaps caused by systemic barriers, historic underinvestment and concentrated poverty. The plan also addresses absenteeism, improving college and career readiness and a focus on third grade reading and eighth grade math.

Because college, career and workforce readiness is a focus of DPS they have developed a partnership with Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL). As a result of this partnership all DPS high schools are transitioning to career academies aligned to the Dayton region’s economic landscape. Students will explore fields such as health sciences, IT, construction, engineering and education. This strategic move is important because Ohio needs more highly skilled credentialed workers to fill a jobs gap. The Ohio Bureau of Labor Market Information has projected that between 2018 and 2028 75% of job growth in Ohio will be in occupations requiring at least a postsecondary non-degree credential, and 58% of growth will be in occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.[13]

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

CTE students). That contrast suggests CTE pathways in the Dayton region may be an important lever — but it raises questions about who has access to high-quality CTE and how CTE participants fare after graduation.

According to the Employers’ Workforce Coalition, a Dayton Foundation initiative that supports talent development to fill workforce gaps in the Dayton region, 50,000 young people in Ohio came out of high school without a plan for college or the military. That is why employers and workforce organizations are working with high schools to build pathways to careers.

The Montgomery County Workforce Development department coordinates with Dayton Public Schools to set career pathways that boost credential attainment and close equity gaps in education, high school persistence, and postsecondary transition. The department also sponsors bootcamps, apprenticeships, and stackable credential programs in collaboration with Sinclair Community College, DPS, and local tech firms.

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected Black communities in Montgomery County, exacerbating existing education and employment gaps. Disruptions in schooling and training programs derailed many from completing credentials. Because of that, the county’s Workforce Development department had to pivot to remote career coaching and digital literacy services, but the digital divide limited reach. Health concerns and economic instability also forced many to postpone career advancement and job-search efforts.

The Federal Reserve reports that the earnings gap between college graduates and those with less education continues to widen. For people aged 22-27, those with a bachelor’s degree earned a median income of $60,000, compared to those with only a high school diploma, who earned $36,000 a year. Because many jobs of the future will require more than a diploma, local colleges and universities and certain industries are working with local school districts to create a training pipeline to get students ready for post-secondary education or some type of credentialing.

Decreasing College Enrollment

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is widespread and often a strong on-ramp to credentials and employment. Most school districts offer CTE (nearly 98% of public districts offered CTE at the high-school level in recent years) and a very large share of graduates have taken at least one CTE course (about 85% in the subject areas measured).[14] Nationally, participation in CTE is therefore a mainstream pathway — but outcomes vary by program quality and alignment to local labor markets.

Dayton Public School’s reported four-year graduation rate is approximately 71.4% (all students), while a notable program finding is that reported graduation among CTE students in district materials is much higher (reported approximately 91.9% for

Locally, the most dramatic decrease over the 10-year period has been in Black student enrollment. Among Dayton-area universities, Black student enrollment dropped 6% while other categories of student enrollment remained stable.[17]

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Across the Dayton region, full-time total enrollment at local universities has dropped 12 percent from 2014-2024.[15] During the COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands of college students nationwide left and never returned to complete their education. National research shows that the groups most affected were first-generation college students, low-income students, and community college students.[16]

The Miami Valley is home to Ohio’s two Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

(HBCUs). According to the United Negro College Fund, HBCUs make up 3% of

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the nation’s colleges and universities, but enroll 10% of all African American students and account for almost 20% of all African American graduates.

Central State University, which is an 1890 Land-Grant University and Ohio’s only public HBCU, is located in Wilberforce, and did see an enrollment increase over the 10-year period.[18] Ohio’s other HBCU, Wilberforce University, is the nation’s first private HBCU owned and operated by African Americans. Nationwide, higher education is experiencing a crisis in terms of Black male enrollment. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Black male enrollment in 2023 at HBCUs dropped to its lowest point in nearly 50 years.[19] Some point to the lack of Black public-school teachers as one reason for the low numbers

IN CONCLUSION High poverty coupled with concentrated need leads to interrupted cradle-tocareer pipelines. Areas of elevated poverty and modest household incomes create competing demands (work, housing instability, food insecurity) that can reduce school readiness, increase absenteeism, and make sustained postsecondary enrollment harder without wraparound supports. Furthermore, lower local adult educational attainment and concentrated poverty constrains both civic resources and informal supports (mentors, internships, employer networks). Policies should be geographic (target neighborhood level investments) and structural (transportation, broadband, childcare) so that opportunity doesn’t require leaving the city to access it.

While challenges persist—especially in addressing racial and economic disparities in kindergarten readiness, college attainment, and workforce development, the Dayton region’s approach stands out nationally for its integration of workforce pathways, culturally responsive mentorship, and equitable access to high quality preschool. These models show that when investment is intentional and rooted in community, the outcomes extend beyond the classroom.

Although there are challenges, there are actionable steps that we can take.

They are: > Invest in early childhood education Scale evidence-based early childhood programs and family support to high-need neighborhoods. Attention to early learning will narrow racial and income gaps before children enter K-12 grades. > Strengthen equitable CTE plus and dual credit programs in high schools Expand high-quality CTE programs at all high schools to align with local highgrowth sectors (healthcare, advanced manufacturing, IT). Ensure equitable program admission and embed stackable credentials and dual-enrollment with community colleges so students can earn college credit and industry credentials while still enrolled in high school. Examine post-graduation outcomes by race and income. > Provide wraparound supports and services Address non-academic barriers, such as transportation, childcare, housing stability, food access, mental health counseling and FAFSA/financial aid navigation. These steps boost college completion and credential acquisition. > Data collection and analysis Routinely collect relevant data and disaggregate attendance, graduation rate, college enrollment, credential completion, and credential acquisition. > Develop employer and higher-ed partnerships Formalize local employer commitments for paid internships, apprenticeshipto-hire pathways, and tuition assistance. Enhance bridge programs between Montgomery County school districts, local colleges and universities, and local employers that guarantee interview pipelines and credit articulation. > Community engagement and governance Ensure decisions are co-designed with communities most affected by changes (Black neighborhoods, low-income families etc.). Create a cradle-to-career governance structure with parents, students, schools, colleges, employers, and funders as collaborative stakeholders to improve alignment and accountability.

Dayton’s early learning landscape represents what is possible when equity, innovation, and collaboration drives educational reform. Montgomery County is fortunate to have two organizations that track student achievement and learning. Preschool Promise tracks achievement and learning from prenatal to age 5 and Learn to Earn Dayton works to transform systems through data, partnerships, and policy, to ensure all learners, from preschool students to adults, in the Dayton Region have the resources and opportunities that foster lifelong success and economic mobility. These organizations should be utilized to the fullest degree possible since their work impacts student outcomes exponentially.

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BUILDING

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

THE STATE OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS

COMMUNITY VOICES What We Heard from the Community Mental health emerged as one of the most urgent concerns raised by participants. Residents described stress related to economic hardship, housing instability, and community violence as contributing factors to declining mental well-being. Access to counseling and behavioral health services remains limited for many residents due to cost, stigma, and transportation barriers.

Participants also highlighted rising concerns related to sexual health education and preventive care. Conversations frequently referenced the role of social determinants of health—including housing, food security, and neighborhood safety—in shaping health outcomes. Many residents expressed concern about disparities in healthcare access between neighborhoods and called for more culturally responsive services.

Why It Matters Health disparities are closely tied to economic and social conditions.

Addressing healthcare access alone is not sufficient; improving community health requires coordinated strategies that address underlying social and environmental factors.

Community-Informed Recommendations > Expand accessible mental health services across communities > Increase preventive health education and outreach programs > Strengthen partnerships between healthcare systems and schools > Address social determinants of health such as housing and transportation > Promote culturally responsive healthcare practices

Trusted Community Partners Mentioned Dayton Children’s Hospital, Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County, Dayton Metro Library, faith-based organizations, Miami Valley Urban League.

Section sponsored by

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THE STATE OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS It doesn’t matter if you are talking about the COVID-19 pandemic, when African Americans proportionally had more hospital admissions and deaths from COVID-19 in our state. Or you look at the impact of fewer OBGYN physicians practicing within predominantly Black communities. Or you consider more food insecurity, and significant increases in the need for behavioral health services. It all comes down to one common fact: African Americans in the Dayton region - from babies to seniors – experience disproportionate health outcomes. When compared to white Montgomery County residents and the county as a whole, African Americans also have higher death rates from chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and strokes.

The delivery of health care services continues to evolve as the use of technology increases, inpatient care declines and outpatient and home-based care continues to grow. The same trends are happening nationwide. As inpatient care declines, hospital systems are investing in outpatient facilities for services such as imaging; outpatient surgery; physical therapy; laboratory testing; cardiology; oncology; and orthopedics, along with free-standing emergency rooms/urgent care facilities. To improve care in the future, the question that needs to be answered is, what is the care people need and what is the best way to deliver it?

Statewide, one in four Ohioans (about 3 million people) have health coverage through Ohio’s Medicaid program. Ohio Medicaid covers half of all births in Ohio, and 57% of Ohio’s infant deaths in 2022 were to mothers reporting Medicaid as their source of insurance.[21] New federal and state laws will impact the future of Medicaid. Starting in 2027, enrollees in Ohio’s Medicaid Expansion Program will have to prove eligibility every six months, versus annually, even if nothing has changed. The fear is that people will lose coverage because of missed information or errors in filling out the paperwork. Medicaid recipients are urged to open all correspondence from Medicaid immediately and follow through with all requests.

If people need help with understanding the implications, all local Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) have free outreach and enrollment counselors available to help.

Federal cuts in Medicaid could also affect access to care for local nursing home residents. The new law –“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025” – will cut billions of dollars from Medicaid over the next decade, and a Brown University analysis has labeled three nursing homes in Montgomery County as having an “elevated risk of closure” because more than 85% of their residents are covered by Medicaid; their occupancy rates are below 80%; and they have 1- or 2-star ratings on the CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System. The identified facilities are Garden Court Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Englewood Health and Rehab, and CareCore at Mary Scott.[22] To understand the big picture, you have to look broader than if having insurance improves health outcomes. Just like educational outcomes, factors called the social determinants of health (SDOH) can cause disproportionate outcomes. They are the non-clinical factors that influence health outcomes and can be grouped into five categories: health care access and quality; neighborhood and built environment; social and community context; economic stability; and education access and quality.

Access to care is critically important to health outcomes whether that means having medical specialists located nearby or health insurance to pay for service. Having reliable and regular access to health services can prevent disease and disability, provide early detection and treatment of illnesses, and increase the quality and longevity of a person’s life.

Some call West Dayton and Northwest Dayton a “health care desert,” even with Kettering Health Dayton (formerly Grandview Medical Center) and the Dayton VA Medical Center located in these Dayton areas. In Montgomery County, Black residents are more likely to be uninsured or have public coverage, such as Medicaid, when compared to white residents. Just over half of all children, ages 18 and under, in the county are Medicaid insured and just under 44,000 county residents are insured through the Medicaid Expansion program, which extends coverage to additional low-income adults under age 65.[20]

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For example, SDOH play a big factor as it relates to the percentage of Black older adults who ultimately are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Alzheimer’s, which is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior, is ravaging our older population. One in three older adults die with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.[23] African Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or dementia than white Americans. The exact reason is unknown but diabetes and hypertension, two diseases that African Americans experience at higher rates, can impact cognitive health.

Yet despite the higher prevalence for Alzheimer’s, African Americans are less likely to be diagnosed.[24] That is problematic because new approved treatments work best for those who are diagnosed early. Research shows that African Americans frequently face delays in cognitive testing and are diagnosed when the disease is advanced. Alzheimer’s Association surveys show that discrimination is a barrier to Alzheimer’s and dementia care. According to the 2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, 66 percent of Black Americans believe it is harder for them to get excellent care for Alzheimer’s or other dementias; more than half of nonwhite caregivers say they have experienced discrimination when navigating health care settings for their loved ones; and fewer than half feel confident they have access to providers who understand their ethnic background and experiences. So, concerns about health care access and quality factor heavily in the treatment of Alzheimer’s.[25]

Impact of Chronic Disease Deaths in Montgomery County According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health disparities are preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, and opportunities. There are differences in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of a disease and the related adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups, whether those groups are characterized by age; gender; race or ethnicity; income; education; disability; social class; sexual orientation; or geographic location. Health disparities are directly related to unequal distribution of resources. Overcoming health disparities can improve health outcomes for all people.

When looking at age-adjusted death rates per 100,000 in Montgomery County, the biggest disparity among chronic disease deaths is for heart disease. Blacks died at a rate of 273.7 per 100,000 versus all residents at 199 per 100,000 in 2022-2023. For diabetes, African Americans died at a rate of 52 per every 100,000 county residents compared to the overall county death rate for diabetes of 27.6 per 100,000.

The Impact of Having a Doctor and Fresh Produce Nearby Research shows that African Americans, just like other groups, are more likely to go to the doctor if the provider is close. Distance/transportation barriers disproportionately impact African Americans and reduce utilization and thus preventive care. Long distance and travel times are linked to more unmet health needs and more emergency room visits for conditions that could be handled with a primary care physician.

For example, the limited number of primary physician practices in Dayton is a symptom of the overall lack of investment in the core city. People want care close to home. Today four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), some with

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multiple locations, provide care in underserved Dayton neighborhoods. FQHCs are nonprofit clinics that provide service regardless of one’s ability to pay. Service fees are adjusted on a sliding scale. When the Edgemont campus of Five Rivers Health Center opened in 2022, it was the largest FQHC site in Ohio.

For people with private insurance plans, cost increases can impact affordability and threaten families’ well-being. In October and November 2025, the longest federal government shutdown occurred because of a stalemate over extending the premium tax credits which makes health coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace more affordable. According to Health Policy Ohio, 583,443 Ohioans benefitted from having private health insurance through the ACA marketplace in 2025.

Many of those individuals did not qualify for Medicaid but needed assistance to afford health insurance. An estimated 88 percent qualified for the subsidies.[26] Congress ultimately resolved the impasse by pursuing a multi-year extension of the enhanced premium tax credits, preventing immediate premium increases for millions of Americans and preserving affordable marketplace coverage for hundreds of thousands of Ohioans who rely on these subsidies.[27] According to county data for 2022-2023, about the same percentage of Black adults versus all adults visited a doctor for a routine checkup in the prior year. However, the percentage of Black residents who needed to see a doctor in the prior year and who could not due to cost is higher than the percentage of whites or all races.

This spring, Dayton Children’s Hospital will open a West Dayton pediatric urgent care near the former Desoto Bass public housing complex. According to hospital officials, more than 17,000 children live in the surrounding four zip codes and the hospital saw a community need because 64% of low acuity visits to its main emergency department came from those four zip codes, revealing the few options those families had for evening and weekend care for even simple complaints, like ear pain, sore throat, and stomachache.[28] According to the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board’s Behavioral Health Equity Roadmap Assessment, race and place affect well-being. Black people in Montgomery County have the highest percentages of food insecurity when compared to other races and ethnicities.[29] This means they have less access to affordable and nutritious foods.

From 2019-2022, Feeding America statistics show that Black Montgomery County residents led the county each year in terms of the percent experiencing food insecurity. Each year between 25 and 29 percent of Black residents needed food when between 11 and 13 percent of white county residents were food insecure. Progress is

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being made in West Dayton and Trotwood. Before Gem City Market opened on Salem Avenue in Northwest Dayton; Homefull’s Gettysburg Grocery Store opened off of Gettysburg Avenue in Southwest Dayton; and Gordon Food Service opened its grocery store on Salem Avenue in Trotwood, residents in those geographies had few options to buy fresh vegetables and produce. Homefull, a nonprofit, also has a mobile grocery that helps address food insecurity.

Community Votes For New Hospital in Northwest Dayton In November 2025, Dayton residents voted LIFE EXPECTENCY AT BIRTH to approve a property tax levy that will MONTGOMERY COUNTY, 2022-2023 generate $2 million annually as seed money to fund a new public hospital because of Race/Sex Age the void felt by the 2018 closing of Good White 74.9 Samaritan Hospital after more than 85 years Black 69.5 serving the community. Good Samaritan was Male 72.1 the closest hospital for 38,600 people in the area — 75 percent who are Black — and the White Male 72.1 two census tracks that were most aligned Black Male 65.5 with the hospital are 85 percent Black.[30] A civil rights complaint filed by a clergy Female 78 community group argued that the closing White Female 77.8 of the hospital, owned by Premier Health, Black Female 73.3 harmed a primarily Black service area through the loss of maternity services, the emergency Source: Montgomery County room, and other medical services. A federal investigation found that the closing of the hospital coupled with the health system’s expansion in suburban areas did not violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The health system cited empty beds, aging facilities, and redundancy of service with Miami Valley Hospital in the decision to close Good Samaritan.

The site was redeveloped into Premier Health’s Northwest Health and Wellness campus with anchor services including the Premier Health YMCA, the Miami Valley Hospital Urgent Care, and specialty clinics. After Good Samaritan closed, Kettering Health Dayton, saw a surge of patients. Other Dayton hospitals have closed. St. Elizabeth Medical Center closed in 2000; the Dayton Heart Hospital was purchased and absorbed into Good Samaritan Hospital in 2008; and the Medical Center at Elizabeth Place closed in 2020, leaving fewer emergency room options and specialty care options in Dayton. Dayton City Commission will determine if a new hospital can be built to serve West and Northwest Dayton.

How COVID-19 Deepened Health Inequities For four years, the Covid-19 pandemic tormented the health care system, leaving in its wake challenges to Dayton’s sense of mental well-being. As it wreaked havoc on the local system of care, it also illuminated the discourse about disparities in access and delivery of behavioral health services. The latest national and state findings regarding access to mental health treatment and substance use services for Black Americans offer evidence of ongoing challenges. Local data tracks lower in many areas as compared to those statistics, possibly indicative of the greater impact these issues have on larger communities due to population size and differences.

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This offers an opportunity to gain deeper understanding of current conditions and to learn about outliers, such as social determinants of health (SDOH), that often go unrecognized as influencers of mental well-being.

During the pandemic, the Dayton & Montgomery County Local Office on Minority Health focused on community health equity education and outreach. That team prioritized efforts to reach the most vulnerable demographic groups. Public Health of Dayton & Montgomery County allocated vaccine to minority communities, starting with Black residents, then used targeted opportunities to reach other vulnerable demographics because early during the pandemic, only 13% of COVID-19 vaccines in the county had gone to African American residents, when African Americans comprised about 21 percent of the county’s population.[31] African Americans in Montgomery County received outreach early and often during the pandemic. By utilizing a community-based approach, Public Health’s Office of Health Promotion, including the Local Office on Minority Health, connected with local African American leaders and community stakeholders.

They utilized the backbone of the African American community – Black churches – for COVID outreach particularly in underserved areas. Twenty-five percent of the vaccine shipments were targeted to the African American population at preidentified churches. Public Health nurses visited homebound persons, including African Americans, who were unable to get to those locations. Zik’s Family Pharmacy and Home Medical Supply was a key partner in providing vaccines.

Another partner was the Greater Dayton RTA, which provided free transportation to individuals without transportation. Public Health epidemiologists monitored social vulnerability index (SVI) to identify low vaccination rates in communities so that mobile clinics could bring the vaccine to those underserved communities. Visa and Kroger gift cards were dispensed to individuals to encourage them to get vaccinated. Additional partners included: Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association (GDAHA); Sugarcreek Packaging; Area Agency on Aging; Bethesda Temple; the Northwest Recreation Center in Dayton; St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Dayton Metro Library; Sinclair Community College, and others.

During the pandemic, Dayton’s minority population suffered higher levels of job and housing loss. Those who worked in entry-level service positions were often some of the first to be terminated as COVID’s grip forced organizational closures.

Loss of income led to loss of stable housing and increased reliance on food banks and other social services. Transportation was problematic in some neighborhoods, and remains so, limiting access to fresh foods and health care. The number of people living on the streets increased, which also led to more tent encampments and greater pressure on social services, while the provider system was concurrently experiencing high turnover and workforce challenges. Concurrently, unemployed family members moved in with other family members, leading to overcrowding, higher incidences of illness, increased stress, anxiety, and mental unwellness.

In that same vein, those who were considered essential staff, such as maintenance workers and health care cleaning staff, among others, had higher incidences of infections and death, creating higher levels of stress, trauma, and depression.

Despite the COVID pandemic ending, its ravages linger. Dayton remains in a resultant mental health pandemic, which is likely to tax resources and systems for the next 7-10 years.

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Behavioral Health Disparities While specific Dayton data is limited, national trends suggest Black individuals in Ohio may face greater barriers to accessing mental health services than white individuals, despite similar desires to seek care for serious mental illness. Factors like socioeconomic status, a shortage of culturally competent providers, and systemic issues contribute to disparities.

Because of the disparities, Black residents often utilize emergency rooms more frequently due to lack of consistent care and experience a higher unmet need for services.

Consistent care is noted as an ongoing relationship with a provider.

In fact, statistics show that Black adults use emergency departments for mental health concerns at a rate nearly double that of white adults. Lack of adequate insurance coverage is a major barrier for both groups, but it disproportionately affects minority populations. Cost is cited by groups across populations but is reported as a barrier most often by racial groups. While Medicaid is the largest health care payor, the experience of minorities is often thwarted by a variety of behaviors or infractions that can impede access.

In 2023, the Behavioral Health Task Force, appointed by Montgomery County Commissioners, reported a 26% increase in emergency room visits between 2019 and 2023, citing the 2019 tornadoes and the subsequent Oregon Historic District mass shooting as contributing factors. This statistic references clients overall, but it can be inferred by the significant number of minorities residing in those most impacted areas that minority and marginal residents were more affected.

Stereotypes, discrimination, and a lack of culturally relevant care options create additional obstacles to mental health and addiction care for Black residents. There is a significant shortage of culturally competent and Black mental health providers in communities of color, which can create barriers to trust, utilization, and adherence to treatment for the Black community. Discomfort with one’s provider doesn’t yield quality outcomes. In some cases, Black adults show higher rates of inpatient mental health service use compared to white adults, potentially indicating a reliance on more acute forms of care when other options are inaccessible.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) plans to build a new state-run behavioral health hospital, called the Miami Valley Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, in Montgomery County, at the former Hara Arena site. The project will add 208 beds for intensive inpatient treatment to help individuals with serious mental illness.

The need for more behavioral health beds in Montgomery County increased after the 2008 closing of the Dayton campus of Twin Valley Behavioral Health Care.

COVID-19 also escalated the need. The Montgomery County Behavioral Health

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Taskforce report stated that nearly 20% of patients who receive care at an emergency department for behavioral health needs or substance use disorder are treated two or more times.

Trotwood City Council and the Dayton Unit NAACP had asked the state to look at other locations for the hospital so the Hara Arena site could be preserved for other economic development opportunities. Officials in Harrison Twp., where part of the site is located, endorsed the Hara Arena location. In January 2026, the state completed its purchase of the site.

Local jails also report seeing an increasing need for behavioral health services in their population. The growing need continues to put a strain on local resources as individuals and families search for culturally competent care that meets individual needs. Other barriers such as income and education correlate with disparities in access to care. Minorities may still be influenced by the longstanding principle that we do not “share family business,” so they may be less inclined to fully engage in therapeutic options. This belief can be particularly challenging for engaging young Black and Brown youth who are currently demonstrating especially high rates of mental health challenges.

Youth Behavioral Health Needs Surge Mental health professionals and educators have noted significant increases in the number of youth experiencing anxiety and depression. Post pandemic, area schools have been forced to deal with increased mental health and addiction issues as substance abuse and prescription misuse have become evident in middle school and even at the elementary-school level.

Vaping and access to marijuana products are particularly challenging for caregivers and professionals. During the COVID pandemic, unintentional overdoses decreased, primarily because people were isolating. Current levels are ticking back up as new products and easier access are made available.

At the same time, suicide rates are increasing in the Black community, especially for youth, Black males, and the elderly. Overall, suicide rates in Ohio are higher for Blacks than whites. In 2022, nationwide suicide was the third leading cause of death for the Black community, ages 15 to 34, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. Social isolation and depression (loss of hope) are causes of increases with young people and elders.

In 2025, after experiencing record numbers of children needing mental health services (an increase of over 500 between 2023 and 2024 alone) Dayton Children’s Hospital released its “Strategic Roadmap to Reinventing the Path to Children’s Health.” The impetus for increasing and enhancing behavioral health

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care services for the region was because it noted that one in five youth now suffer from behavioral health conditions and that 80% of those youth go untreated. The reasons mirror the adult system of care, such as mental health workforce shortages, increase in stigma, and misconceptions about brain disease.

With an eye toward increased need over the next 10 years, the hospital has likewise increased its array of services, which included opening the Dayton Children’s Mathile Center for Mental Health and Wellness. Increased inpatient mental health needs and acuity (mental health disease level of severity) underscored this effort.

Partial numbers for 2025 show the hospital has served over 9,000 children for psychiatric treatment, which is 30% more youngsters being served since 2023. While the racial breakdown isn’t readily available, zip code 45406 is one of the hospital’s highest utilizers of hospital services.

Tackling the Infant and Maternal Health Problem In 2024, 44 babies in Montgomery County died before their first birthday. That number translates to an infant mortality rate of 7.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is higher than the state average of 6.6 and higher than the national average of 5.5 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Let that sink in.

The question is why? Why are Montgomery County’s numbers so high and what is being done to address them?

Black infants in Montgomery County continue to die at a rate higher than that of white infants. These statistics are not only individual tragedies but they also point to systemic inequities that impact families of color, especially Black families.

Ohio continues to rank among the worst states in terms of infant mortality and maternal health. Limited access to care, doctor shortages, and preexisting health conditions all can contribute to a mom’s health and the health of her baby. Some of the problems seen in under-resourced urban areas are replicated or even worse in rural Ohio. Nearly 1 in 4 pregnant Ohioans did not receive prenatal care in their first trimester in 2022. Thirteen counties did not have OB-GYN providers and 18 counties lacked pediatricians.

According to Groundwork Ohio’s 2025 Early Childhood Data Dashboard, Montgomery County ranks in the top quartile in terms of the number of certified pediatricians per 100,000 population, ages 0-17, and the number of OB-GYN providers, per 10,000 births. But there are pockets in the county, like Trotwood, where there are not any OB-GYN providers.

Black babies in Ohio continue to die prematurely at a greater rate. In fact, their death rate is 2.2 times the rate of white babies and data shows that women of color are far less likely to receive timely care.[32] Also, when seeking care, Black women continue to feel they are treated worse based on their race or ethnicity with 29.6% of Ohio Black non-Hispanic moms, ages 18-49, reporting perceived experiences of racism compared to 2.4% of white non-Hispanic moms.

Public Health’s Community Health Assessment reports that in 2023, the county’s infant mortality rate was approximately 9.8 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. But if

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you analyze the findings by racial makeup, the infant mortality rate for Black infants was 16.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, which was more than twice as high as white infants at 6.5 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Prematurity, low birth weight, birth defects, and unintentional injuries are the leading causes of infant death in Montgomery County. For mothers, leading causes of death include cardiovascular issues, hemorrhage, infections, and mental health conditions, including suicide and overdose. Postpartum depression plays a critical and often underestimated role. It affects not only a mother’s emotional and physical health but also her ability to bond with and care for her newborn.

If left untreated, it can become a major risk factor for poor maternal and infant outcomes. Adverse outcomes reflect deeper issues embedded in the systems around us. Implicit bias in health care, often unintentional but still deeply harmful, can lead to misdiagnosis, dismissal of symptoms, or substandard care, particularly for Black women. Many Black women report not feeling heard or believed during their care, contributing to deep provider distrust rooted in generations of unequal treatment.

Social determinants of health also play a significant role. Where someone lives, their access to reliable transportation, stable housing, nutritious food, and high-quality health care all impact maternal and infant health. Systemic racism compounds these challenges, leading to persistent disparities that stem from structural issues rather than individual choices. It is also important to recognize limitations in how data are collected and reported. For example, infant mortality is tracked using only the mother’s race, which can leave out important parts of the story, such as the influence of fathers or multiracial family experiences.

Monitoring blood pressure at home is another powerful tool in protecting maternal health. High blood pressure during pregnancy and postpartum can lead to serious complications, including preeclampsia, stroke, and organ damage. Ensuring mothers have access to monitors and understand how to use them allows for earlier detection and timely care. Across Montgomery County, programs are available to help mothers regularly check their blood pressure and receive support in managing hypertension, providing an added layer of safety during pregnancy and after birth.

Equally essential is strengthening patient–provider relationships. When mothers feel heard, respected, and taken seriously, they are more likely to report symptoms early, follow treatment plans, and seek care when something feels wrong. Strong relationships build trust, improve communication, and ultimately support better outcomes—especially for Black mothers whose concerns have too often been dismissed.

Ohio approved Medicaid coverage for doula services in October 2024. The Health Activation Think Tank (HATT), through the University of Dayton’s Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, invests in Black doulas through community-based training cohorts that support sustainable doula businesses and engages in statewide policy advocacy to improve doula access and reimbursement. Doulas, midwives, community health workers, and physicians all play an important role in supporting families. When these professionals collaborate as part of a broader care ecosystem, they help wrap families in culturally responsive, person-centered support.

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Key Protective Factors That Promote Healthy Maternal and Infant Outcomes There are known protective factors that can reduce risks and support healthy outcomes. Early entry into prenatal care, ideally within the first trimester, is a critical component of maternal and infant well-being. Early care provides opportunities for screening, education, and intervention.

Infant feeding practices, such as breastfeeding, also play an important role.

Breastfeeding provides vital nutrients and immune protection for infants while supporting maternal recovery and emotional bonding. Comprehensive postpartum care, including mental health support, is essential—yet many mothers report falling through the cracks, particularly in the first six weeks postpartum.

Safe sleep practices are another layer of protection. Ensuring babies are placed on their backs in their own safe sleep space, without soft bedding, significantly reduces the risk of sleep-related infant deaths. Education must be paired with real solutions, such as access to safe sleep spaces and home visiting programs.

Building a Countywide, Community-Led Approach to Maternal and Infant Health Cradle Cincinnati, a collaborative effort between parents, caregivers, health care professionals and community partners, has demonstrated measurable success in reducing infant mortality through a community-driven model rooted in collaboration and deep engagement with Black families. Montgomery County has the opportunity to make a similar impact through Partnering for Change, a statewide initiative announced by Governor Mike DeWine and funded by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Dayton Children’s Hospital serves as the local convener for this work, which is carried out under the community-driven identity Roots to Rise Dayton: Nurturing Moms & Babies. Recently unveiled with partners, Roots to Rise Dayton reflects a shared commitment to transforming maternal and infant health through collaboration, data transparency, and community partnership.

As the backbone organization, Dayton Children’s supports partners by coordinating the infrastructure and collaboration needed to align efforts; strengthening prenatal care systems; centering community voice; and guiding the development of learning collaboratives across Montgomery County. The work itself is carried out by the many hospitals, community-based organizations, home visiting programs, faith-based partners, and families who shape and lead solutions within their own communities.

Queens Village, a key component of the Cradle Cincinnati model, offers a powerful example of how to center Black women in health and healing. Locally, Queens Village Dayton creates culturally rooted, joyful, and safe spaces where Black women can heal, rest, connect, and use their voices to shape change. Through circles, gatherings, and sisterhood-focused programs, Queens Village Dayton nurtures wellness and builds collective power.

CALM (Compassionate and Loving Maternal Care) at Five Rivers Health Centers is another innovative program focused on wraparound support. With a team that includes clinical pharmacists, community health workers, dieticians, and massage therapists, CALM addresses both medical and social needs, recognizing that maternal health extends beyond clinical care.

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Creating lasting change in maternal and infant health requires more than short bursts of activity. Progress emerges through consistent investment, long-term partnerships, and community-driven action, grounded in data rather than politics. The goal is not simply to adjust existing systems for some families, but to build something better that meets the needs of all families.

At the core of this work is a commitment to listen to families, honor their experiences, and create care systems that reflect their strengths, needs, and dreams. Supporting mothers and babies is a collective responsibility—and when we get it right, we build a healthier, stronger Montgomery County for generations to come.

IN CONCLUSION Improving health outcomes for Black residents in Montgomery County requires coordinated action across health care systems, community organizations, and public policy. Socially vulnerable populations, including racial minorities and those facing socioeconomic disadvantages, often experience poorer health outcomes and higher rates of chronic disease due to structural barriers such as limited access to health care, transportation challenges, housing instability, and exposure to environmental hazards. In many cases, Black Americans also face reduced access to essential resources such as quality housing, health care, transportation, and educational opportunities. Addressing these disparities requires sustained collaboration and intentional investment in equitable health strategies.

Here are some suggested action steps to improve health outcomes for Blacks in Montgomery County:

PROVIDERS > Improve Access to Health Care – Expand telehealth services and promote the use of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in underserved areas to increase access to affordable primary and preventive care. > Address Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) – Identify and reduce barriers to care such as transportation limitations, food insecurity, housing instability, and low income that often prevent individuals from seeking or maintaining treatment. > Support Mental Health – Integrate mental health services into primary care settings to ensure early detection, reduce stigma, and improve access to behavioral health treatment.

COMMUNITY > Promote Health Literacy – Conduct workshops to educate residents on key health topics, develop and distribute culturally relevant health materials in multiple languages, partner with health care and public health organizations to provide community-based programs, and encourage peer support networks. > Share Resources – Develop and distribute resource guides that connect

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residents with employment assistance, behavioral health services, and food banks and other food security programs. > Establish Community Partnerships – Collaborate with trusted local organizations to reach diverse populations and increase credibility, while also engaging policymakers through calls, emails, letters, and community meetings to advocate for needed change.

POLICYMAKERS > Advocate for Equitable Policies – Develop and implement policies that eliminate health disparities and hold health care organizations accountable for delivering equitable care. > Diversify the Health Care Workforce – Expand scholarships, loan forgiveness programs, and training opportunities that enable more African Americans to enter health professions, while increasing medical school slots and residency programs. > Educate Constituents – Identify pressing community health issues, host community conversations to gather feedback, and leverage social media and local news outlets to disseminate timely health information.

Advancing equity in health and health care must be a shared priority across sectors.

By strengthening access to care, addressing the social determinants of health, and investing in community-driven solutions, Montgomery County can make meaningful progress toward reducing disparities and improving the well-being of Black residents. Sustained commitment to these strategies will help ensure that every resident has the opportunity to achieve optimal health and thrive.

Recommendations To Enhance Service Delivery To Minority Clients Some specific recommendations to enhance direct mental health service delivery to better serve minority clients are: > Reduce wait times for mental health and crisis services > Offer alternative options to emergency room visits and repeat visits > Better coordinate services and follow-up, especially enhancing the continuum of care to offer more prevention and early intervention services, and at earlier ages, which would ultimately reduce residential and aftercare costs > Address workforce shortages to increase access to a trained culturally competent system of care > Address the social determinants of health equity as fundamental for improving health and reducing longstanding inequities

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CARING FOR THOSE IN THE URBAN CORE For 20 years, Dr. Alonzo Patterson III has seen patients at PriMed Wright Dunbar Pediatrics.

In that time, he has seen a lot of other things concerning patient care in West Dayton. Specialty physicians leave. Private practices relocate. Hospitals close.

Some call West Dayton a “health care desert.” He said it is if you consider “these little oases scattered around a large geographic area.” He is one of a few pediatric private practices in west and northwest Dayton. There are even fewer OB-GYN practices. Federally qualified health centers, designed to provide primary and preventive health care in medically underserved areas, provide most of the care. “Those of us in private practice need to commit to taking care of an urban population,” Dr. Patterson said.

“I think there is a paucity of health care providers in West Dayton but I don’t think it is because of the closing of Good Sam (Good Samaritan Hospital),” Dr. Patterson said. “I think it is because of the disinvestment in the neighborhood as a whole over the years. It hasn’t been just the hospital has gone away. It’s restaurants, it’s dry cleaners, it’s shoe shops.”

“Access is a big issue. One of the biggest losses when Good Samaritan Hospital closed, was not just the loss of the hospital, but there were other providers in the professional building that served Black people in the area.

There were obstetricians, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, and other health care professionals that left the area as result.”

“It’s important to have health care providers who know and understand the problems that exist in the community in which they provide care.

This is one of the things that keeps communities healthy.” His advice for improving health care delivery: listen to the community and deliver the care that people deserve and need.

Dr. Alonzo Patterson III is Chief Health Equity Officer at Dayton Children’s Medical Center and a partner with Pri-MED Physicians.

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THE GEOGRAPHY OF HEALTH Life expectancy in Montgomery County varies dramatically depending on where someone lives. Residents in suburban communities like Centerville, Beavercreek and Oakwood live into their 80s on average, while residents in parts of Dayton — particularly west and east Dayton — experience life expectancies in the midto upper-60s, creating nearly a 20-year gap across the region. The difference is striking: residents in 45440 (Centerville/Washington Township) have a life expectancy of 84.4 years, compared with just 65.8 years in 45403 (East Dayton) — an 18.6-year gap that stands as one of the most powerful statistics in this report.

VERY HIGH LIFE EXPECTANCY (80+ YEARS) The highest life expectancies across Montgomery County are primarily found in southern suburbs and higher-income communities

These areas are mixed suburban and inner-ring communities.

Zip Code

Location

Life Expectancy

45415

Trotwood / Northwest Dayton

74.0

45449

Moraine

73.4

45345

New Lebanon

73.4

45420

Belmont / Southeast Dayton

72.9

45426

Trotwood / Northwest Dayton

71.2

45414

Northridge / North Dayton

71.6

LOWER LIFE EXPECTANCY (65–69.9 YEARS) These are primarily City of Dayton neighborhoods, particularly West and East Dayton.

Zip Code

Location

Life Expectancy

45440

Centerville / Washington Township

84.4

Zip Code

Location

Life Expectancy

45432

Beavercreek

83.6

45402

Downtown Dayton

69.8

45325

Farmersville / Rural SW Montgomery County

81.9

45406

Northwest Dayton

69.7

45431

Riverside / Wright-Patterson Area

81.6

45404

Old North Dayton / East Dayton

69.3

45419

Oakwood / South Dayton

80.1

45439

West Carrollton / South Dayton

69.1

45410

East Dayton / Inner East

68.4

45417

West Dayton

67.7

45416

West Dayton

67.5

45405

West Dayton

67.6

45403

East Dayton

65.8

HIGH LIFE EXPECTANCY (75–79.9 YEARS) These are mostly suburban communities and mixed suburban/rural areas in Montgomery County.

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MODERATE LIFE EXPECTANCY (70–74.9 YEARS)

Zip Code

Location

Life Expectancy

45458

Centerville / Washington Township

79.6

45459

Centerville

79.0

45327

Germantown

79.0

45429

Kettering

78.7

45409

University of Dayton / South Dayton

78.3

45322

Englewood / Northmont

77.7

45309

Brookville

77.5

45315

Clayton / Northmont area

76.1

45377

Vandalia

75.5

45424

Huber Heights

75.3

45342

Miamisburg

75.2

Source: Ohio Department of Health, Resident Death Files

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COMMUNITY VOICES What We Heard from the Community Housing stability was consistently described as a cornerstone of family well-being and economic mobility. Participants expressed concern about rising rents and the increasing presence of investors purchasing residential properties in bulk. These trends were described as making homeownership more difficult for Black families and contributing to neighborhood instability.

Residents also emphasized that housing instability disrupts children’s education, employment stability, and community relationships. Participants noted that many families facing eviction or displacement lack access to emergency resources that could help stabilize their housing situation.

Why It Matters Access to stable and affordable housing influences educational outcomes, employment opportunities, and long-term wealth building. Without equitable housing policies, disparities in homeownership and neighborhood investment can persist across generations.

Community-Informed Recommendations > Expand affordable housing and homeownership opportunities > Strengthen tenant protections and eviction prevention programs > Encourage neighborhood revitalization that protects current residents > Address investor-driven displacement > Increase emergency housing assistance and stabilization programs

A PLACE TO CALL

Trusted Community Partners Mentioned City of Dayton Department of Planning, Omega CDC, Homefull, Habitat for Humanity, Montgomery County Housing initiatives.

HOME THE STATE OF HOUSING

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THE STATE OF HOUSING Housing is one of the most important determinants of economic mobility and long-term wealth accumulation in the United States. Where families live affects access to schools, employment opportunities, transportation, health care, and safe neighborhoods.

Housing stability also influences whether families can accumulate assets that improve economic prospects across generations. For many households, owning a home represents the largest investment they will ever make and often serves as the primary mechanism for building generational wealth.

In Montgomery County and the City of Dayton, housing conditions reveal both opportunity and challenge. Compared with many large metropolitan areas, the region has historically maintained relatively moderate housing costs. However, rising rents, limited housing supply, aging housing stock, and historical patterns of disinvestment have created barriers to housing stability for many residents—particularly Black households and lower-income families. [33] These challenges are especially important when examining economic mobility in Black communities. Housing has historically been both a pathway to wealth and a mechanism through which racial inequality has been reinforced. Discriminatory housing policies in the twentieth century limited Black homeownership opportunities and restricted access to wealth-building neighborhoods. Although many of those policies have been outlawed, their economic consequences remain visible in contemporary housing patterns.

This section examines housing conditions at the national, state, county, and local levels to better understand how housing markets shape economic opportunity in Montgomery County. It explores national housing trends, affordability challenges, the impact of historical redlining, the growing influence of investor-owned housing, and the increasing need for affordable housing options for seniors. The section concludes by discussing strategies that can expand housing opportunities, strengthen neighborhoods, and promote wealth-building in Black communities.

Housing and Wealth in the United States Homeownership has long been the primary mechanism through which American families accumulate wealth. By building equity over time, homeowners can benefit from rising property values while simultaneously paying down mortgage debt. These assets can then be passed to children or

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used to finance education, small businesses, or retirement.

Research consistently shows that homeowners possess substantially greater wealth than renters. One study estimated that the median wealth of homeowners is several times higher than that of renter households, largely because housing equity functions as a long-term savings vehicle.[34] However, access to homeownership remains uneven across racial groups. In 2025, the overall homeownership rate in the United States was approximately 65.6 percent, while the rate for Black households was approximately 46 percent.[35] This gap remains one of the largest contributors to the racial wealth gap in the United States.

Historical housing policies played a major role in creating this disparity.

Throughout much of the twentieth century, federal housing programs and private lending practices excluded Black households from many suburban housing developments that helped White families build wealth. Mortgage insurance programs often refused to guarantee loans in Black neighborhoods, while racially restrictive covenants prohibited Black homeownership in many suburban communities.[36] Although these policies were formally outlawed through the Fair Housing Act of 1968, the effects persist. Black households often have less inherited wealth to use for down payments, face higher mortgage denial rates, and are more likely to live in neighborhoods with lower property appreciation rates.[37] As a result, housing markets continue to play a central role in shaping economic mobility and wealth accumulation across racial groups.

Housing Affordability and the Rental Market In addition to disparities in homeownership, housing affordability has become an increasingly significant challenge across the United States. Rising housing costs have made it difficult for many families to afford stable housing without experiencing financial strain.

Housing researchers commonly measure affordability using the concept of cost burden, defined as spending more than 30 percent of household income on housing. Severe cost burden occurs when households spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing. [38] Across the country, Black renters are disproportionately affected by housing cost burdens. Studies show that Black households are more likely to spend a large share of their income on housing even after accounting for income differences.[39] Several structural factors contribute to these trends. Construction costs have risen significantly due to labor shortages and supply chain disruptions. Zoning regulations in many communities restrict the construction of multifamily housing or smaller housing units. These factors limit the overall supply of housing and contribute to rising rents.

When housing supply fails to keep pace with population growth and demand, prices increase. For many families, especially those with lower incomes, even modest rent increases can create financial instability.

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Housing Conditions in Montgomery County Montgomery County reflects many of the national housing trends described above. The region benefits from a relatively moderate cost of living compared with many metropolitan areas in the United States, yet housing affordability remains a significant concern for many residents.

Homeownership rates vary significantly across communities in the county. In Dayton, the homeownership rate is approximately 48.2 percent, compared with approximately 64.7 percent across Montgomery County overall.[40] Racial disparities in homeownership are also evident locally. The Black homeownership rate in Dayton is approximately 35.6 percent, while the countywide rate for Black households is approximately 41 percent.[41] Median home values in the region vary considerably. As of 2025, median home values were estimated to be approximately: > $152,933 in Dayton > $204,650 in Montgomery County > $272,450 in Kettering[42] Although these prices remain below the national median home price, rising home values have made homeownership increasingly difficult for moderate-income families and first-time buyers.

For many Black households in Dayton, barriers to homeownership also limit opportunities to build generational wealth. Without access to appreciating housing assets, families may have fewer opportunities to accumulate savings or pass financial resources to future generations.

Between 2010 and 2020, many suburbs across the Dayton metropolitan region experienced substantial increases in Black residents. Among the region’s largest communities, the majority recorded double-digit growth in their Black populations during this period, even as the total Black population within the City of Dayton declined modestly.

These changes reflect broader national trends in residential mobility among Black households. As barriers to suburban housing have gradually declined and economic opportunities have expanded, many Black families have sought housing in suburban communities that offer access to different school districts, employment centers, and neighborhood amenities.

In Montgomery County, communities such as Huber Heights, Riverside, Englewood, and Clayton have experienced notable increases in their Black populations. These shifts have been influenced by several factors, including housing affordability, school quality, proximity to employment opportunities, and access to transportation infrastructure.

Development patterns in the region have historically followed major transportation corridors, including Interstate 75, Interstate 70, Interstate 675, and U.S. Route 35.

As residential development expanded along these corridors, suburban housing markets became increasingly attractive for families seeking newer housing stock or larger homes.

While suburban migration has expanded housing options for many families, it has also contributed to rising housing demand in certain suburban communities.

Increased demand can place upward pressure on housing prices, particularly in communities with limited housing supply.

At the same time, many historically Black neighborhoods within the City of Dayton continue to face challenges related to aging housing stock, limited reinvestment, and concentrated poverty. These conditions reflect decades of disinvestment tied to historic redlining practices and uneven access to mortgage credit.¹³ Understanding these population shifts is essential for evaluating housing policy and planning future development in Montgomery County. Demographic changes influence housing demand, school enrollment, infrastructure needs, and economic development strategies across the region.

Rising Rents in the Dayton Region Rental housing costs have increased significantly in the Dayton region since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some estimates indicate that rents increased more than 30 percent between 2020 and 2025.[43] As of late 2025, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment was approximately:

Migration and Changing Residential Patterns in the Dayton Region Over the past decade, the Dayton region has experienced notable shifts in residential patterns, particularly among Black households. While the City of Dayton remains home to the largest Black population in Montgomery County, surrounding suburban communities have seen significant growth in their Black populations.

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> $987 in Dayton > $1,094 in Kettering[44] Although these rents remain lower than those in many larger metropolitan areas, they still represent a substantial financial burden for many households.

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GROWTH IN BLACK POPULATION

Wage growth has not kept pace with rising housing costs, leaving many families struggling to balance rent payments with other essential expenses.

Between 2010 and 2020, overall population growth across the region was modest, but the underlying trends tell a different story. In many communities, the Black population increased significantly — often by 30% to more than 150% — while the white population remained flat or declined, meaning much of the region’s stability is being driven by demographic change rather than overall growth. This shift is especially visible in suburban communities like Franklin, Tipp City, Kettering, Vandalia, Washington Township, Beavercreek and Huber Heights, where populations that were historically overwhelmingly white are becoming more diverse. While these areas remain majority white and some of the percentage gains reflect growth from smaller base populations, the pattern is clear: Black residents are increasingly moving into suburban communities, reshaping the region’s demographic landscape and raising important questions about whether access to opportunity is expanding along with it.

CHANGE IN BLACK POPULATION BY COMMUNITY (2010-2020) Franklin

155.5%

Tipp City 101.9% 66.6% 65.8% Washington Township 49.9% Miami Township

Centerville

26.2%

47.6% Clayton

25.7%

44.8% Riverside

Bellbrook

24.0%

43.2% Fairborn Moraine Cedarville 35.2%

Beavercreek Township

Beavercreek Miamisburg West Carrollton Miami Township Clayton

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20.2%

35.9%

Englewood

Springboro

21.5%

42.2%

Huber Heights

Lebanon 33.9% Piqua 32.9%

25.7%

9.9%

5.6%

-7.8% -18.1% -19.4%

Dayton Xenia

Yellow Springs

Several factors contributed to this rapid appreciation. Historically low mortgage interest rates increased purchasing power for homebuyers, while limited housing inventory intensified competition for available homes. At the same time, construction activity slowed due to labor shortages and supply chain disruptions.

As housing prices increased, many households who might otherwise have purchased homes remained renters. This shift increased demand in rental markets and contributed to rising rents.

Investor Ownership and Housing Market Competition

In Montgomery County, this trend has become particularly noticeable in several neighborhoods. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland shows that investors owned nearly 30 percent of single-family homes in certain housing “hotspots” in the county in 2024, indicating a significant concentration of investor ownership in some local housing markets.[48]

Trotwood -4.4%

28.9%

26.2%

The sudden loss of housing units increased demand for available rental units and contributed to rent increases in surrounding neighborhoods. Natural disasters often expose underlying weaknesses in housing markets, particularly in communities where affordable housing supply is already limited.

Another emerging factor influencing housing access in Montgomery County is the growing presence of investor-owned housing. Across the United States, institutional investors and corporate landlords have increasingly purchased singlefamily homes as rental investments, particularly in communities where housing prices remain relatively affordable compared with larger metropolitan markets.[47]

14.3%

Troy 2.4%

32.8%

28.8%

In May 2019, a series of tornadoes struck the Dayton region, including an EF4rated storm that traveled more than 18 miles across northwestern Dayton and surrounding communities. Nearly 3,000 homes and more than 200 businesses were damaged. [45] More than 1,000 apartments in Trotwood were rendered uninhabitable, displacing residents and intensifying pressure on the local housing market.

The COVID-19 pandemic also reshaped housing markets across the United States.

Between January 2020 and January 2021, home values in Dayton increased by nearly 18 percent.[46]

Vandalia

Oakwood

The Impact of the 2019 Tornadoes

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Housing Prices

Kettering

Mason

Housing cost burdens can have cascading effects on economic stability. Families that spend a large share of their income on housing often reduce spending on health care, food, transportation, and education. Over time, these trade-offs can undermine economic mobility and limit opportunities for upward advancement.

Source: Dayton Daily News

Between 2018 and 2024, commercial investors were involved in 3,192 single-family home purchases in Montgomery County hotspots, reflecting a steady increase in investor activity in the region’s housing market.[49] These purchases have been concentrated primarily in parts of Dayton where housing prices remain lower than

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regional and national averages, making them attractive investment opportunities for rental portfolios.[50] Investor ownership of residential housing can influence housing markets in several ways. Large investors often purchase homes with cash offers, which can allow them to outcompete traditional homebuyers who rely on mortgage financing. This dynamic can make it more difficult for first-time homebuyers—especially moderateincome families—to purchase homes in competitive housing markets.[51] Another concern raised by community advocates is that some out-of-state investors may not maintain properties to the same standards as local homeowners or community-based landlords. When investor-owned properties are poorly maintained, neighborhoods may experience declining housing quality and increased code enforcement challenges.[52] At the same time, investor activity is not uniform across all housing markets. Some local investors and developers play an important role in rehabilitating distressed properties and returning homes to productive use. In some cases, renovated homes are later sold to owner-occupants, contributing to neighborhood stabilization.[53] Local policymakers have begun exploring strategies to balance these competing dynamics. In 2024, the City of Dayton implemented civil code enforcement tools intended to hold absentee property owners accountable for housing violations and improve property maintenance standards.[54] Maintaining a balance between investor participation and owner-occupied housing is widely viewed as an important component of neighborhood stability. Policies that support first-time homebuyers, encourage responsible property management, and promote homeownership opportunities can help ensure that housing markets contribute to long-term community wealth-building rather than speculative investment alone.

Investor Ownership and Its Impact on Black Homeownership The rise of investor ownership in residential housing markets has important implications for homeownership opportunities, particularly in communities of color.

In recent years, institutional investors and corporate landlords have increasingly targeted neighborhoods with relatively low housing prices and high rental demand.

These characteristics often overlap with historically disinvested communities where Black households are more likely to live due to the legacy of redlining and segregation.[55] Research suggests that investor activity can reduce access to homeownership by removing homes from the market that might otherwise be purchased by first-time buyers. Investors frequently purchase homes using cash offers and can move quickly in competitive markets, making it difficult for households relying on traditional mortgage financing to compete.[56] When large numbers of homes are converted into rental properties, the available supply of homes for owner-occupancy declines, which can push housing prices higher and further limit access to homeownership.

This dynamic has important implications for Black wealth building. Homeownership remains the primary way that American families accumulate wealth over time.

When families purchase homes, they build equity that can later support education,

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business creation, or retirement. For Black households, who historically have had fewer opportunities to accumulate inherited wealth, access to homeownership can be especially important for closing the racial wealth gap.[57] In communities like Dayton, where housing prices remain relatively affordable compared with national markets, investor activity can accelerate housing market competition precisely in neighborhoods where Black households might otherwise be able to purchase homes. As investor purchases increase, homes that might have served as entry points to homeownership instead become long-term rental properties. Over time, this shift can slow the growth of Black homeownership rates and limit opportunities for families to build generational wealth.

At the same time, local investment strategies that prioritize homeownership—such as community land banks, down payment assistance programs, and targeted home rehabilitation initiatives—can help counterbalance these trends. Programs that return vacant or distressed properties to owner-occupants, particularly firsttime homebuyers, have the potential to expand wealth-building opportunities in historically underserved communities.

Addressing the growing influence of investor ownership in housing markets therefore requires a balanced approach. Policies that support responsible investment while expanding pathways to homeownership for local residents can help ensure that housing markets contribute to neighborhood stability and economic mobility rather than reinforcing existing inequalities.

Housing, Neighborhood Opportunity, and Economic Mobility Where families live strongly influences their economic prospects. Neighborhood conditions affect access to high-quality schools, employment opportunities, transportation, and healthy environments.

In Montgomery County, life expectancy varies dramatically between neighborhoods. Residents in ZIP code 45417 in West Dayton have a life expectancy of approximately 67.7 years, while residents in ZIP code 45440 near Oakwood and Kettering have a life expectancy of approximately 84.4 years. These disparities reflect broader differences in neighborhood investment, environmental conditions, and access to opportunity.

Research on the social determinants of health shows that housing quality and neighborhood environments play a critical role in shaping health outcomes and economic mobility. Communities with safe housing, access to transportation, and proximity to employment opportunities tend to produce better long-term economic outcomes for residents.

Redlining and Historical Disinvestment Many of the housing disparities observed today can be traced to historical policies such as redlining. In the 1930s, the federal Home Owners’ Loan Corporation created residential security maps that graded neighborhoods based on perceived mortgage lending risk.[58] Neighborhoods with significant Black populations were often graded “hazardous” and outlined in red. These redlined areas were largely excluded from mortgage lending and private investment.

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Over time, this lack of investment contributed to declining housing quality, limited economic development, and persistent racial segregation.

Research has shown that neighborhoods historically graded as “hazardous” continue to experience poorer housing conditions and worse health outcomes than neighborhoods that received favorable investment grades. In Dayton, many neighborhoods in West and Northwest Dayton were historically redlined, and these areas continue to face challenges related to housing quality, affordability, and economic opportunity.

Aging in Place Strategies Policies that support aging in place can help seniors remain in their homes safely and comfortably, while maintaining connections to their neighborhood and social networks.[65] Key strategies include:

Housing for an Aging Population

> Home repair assistance programs

Another major housing challenge facing Montgomery County is the region’s aging population. Like much of the United States, the Dayton region is experiencing demographic changes as Baby Boomers reach retirement age.

> Accessibility modification grants

Many older adults prefer to remain in their homes and communities as they age—a concept known as aging in place. Aging in place allows seniors to maintain independence while staying connected to family and community networks. Access to appropriate housing is closely connected to health outcomes, financial security, and quality of life for older adults.[59] However, aging in place requires housing that is safe, accessible, and affordable. Many homes in Dayton were built decades ago and lack accessibility features such as first-floor bedrooms, step-free entrances, and wider doorways.

Without these features, older residents may face safety risks or may be forced to relocate to assisted living facilities that can be financially out of reach.

Communities across the United States are exploring several strategies to address senior housing needs: > Affordable senior housing options: Expanding affordable housing options for seniors is an important component of housing policy. > Affordable independent living communities: Senior housing developments that provide apartments with rents tied to income levels.[60] > Accessory dwelling units (ADUs): Small secondary housing units that allow seniors to live near family members while maintaining independence.[61] > Co-housing communities: Shared housing models that provide private living spaces alongside shared common areas.[62] > Supportive housing developments: Housing that combines affordable apartments with access to health services, transportation, and community programming.[63] > Access to appropriate housing: This is closely connected to health outcomes, financial security and quality of life for older adults.

Expanding affordable senior housing can benefit the broader housing market as well. When seniors have access to appropriate housing options, larger homes may become available for younger families. [64]

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> Property tax relief for seniors > Transportation and community health services > Zoning reforms that allow smaller housing units These initiatives can help seniors maintain independence while preserving neighborhood stability. As Montgomery County continues to plan for demographic change, investing in diverse housing options and aging-in-place policies will be critical to ensuring that older residents can age with dignity, stability, and access to essential services.

IN CONCLUSION Housing conditions in Montgomery County reflect both opportunity and inequality. While the region maintains relatively moderate housing costs compared with many metropolitan areas, significant disparities persist in housing access, homeownership, and neighborhood investment.

Housing policy plays a critical role in shaping economic mobility, particularly in Black communities where historical barriers to homeownership have limited opportunities to build generational wealth.

Addressing these challenges will require coordinated strategies that expand affordable housing supply, strengthen fair housing enforcement, regulate investor activity in housing markets, and invest in historically disinvested neighborhoods.

Ensuring access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is essential not only for individual well-being but also for the long-term economic health of Montgomery County and the Dayton region.

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WHAT’S WORKING: OHIO’S ONLY PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD In Northwest Dayton, a collection of neighborhoods shows disinvestment and promise. Pockets of stable blocks and stable families intermix with deteriorated homes and some parents needing an economic and educational boost for their kids and themselves to thrive.

That’s where there’s hope – the HOPE Center that is. The building anchors Omega Community Development Corporation’s Hope Zone Promise Neighborhood. Promise Neighborhoods is a U.S. Department of Education program designed to replicate the success of the Harlem Children’s Zone, where children have access to cradle-to-career solutions so they can thrive into adulthood. In FY 2022, Omega CDC was awarded just under $30M in a 5-year grant to transform the outcomes in 17 Dayton neighborhoods all west of the Great Miami River. It is one of 46 Promise Neighborhoods, and the only one in Ohio.

Success Tips: > Community partnerships are key > Commit to rigorous data collection > Build strong community engagement mechanisms. Then listen and act. > Provide opportunities for parents to upskill to earn better wages > Support wraparound services > Build on each success Rev. Ward said to build greater communities, focus block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood. “I think we need to champion the change that we want to see.

We need to recognize that we have the assets within our community.”

It is a place-based model combined with a results-based accountability framework that helps organizations provide multigenerational strategies to address 10 cradle-to-career issues with solutions informed by the community.

While educating children is the heart of the multipronged effort, the Rev. Vanessa Ward, CEO of Omega CDC, said in order to fully support children, you must build pathways to greater self-sufficiency for their families and their neighborhoods. “You can work on the education of children but they have to go to broken homes and broken communities. Until you can influence all of that, you really are only hitting at the surface,” she said.

She characterizes Omega CDC as a “community quarterback” focused on bringing community partners and resources together to scale impact. To date, some of the Hope Zone’s accomplishments, with the help of their 41 partners, include Dayton Children’s Hospital having a pediatric office at the Hope Center; new homes being built in northwest Dayton; and Sinclair Community College offering a new LPN certificate program at the Hope Center.

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COMMUNITY VOICES What We Heard from the Community Participants described economic inequality as a persistent challenge affecting many Black households in the region. Many residents reported working multiple jobs while still struggling to meet basic expenses. Low wages, rising costs of living, and limited access to capital were frequently cited as barriers to financial stability.

Community members emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and neighborhood-based economic development as pathways toward wealth building. Participants also noted that economic development efforts sometimes prioritize large corporate investments rather than community-level opportunities that directly benefit residents.

Why It Matters Economic disparities affect housing stability, educational opportunities, and health outcomes. Expanding pathways to wealth building can strengthen families and communities while contributing to regional economic growth.

Community-Informed Recommendations > Expand financial literacy education beginning in elementary school > Strengthen workforce pathways to living-wage employment > Increase access to capital for entrepreneurs and small businesses > Promote local purchasing to support neighborhood businesses > Align workforce, education, and economic development systems

Trusted Community Partners Mentioned

ADVANCEMENT TOWARDS

The Dayton Foundation, The Entrepreneur Center, Parity Inc., CityWide Development, Sinclair Community College.

PROSPERITY THE STATE OF ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND WEALTH

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THE STATE OF ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND WEALTH For African Americans who came north as part of the Great Migration, Dayton was a mecca of opportunity.

In the past, Dayton’s manufacturing base defined this region whether it was General Motors, National Cash Register (NCR), Huffy Corporation, or DELCO. Today the Dayton region is still a mecca of opportunity, but now in the areas of technology, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing and the skills needed to succeed are skills necessary for those industries.

Lots of energy is focused on harnessing key technologies and leveraging key regional assets like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) and Dayton International Airport to expand the region’s roots in research, logistics, and the defense industry. The importance of WPAFB and Dayton International Airport cannot be understated as the Dayton region leans into its defense, aerospace, technology, and innovation DNA to craft a future where Dayton becomes a global leader in digital transformation technologies.

In Ohio, a significant number of high-tech companies, like Intel, Google, and Amgen have announced multimillion dollar investments which are driving the need for employees with higher-level education or credentials. A Forbes article stated, “There are more than 100,000 job openings paying $50,000 or more right now. By 2031, Ohio is projected to have more than 5 million jobs – with 66% of them requiring post-secondary education or credentials.”[66] Proactively growing the local employee base is a must. Today for every 10 jobs, there are six applicants. Opportunity lies in the growth and the workforce gap. To lift the economic outlook for African Americans in the Dayton region, more Black-owned businesses need to grow in high-revenue sectors and the region must match unutilized and underutilized talent with training and employment opportunities that enhance the livability of local families.

WPAFB has been one of the most important sources of employment for Black Daytonians for nearly a century. As the largest single-site employer in Ohio, with more than 38,000 employees including military, civilian, and contractors, the base has provided stable work, federal protections against discrimination, and pathways into the middle class that were often unavailable in Dayton’s private sector. For many Black families, WPAFB became not only a workplace but also a foundation for long-term economic mobility.

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The airport is a critical community anchor and elevated asset, near the intersection of Interstate 75 and Interstate 70, which has drawn multimillion dollars-worth of warehouse and logistics business. The presence of WPAFB, the Air Force Digital Transformation Office, and the headquarters for the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) elevates the region’s growing reputation as an emerging aerospace tech market leveraging transformative digital technologies for public and private sector uses.

Numerous collaborative efforts are underway to find more ways to commercialize new tech solutions for industry.

The creation of the onMain Innovation Hub, at the former Montgomery County Fairgrounds, will help support the digital transformation of the United States Air Force and cement the growing need for a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) workforce. The onMain Innovation Hub is the state’s second hub created to drive innovation, new jobs, and business growth around the state. OnMain, Inc. is a collaborative venture between the University of Dayton and Premier Health. Other partners supporting the onMain Innovation Hub include WPAFB; the University of Dayton Research Institute; the City of Dayton; Montgomery County; JobsOhio; and the Dayton Development Coalition.

The question is, are African Americans largely positioned to take advantage of the growth? A look at post-secondary degree attainment for Ohioans shows significant racial and ethnic gaps exist. According to the Ohio Department of Higher Education 2024 Attainment Report, African Americans in Ohio graduate at the next to lowest percentage and there is a 34% gap between the group with the highest attainment, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and with African Americans.[67] In addition, African Americans in Montgomery County are already behind in terms of median income. Black heads of households make about 59 percent ($42,751) of what white heads of households make ($72,288).[68] Since 1980, those comprising the top tier of aggregate income have moved outward and further away from the urban core, to surrounding counties along the Interstate 675 and Interstate 75 corridors, leaving more of those who are impoverished in the Dayton core. Economic opportunity, from an equity lens, includes multiple factors in addition to strong educational pathways. Living wage jobs, stable housing, quality healthcare, and effective transportation are all important.

The healthcare industry is a significant driver of the local economy. According to the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association (GDAHA), which represents 29 hospitals and health organizations - with the majority in Montgomery County - healthcare has an $8.1B economic impact on the local economy and hospitals employ over 44,000 people. In-demand and critical healthcare positions include home health and personal care aides; registered nurses; medical assistants; and nurse practitioners. Ohio’s rapidly aging population requires a greater demand for in-community and in-home health care services. According to Ohio’s Top Jobs List, the job with the greatest number of openings is home health and personal care aides. The median salary statewide for the position - $31,000, which is less than half the median income in Montgomery County.[69]

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The Unemployment Picture National unemployment numbers released in mid-December, 2025, show that U.S. unemployment hit 4.6%, a number not seen since the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. job growth remained sluggish in November as nonfarm payrolls increased by only 64,000 after declining 105,000 in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the Department of Labor. The decline in October, 2025 payrolls, the largest since the end of 2020, was due to a plunge in federal employment as workers, including some at WPAFB, who accepted the Trump administration’s deferred resignation offers officially dropped off payrolls. [70] An uptick in inflation and an uptick in unemployment disproportionately hurts low-to-moderate income individuals. At the state level, Ohio’s latest reported unemployment rate was 4.8%, and the Black unemployment rate was nearly double at 8.8%. The overall unemployment rate for Montgomery County was lower than the state at 4.6%, with the Black unemployment rate for the county being 3.3%.

The Coalition believes employers, K-12 and higher education partners, and workforce development organizations need to come together to build a datainformed, demand-driven regional talent system that includes career-aligned education, work-based learning – like internships and apprenticeships –, skills training, and wraparound services like affordable childcare and accessible housing.

The only way for the new model for talent development to work, according to the Coalition, is that the region must find ways to increase workforce participation among underutilized populations; work to retain more of the talent trained locally; and attract new talent through strategic migration and immigration.[72]

Evolving the Region’s Talent Pipeline to Meet Business Needs Montgomery County is struggling with a skills gap—many residents lack credentialing beyond high school (approximately 42% hold an associate degree or higher). As a result, fields that require technical skills—cybersecurity, data analytics, IT, engineering, and health sciences—are experiencing increasing demand with insufficiently qualified candidates. Additionally, critical shortages exist among practical professions like nurses, LPNs, and skilled trades (plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians). Historical regional studies from the Ohio Labor Market Information office flagged shortages in registered and licensed practical nurses, and sales roles within manufacturing—roles that are essential to sustain growth.

Reports from local employers reinforce that these shortages are real: vacancies remain open for months and wages have yet to fully adjust to attract talent.

The Dayton area is experiencing notable workforce shortages, especially as high school graduation rates decline through 2050 and a wave of baby-boomer retirements emerges. Another factor contributing to the worker shortage - more than $7 billion of capital investment committed in the broader region since 2021 with companies like Sierra Nevada Corporation, Joby Aviation, and Fuyao Glass America investing in Montgomery County. According to the Employers’ Workforce Coalition, which represents a 14-county region including Montgomery County, the region expects to gain 59,000 net new jobs by 2030.

To better address the workforce shortages, local businesses, workforce development groups, and community nonprofits are partnering with high schools, local colleges and universities, and Montgomery County Workforce Development to build better pipelines of talent. Through curriculum development, job-readiness skill building efforts, training programs, certificates, and micro-credentialing all are working so employees of the future are ready or trainable. At the Miami Valley Career Technology Center, various medical pathways are offered for students to select. According to the Clayton-based high school, enrollment for pre-nursing is up 64 percent in three years. With the skills and certifications students earn, some can become registered nurses soon after graduation.[71]

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The Miami Valley Urban League (MVUL) has several programs that provide skills training to help adults grasp a brighter future. Its Solid Opportunities for Advancement and Retention (SOAR) program, considered a flagship initiative, provides coaching and skills development to equip adults with crucial skills for today’s dynamic workforce.

The League also is a partner organization for the state’s WorkOhio initiative, the Equity Center’s Power Class, where graduates can earn their Forklift License and Certified Manufacturing Associate Certification, opening doors to new opportunities in the manufacturing and logistics industries.

Several other local programs include the: > Montgomery County Workforce Development’s College to Work program, under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), provides college students with practical, career-relevant experience through internships and apprenticeships aligned with their academic pursuits.

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> The AFL-CIO Building Futures Program serves as an entry point to careers in the skilled trades. This intensive 6-week pre-apprenticeship course provides hands-on exposure to multiple construction trades and prepares participants to transition into registered apprenticeships. Each participant earns four industryrecognized certifications.

Even though career training programs and pathways exist in the region, lack of awareness among people who are under-employed or unemployed is a problem.

The Miami Valley Urban League alongside other community organizations such as Npower, Dayton Equity Center, Omega CDC, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Wesley Community Center, and Black Brothers Black Sisters Involvement act as community-based training providers to help grow individuals’ job readiness skills, facilitate reskill or upskill, or prepare them for careers in the tech market. Some programs work with specific constituencies, such as veterans and women.

The table below shows the monthly average for the top 20 most frequently posted job openings for Montgomery County:

TOP 20 JOB POSTINGS Job Title

Average Number of Openings per Month Oct 2024 - Sep 2025

Registered Nurses

680

Maintenance Technicians

527

State Tested Nursing Assistants

348

Delivery Drivers

330

Customer Service Representatives

325

Skills Gap Analysis: Montgomery County

CDL-A Truck Drivers

308

The following chart presents data aggregated from multiple job posting platforms, comparing the top 10 in-demand skills among Montgomery County employers with the number of job seekers who report having those skills in their online profiles.

Findings reveal that in eight of the 10 skill categories, the demand for talent exceeds the local supply — meaning there are more job openings requiring these skills than candidates who possess them. This imbalance underscores a widening skills gap between what employers need and what job seekers currently offer.

Addressing this gap through targeted training, upskilling, and workforce-aligned education programs is essential to strengthening the region’s talent pipeline and sustaining long-term economic growth.

Licensed Practical Nurses

305

Team Members

285

Assistant Managers

277

General Managers

270

Physical Therapists

210

Housekeepers

201

Speech Language Pathologists

199

Sales Associates

196

Crew Members

196

Home Health Aides

194

Cashiers

192

Sales Representatives

190

Warehouse Associates

183

Project Managers

183

TOP SPECIALIZED SKILLS Skills

Postings

% of Total Postings

Nursing

5,361

7%

3,513

1%

20.1%

Merchandising

3,714

5%

4,557

2%

15%

Project Management

3,546

5%

20,572

8%

19.8%

Auditing

3,540

5%

7,223

3%

21.8%

Marketing

3,485

5%

18,005

7%

23%

Restaurant Operations

2,440

3%

2,000

1%

28%

Warehousing

2,376

3%

3,768

1%

13%

Accounting

2,371

3%

7,621

3%

24%

Inventory Management

2,371

3%

6,574

2%

12.6%

Selling Techniques

2,347

3%

3,738

1%

-1.2%

Rapidly growing

Growing

Profiles

% of Total Profiles

Projected Skill Growth

Lagging

Source: Lightcast.IO

Source: Lightcast.IO

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Where the Opportunities Are Several sectors offer promising opportunities for workers who upskill or reskill. The manufacturing resurgence, driven by reshoring and investments in electric vehicles and aerospace, creates roles across the spectrum, from entry-level technicians to engineers. As an aerospace innovation hub, the region is rich with roles from advanced manufacturing, logistics, research, and development. In the healthcare industry, other opportunities include the growing need for behavioral health specialists and crisis care professionals.

Local educational institutions—including Sinclair Community College, University of Dayton, and Wright State University—anchor training pipelines. Plus, cross-sector collaborations with Montgomery County’s Workforce Development Talent Team and the grants from the WIOA and Youth Career Service are helping students access STEM and career-track programming.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes that devastated parts of the region underscored the importance of community-responsive workforce systems. Pipelines can’t be built in isolation. Providers must embed supports and infrastructure that anticipates crises, prioritizes equity, and partners with organizations and grassroots leaders. That’s how we can ensure the Black community, and the region achieves a more inclusive, resilient future.

Black-owned Businesses: Underrepresented and Undercapitalized For Black Americans, entrepreneurship offers a pathway to bridge the racial wealth gap. Black business owners have up to 12 times the wealth compared to their non-business-owning counterparts. Owning a business enables families to accumulate assets, generate income, and pass down knowledge and wealth to future generations.

A new report on the economic impact of Ohio’s Black-owned businesses by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation states that Ohio’s Black businesses generate $12.5 billion (about 2% of Ohio’s GDP) in value-added and $22.98 billion (about 3% of Ohio’s GDP) in total output annually. In the report, about 65% of business owners surveyed said they started their own businesses, rather than inheriting them or purchasing them, and most, 54.5%, were sole proprietorships.

Despite contributing significantly to Ohio’s economy, Black-owned business owners say they continue to face systemic challenges that hinder their full potential, according to the report’s survey findings. The top two challenges: limited access to capital, with 58.4% of business owners surveyed reporting discriminatory practices in securing financing or credit, most rely on business earnings (66%), personal funds (12.3%), or high-cost financing options rather than traditional bank loans or equity investments and market access barriers. More than 50% of business owners report difficulties bidding for or winning contracts, particularly government and corporate opportunities, due to systemic barriers in procurement requirements and limited access to decision-makers.

Some Black-owned businesses in Dayton—from construction firms to logistics companies—have been able to grow by winning contracts connected to the base.

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WPAFB, which is the home base and headquarters for the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), brings significant contracting opportunities, innovation access, and economic support for small businesses because it is a major defense hub that relies on agile small firms for specialized technology, parts, and services.

Its dedicated offices connect businesses to multibillion dollar needs. In fiscal year 2025, AFMC spent $1.38 billion with Ohio small businesses — and $1.27 billion with Dayton-area businesses in Ohio’s 10th congressional district, which is primarily Montgomery, Greene and parts of Clark counties.[73] The Miami Valley Urban League strategically partners with minority-owned businesses to provide grants, business support, and capacity-building advice.

Through its administration of the city of Dayton’s Resiliency Fund, small Black and Brown-owned businesses can get micro-grants up to $10,000 for operational needs, equipment, and expansion. The Resiliency Fund was created to help small minority-owned businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the MVUL, in partnership with The Entrepreneurs’ Center, hosts the newly launched Innovative Business Resource Opportunity Center (IBROC), which streamlines access to resources for the entrepreneurial community and serves as a convener and capacity builder, helping to support and align the Business Support Organizations (BSOs).

But despite notable entrepreneurial spirit and community resilience, Black-owned businesses in Dayton remain significantly underrepresented across the most profitable industries and severely undercapitalized compared to non-Black-owned businesses. These disparities are not coincidental, but the result of long-standing systemic barriers, insufficient intra-community circulation of dollars, limited access to financial institutions, and underdeveloped ecosystems of collaboration.

In order for African Americans in the Dayton region to realize their full economic

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potential, they must confront these realities with intentionality, systemic solutions, and a collective will to build an economic infrastructure that serves our own communities first.

Black-owned businesses in Dayton are heavily concentrated in: > Food service (restaurants, catering) > Hair care and beauty services

One Barrier: Access to Capital

> Retail (clothing, convenience stores)

Minority entrepreneurs often face rejection of loan applications, and even when loans are acquired, they are often approved at higher percentage rates, which impedes growth. “All recent indicators of personal wealth and access to financial capital point to worsening conditions for entrepreneurs,” the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) reports.[74] Lack of liquidity translates into the need to leverage greater debt loads for Black-owned and other minority businesses. Lower credit scores and increased debts further limit access to low-interest rates and other secured loans, creating a greater risk of insolvency or bankruptcy.

> Transportation (small logistics, ride-sharing)

As the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation report found, a lack of access to capital places a greater burden on individual business owners to invest directly from personal savings into the business without offsetting transfers with outside credit investments. This further diminishes the business owner’s ability to build a solid credit history.

The Current Landscape: Black-Owned Businesses vs. Non-Black-Owned Businesses in Dayton According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau Annual Business Survey (2023) and the Dayton Regional Data Hub, Black residents comprise approximately 42% of Dayton’s population, however, Black-owned businesses represent less than 10% of all businesses in the region. Of those Black-owned businesses, nearly 90% are sole proprietorships with no employees other than the owner. That limits their capacity to generate employment and bring in revenue. In contrast, non-Blackowned businesses are more likely to have employees, larger gross receipts, and operate in higher-revenue industries.

The revenue disparities are stark; the average annual revenue for a Black-owned business in Dayton is approximately $35,000 compared to $650,000 for Whiteowned businesses. This revenue gap reflects limited access to high-growth sectors, undercapitalization, and systemic exclusion from mainstream economic networks.

Industry Participation Gap: Where the Revenue Is and Isn’t According to Dayton regional industry data and national patterns reflected in Brookings Institution reports: The highest-revenue sectors in Dayton are: > Manufacturing > Construction > Information Technology and Software Development > Healthcare Services (specialty care, outpatient centers)

The City of Dayton’s Human Relations Council (HRC) helps empower small businesses by connecting them to opportunities through the Procurement Enhancement Plan (PEP). This initiative ensures that small businesses receive fair consideration for city contracts, particularly when workforce capacity is available.

In 2024, over $14 million in contracts were awarded to small businesses through PEP. HRC can set participation goals for minority-owned and small businesses on major city projects. Many of the participation opportunities are within the construction sector. While the city has made notable progress, many construction contracts still proceed without PEP goals due to a shortage of PEP-certified businesses in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing, and architectural services.

More black-owned companies are needed to help meet demand and expand participation in city projects.

A major concern is Black-owned businesses are largely absent from industries that generate multi-million-dollar revenues and build generational wealth. As a result, even as entrepreneurs, many Black business owners remain trapped in subsistence, not scaling enterprises.

The Need to Access Business Support Services Black entrepreneurs are often first-time business owners and don’t have or know where to receive business support services. Those services can include help with business planning, bookkeeping, taxes, and other support services. The lack of connecting to immediate operating support makes a clear and long-lasting impact on these businesses’ bottom line. In one example of the untapped potential lost from diminished support, a JP Morgan Chase study showed that minority and Black-owned businesses were the “least likely to earn $1 million in revenue within five years of starting their business.”[75] In addition to the initial five years, those same revenue gaps between minority-owned and majority-owned firms remained consistent over time.

Support services make a difference in the ability of a business to access capital.

For example, most lending institutions – and even more community-focused banks, such as Fifth Third and Wright-Patt Credit Union in the Dayton region – state a preference and a requirement for financial records prepared by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Tracking revenues, profits, and losses is crucial in accurately assessing a business’ financial health when making lending decisions.

The City of Dayton continues to make valuable investments in small businesses and minority entrepreneurs, including strategically directing $7 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support Black and Brown business development, growth, and longevity.

> Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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Black Economic Spending Power: A Missed Opportunity

> Black owned businesses are underrepresented in high-revenue sectors.

The Selig Center for Economic Growth, 2024 finds that Black Americans nationwide possess a collective buying power estimated at $1.6 trillion.

Locally, Black Daytonians control an estimated $1.2 billion in spending power annually, according to the Dayton Development Coalition.

> They are undercapitalized.

Yet, according to consumer behavior studies, less than 3% of that spending is with Black-owned businesses. Which means, the overwhelming majority of dollars earned by Black Daytonians immediately leave the Black economy enriching other communities and sustaining their businesses while ours struggle to survive. This leakage of wealth is perhaps the greatest barrier to Black economic advancement.

> And the Black community is underspending with the Black community.

Dismantling systemic barriers to wealth building for Black entrepreneurs continues to be a priority for Dayton’s residents and elected officials. Although job creation in Dayton has increased, programs that convey economic growth, generational wealth, and community benefits from expanding pathways to entrepreneurship call for ongoing policy shifts. Successful businesses do more than generate revenue, create jobs, and add to the local economy. Other benefits include improved educational outcomes, health benefits, housing, lower unemployment rates, and more.

Moving from Vision to Action The barriers facing Black economic advancement are real and deeply rooted in historic inequities. Yet the capacity to dismantle those barriers also exists within Dayton’s institutions, businesses, and communities. Real progress will require intentional collaboration, targeted investment, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunity.

The Dayton region’s next chapter should be defined not by the persistence of inequality, but by the deliberate creation of systems that build wealth, support entrepreneurship, and expand access to opportunity. By organizing resources, investing in businesses, and strengthening collaborative networks, the region can transform the goal of Black economic empowerment from a long-deferred aspiration into a sustained and measurable reality.

IN CONCLUSION Closing the region’s skills and equity gaps will require intentional, multilayered efforts. First, access to training must be expanded and simplified. That means bringing programs into neighborhoods—mobile learning hubs, evening/ weekend classes, and direct employer involvement to reduce barriers like transportation and childcare.

Second, a cultural shift needs to occur: careers in skilled trades, healthcare, and IT must be portrayed as equally valid routes to prosperity, on par with traditional college paths.

Third, partnerships are critical. By aligning K–12, postsecondary, industry, and community-based organizations, a seamless talent pipeline can be created that responds quickly to labor market demand.

Finally, investment in support systems—wraparound services like childcare, mental health, and transportation—is essential so trainees can complete programs successfully. If the region commits to data-driven strategies, adaptation, and shared accountability, we can build a resilient workforce and equitable prosperity.

Recommendations: Building Sustainable Black Economic Power in Dayton Strengthening Black economic mobility in Dayton requires intentional strategies that expand opportunity, build wealth, and remove structural barriers that have historically limited access to capital and markets. While the challenges facing Black entrepreneurs and workers are significant, Dayton also possesses a growing ecosystem of institutions, programs, and community leadership capable of supporting a more inclusive economy.

The following recommendations outline practical steps that can strengthen the region’s Black business community and expand pathways to long-term economic empowerment:

INCREASE INTRA-COMMUNITY SPENDING Economic empowerment begins with intentional consumer behavior.

Increasing intra-community spending—often referred to as “buying Black”— can help retain dollars within the community and stimulate business growth. Supporting Black-owned businesses should not be viewed as charity, but as an economic strategy that builds wealth, creates jobs, and strengthens local neighborhoods.

Expanding initiatives such as Black business directories, community campaigns like “Buy Black Dayton,” and incentive programs that encourage residents and institutions to support Black-owned enterprises can increase visibility and demand. Local governments, anchor institutions, and large employers can also contribute by intentionally diversifying their procurement practices to include more Black-owned vendors.

EXPAND ACCESS TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND CAPITAL Access to capital remains one of the most persistent barriers for Black entrepreneurs. Building strong relationships with financial institutions is

If Blacks in the Dayton region are to thrive economically, we must confront hard truths:

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essential for securing affordable credit, financing expansion, and sustaining long-term business growth. Black-owned businesses should be encouraged to establish and maintain relationships with banks, credit unions, and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) operating in the region.

Practical strategies to strengthen these relationships include attending financial literacy and small-business training workshops, maintaining active business banking accounts, meeting regularly with business banking representatives, and leveraging minority-focused lending programs designed to expand access to capital. These efforts can help entrepreneurs build the financial credibility necessary to access loans, investment funding, and lines of credit that support scaling and sustainability.

STRENGTHEN THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PIPELINE Long-term economic empowerment requires a strong pipeline of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial education and exposure should begin early and continue throughout adulthood. Expanding high school entrepreneurship programs, collegiate accelerators, and workforce reskilling initiatives can help cultivate the next generation of Black business leaders.

Targeted incubators and accelerators specifically designed to support Black-owned businesses should receive sustained investment, mentorship resources, and access to capital. Programs that combine training, coaching, and financial support are more likely to produce viable businesses and longterm economic growth.

EXPAND FEDERAL CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE Federal contracting represents a significant opportunity for regional businesses. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), one of the largest economic drivers in the Dayton region, offers procurement opportunities that Black-owned businesses can pursue.

position by forming joint ventures to pursue larger contracts, establishing cooperative purchasing networks that reduce operational costs, and sharing information about suppliers, opportunities, and market trends.

Collective economic strategies can allow smaller businesses to pool resources, increase their competitiveness, and expand their reach into new markets. Collaboration transforms individual success into shared prosperity and helps build the economic infrastructure necessary for long-term community wealth.

INCREASE WRAPAROUND SERVICES FOR ENTREPRENEURS Entrepreneurs at every stage—from aspiring founders to established businesses—benefit from comprehensive support services. These services should address operational capacity building, financial management, marketing strategy, networking, and access to investment capital. Demand for quality technical assistance, including bookkeeping, tax preparation, data-driven marketing, and business planning, continues to grow across the region.

Dayton already possesses a robust ecosystem of organizations that provide these supports. Key partners include The Entrepreneurs Center, Greater West Dayton Incubator, Miami Valley Urban League, City of Dayton Human Relations Council, Central State University, Dayton Metro Library, Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI), Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC), SCORE Dayton, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).

Strengthening coordination among these institutions can ensure that entrepreneurs receive the comprehensive services necessary to stabilize and grow their businesses.

Businesses interested in federal contracting should register in SAM.gov (System for Award Management) to identify contracting opportunities and maintain eligibility. Entrepreneurs can also engage directly with WPAFB’s Small Business Professionals for guidance on navigating federal procurement processes. Participation in workshops and outreach events allows businesses to build relationships with procurement officials and better understand contracting requirements. Programs such as the Ohio APEX Accelerator and Tech Warrior Enterprise provide technical assistance to help businesses prepare capability statements, respond to Requests for Information (RFIs), and compete for government contracts.

PROMOTE COLLABORATION AND COLLECTIVE ECONOMICS Economic growth is accelerated when businesses collaborate rather than compete in isolation. Black entrepreneurs can strengthen their market

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COMMUNITY VOICES What We Heard from the Community Participants described a significant digital divide across Dayton and Montgomery County. Some neighborhoods benefit from reliable broadband access and modern technology, while others struggle with limited connectivity and outdated devices.

Students in lower-income households were described as relying on libraries or public Wi-Fi to complete schoolwork. Small business owners also reported difficulties competing online due to limited digital skills and access to training. Participants emphasized that digital literacy is increasingly necessary for employment, education, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.

Why It Matters Access to technology is no longer optional. Digital connectivity influences educational success, workforce participation, and economic opportunity.

Addressing digital inequities is essential for ensuring inclusive participation in the modern economy.

Community-Informed Recommendations > Expand affordable broadband access across underserved neighborhoods > Increase digital literacy training for youth and adults > Support small businesses in building online and e-commerce capacity > Strengthen partnerships between libraries, schools, and training programs > Improve coordination among digital inclusion initiatives

Trusted Community Partners Mentioned

BEING

CONNECTED

Dayton Metro Library, Sinclair Community College, University of Dayton, The Entrepreneur Center, Dayton Development Coalition.

THE STATE OF DIGITAL ACCESS

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THE STATE OF DIGITAL ACCESS According to the National Urban League, five persistent digital gaps disproportionately affect communities of color. They are the availability gap, the adoption gap, the affordability gap, the access to economic opportunity gap, and the utilization gap.

In Montgomery County, multiple groups are working to improve the availability of high-speed internet and to close the adoption gap.

A strategic look at each of the five digital gaps shows why a person’s finances, their education level, where they live, or what type of devices they have or don’t have can contribute to limited access and fewer opportunities to engage in this booming information and e-commerce economy.

In Ohio, 17 percent of residents do not have an internet-ready device and over 700,000 households lack digital skills.[76] National research shows that most adults in the United States use the internet, have a smart phone, and subscribe to high-speed internet at home. But there are notable differences by age, household income, and educational attainment.[77] Nearly all adults (95%) with an annual household income of at least $100,000 indicate they have a broadband subscription. Only 57% of adults in households that make less than $30,000 a year say they have a broadband subscription, according to Pew Center research.[78] Access to high-speed internet is a necessity in today’s world. For businesses and entrepreneurs, digital access and e-commerce serve as a gateway to market access, scalability, and sustainability. However, many Black-owned businesses lack adequate websites, e-commerce platforms, and digital marketing strategies. Strategies to address those issues could include providing free or low-cost training in website development, SEO, and e-commerce management or offering grants or subsidies to help Black businesses to upgrade their technology infrastructure.

In southwest Ohio, the digital divide hinders equal participation and opportunity and disproportionately affects older adults, people in rural areas, people of color, households with low incomes, people with disabilities, and veterans.[79] According to Broadband Ohio’s Ohio Digital Opportunity Plan, the top four populations with the greatest need are rural; people aged 60 or over; households with incomes at or below 150% (of the federal poverty line); and racial and ethnic minorities.

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Local statistics prove that point. In the city of Dayton, the percent of people age 65 and older without a computer in the household is 20.4%, which is double the U.S. average and almost as high as Cleveland’s percentage even though Cleveland is more than twice the size of Dayton.[80] Historical data from the City of Dayton affirms that high-poverty neighborhoods in West and Northwest Dayton are in the deepest cracks of the digital divide in the region. That includes some households in zip codes: 45405, 45406, 45402, 45414, 45417.

Fifty percent of the state’s households without high-speed internet subscriptions are located in 10 of Ohio’s 88 counties, especially Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery, and Summit counties.[81] In Montgomery County, about 89% of the households have broadband internet service, which is consistent with the 88% statewide average and 89% national average. There are 10,578 households in the county that lack internet service and almost 30,000 households that have a cellular data plan with no other type of internet subscription.[82] Research indicates that those smartphone-dependent individuals might be in lower-income households.

Imagine how difficult it is to only have your smartphone to apply for jobs or update your resume. Many people without computers or high-speed internet service go to a Dayton Metro Library branch or the Montgomery County (OH) Job Center to access technology. Another alternative is the Montgomery County Workforce Development Mobile Workforce Unit, which the department takes into the community to help people without internet access to build their resumes, apply for jobs, and get one-on-one counseling.

As society becomes more reliant on internet technology, many vulnerable demographic groups are at risk of being left behind, making it harder for them to fully participate in the communities they occupy. The connectivity issue can be unique between urban and rural communities. For rural communities, the issue is more about infrastructure. But both urban and rural communities experience issues with affordability and digital literacy. The areas in need of the most broadband investment are usually the same areas that have been historically disadvantaged and that display other social issues in the present day.

Maps of the multi-county Miami Valley from BroadbandOhio, an office in the Ohio Department of Development working to bridge the digital divide for all Ohioans, show a lack of broadband infrastructure throughout many rural communities. But they also show some significant gaps in Trotwood, where about 63% of residents identify as African American. In July 2023, Montgomery County published the “Montgomery County Broadband Plan” to develop a comprehensive broadband community assessment to provide the county with the information needed to analyze, select, and implement the best solutions to improve broadband connectivity and affordability across the entire county.

Despite not addressing race or the Black community specifically, both Trotwood and West Dayton were highlighted within the strategic plan as priority areas for broadband investment.

Montgomery County has embarked on an effort to expand fiber networks in the northern part of the county and to increase broadband to rural areas on the

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western and northern edges of the county where gaps exist around Brookville, Englewood, Jefferson Twp., and Trotwood.[83]

COVID-19 and the Digital Divide The onset of the COVID pandemic and the massive impact it had on society brought further attention to the lack of access to reliable Wi-Fi and computers in low-income communities.

The social distancing and isolation that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic produced many connectivity challenges. Workers designated as “nonessential” were asked to work from home or away from the office; academic students were required to engage in remote instruction; and many noncontact outpatient services transitioned to being delivered virtually via telehealth. While these steps were implemented to help limit the spread of COVID-19 infection, they exposed disparities and deficiencies related to digital access that millions across the nation had been dealing with even before the pandemic. While some households and neighborhoods were well-equipped for the shift to digital interaction, a considerable quantity of Americans found themselves stuck in a state of ‘disconnectivity’ that made an already difficult crisis environment even more challenging. This unfortunate reality pointed to an urgent nationwide need to invest in broadband infrastructure and digital inclusion.

At the local level, many stakeholders scrambled to adjust to the COVID-related digital shifts and how they specifically impacted the greater Dayton area. As the 2020-2021 school year approached, the state of Ohio allocated $50 million to provide students with computers and hot spots. Montgomery County and local school systems collaborated with public entities and other community stakeholders to secure and distribute the needed technology to households experiencing “internet insecurity.”[84] The City of Dayton worked with BroadbandOhio to implement a broadband expansion to provide high-speed internet to three community recreation centers: Greater Dayton Recreation Center, the Lohrey Recreation Center, and the Northwest Recreation Center, which were all open to the public and free to enter. The recreation centers provided a safe space for students after school as well as numerous programs for children and adults. The new infrastructure enabled people in these facilities to connect to the internet on their own devices and allowed the centers to offer programs that help teach digital skills.[85] The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) hosted the Miami Valley Regional Broadband & Digital Equity Forum, convening relevant leaders and statewide practitioners working toward progress on broadband infrastructure and access challenges.

The University of Dayton, City of Dayton, and CareSource Foundation partnered for a day of programming focused on digital learning and digital literacy, to be hosted annually. This event brought many community partners together to ensure residents have familiarity and access to those providing the social services that can assist with their digital challenges.

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Libraries as Essential Hubs for Digital Access and Learning Public libraries have long served as critical community infrastructure for addressing the digital divide by providing free access to internet connectivity, technology, and digital literacy support.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries across Montgomery County expanded these efforts to help residents maintain access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment resources. For example, a private space was made available at the Main Library for patrons without reliable home internet to attend telehealth appointments. Libraries also partnered with broadband providers through initiatives such as the Get Connected program, supported by funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the CARES Act, to help connect households to low-cost internet service.

Additional federal support strengthened these local efforts. In 2021, funding from the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund enabled the acquisition of Chromebooks and mobile hotspots that could be loaned to community members lacking reliable internet or devices. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations such as CompUDopt, these devices were distributed to residents who needed them for remote learning, job searches, and daily online tasks.

At the regional level, the Miami Valley Urban League played a leadership role in implementing the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) beginning in December 2021. The ACP provided eligible households with monthly discounts on broadband service and internet-enabled devices. Libraries contributed to the initiative by serving as trusted community access points where residents could learn about the program and receive assistance navigating the application process. Branch-level staff were trained in partnership with Ohio Connectivity Champions to help patrons understand eligibility requirements and complete applications. Outreach also occurred through library-based programs such as Homework Help sessions and food distribution events, where residents most likely to benefit from reduced-cost internet access could receive information and support.

More broadly, libraries function as accessible technology hubs that help communities adapt to an increasingly digital society. Montgomery County’s

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library branches collectively serve hundreds of thousands of residents and provide free access to public computers, Wi-Fi, digital databases, and technology programming. The demand for these services remains particularly high in neighborhoods with lower household incomes and limited home broadband access, highlighting the continuing need for public digital infrastructure.

Libraries also support digital literacy through classes and workshops that help residents build foundational technology skills. Programs addressing topics such as online safety, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital communication tools help individuals navigate an evolving digital landscape. Access to these skills has become increasingly important as essential services—including job applications, healthcare systems, and government programs—move online.

Assistive technologies and adaptive devices further ensure that digital resources are accessible to a wider range of users, including individuals with disabilities or limited mobility. Outreach programs extend these services to residents who are unable to visit library locations, including individuals living in nursing homes or assisted living communities who may rely on mobile devices with data connectivity to remain connected to family, healthcare providers, and community resources.

Technology access and digital literacy have become essential determinants of economic mobility, health outcomes, and overall quality of life. For residents who lack reliable broadband, devices, or the skills needed to navigate digital systems, meeting basic needs—from applying for jobs to scheduling medical appointments— can become significantly more difficult. In this context, libraries continue to play an important role as community institutions that help bridge gaps in access and knowledge while supporting broader regional efforts to expand digital equity.

For Some, Cost of Home Internet is Prohibitive For low-income households, particularly those earning at or below 150% of the federal poverty line, the cost of home internet is a barrier. Without home internet, it is difficult to access skills training, work remotely, or participate in telehealth appointments, which limits economic opportunities and could impact health outcomes. In a state internet access survey, 67% of low-income respondents said they pay $51 or more for their monthly home internet bill, but only 24% are willing to pay this much for the speed and reliability they require. [86] Tens of thousands of local residents took advantage of the Affordable Connectivity Program and received a subsidy to help pay their internet bill. The ACP provided a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Enrollees could also receive a onetime discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contributed more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.[87] The Institute for Local Self-Reliance reported that about 69% (99,759 total) of eligible households within the Greater Dayton area (to include both Greene County and Montgomery County, and portions of Clark County) were enrolled in the ACP as of February 2024. This was higher than both the statewide percentage (57.6%), and the nationwide percentage (44%). However, in June of 2024, the ACP ended after Congress did not extend funding. Over 23 million households

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were enrolled in the ACP at the time the program stopped accepting new enrollments.[88] Those on the plan had the option to pay a higher bill, switch to low-cost plans offered by their internet provider, or drop the service. The federal Lifeline program, which provides a $9 per month discount on phone or broadband service for eligible low-income households, was and is also available, but most people enrolled use that benefit for mobile offerings.

Efforts To Improve Connectivity and Digital Literacy Vary By Community Current efforts to improve digital access across Dayton and the Miami Valley are multidirectional and multifaceted. The local community comprises both urban and rural areas, in addition to varying built environments and household/ neighborhood socioeconomic statuses. This results in differing immediate priorities and long-term needs. For example, some communities with functional broadband infrastructure might prioritize affordability or digital literacy so that residents can sustainably and safely utilize the internet coverage already available to them. While other communities without a base level of broadband coverage must establish the infrastructure first before even beginning to consider their affordability and literacy needs.

These disparate urgencies within proximal communities present some difficulty in aligning local approaches and collaborating for the most impactful results. This leads to an all-too-common theme among communities across the nation; residents with status and resources being first in line to secure the best that connectivity has to offer, while those without are at the mercy of stakeholders and decision-makers juggling numerous priorities. With African Americans in Ohio considerably overrepresented in the state’s population-in-poverty, such realities do not bode well for Blacks in the Dayton region.

The Miami Valley Urban League works to improve digital literacy through its EMERGE Workforce & STEM Program for high school students. The program teaches job readiness, digital literacy, and introduces topics such as understanding emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Through hands-on Science,Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities and job-readiness training, students are exposed to career-defining possibilities.

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The Impact of Generative AI on Black Mobility Generative AI, which is a subset of artificial intelligence, uses learned patterns to create new content. According to the report, “The impact of generative AI on Black communities” by McKinsey & Company, if nothing changes, Black employees will be at risk of job losses due to the emerging technology because Black people are overrepresented in four of the top five occupations at risk of automation: office support, production work, food services, and mechanical installation and repair.[89] Also, gen AI has the potential to alter professional pathways that many Black workers rely on to go from low-wage to higher paying roles. Those pathways include jobs that provide livable wages and the potential for an upward career trajectory without requiring a four-year college degree. According to the report, between 2030 and 2060, gen AI may be able to perform about half of the jobs that many workers without degrees have pursued—closing a pathway to upward mobility that many Black workers have relied on.

Recommendations to Reach a Better Digital Future Expanding digital access and literacy requires coordinated investments in infrastructure, skills, and community-based support systems. As technology and artificial intelligence reshape the labor market and daily life, communities must ensure that residents have both the tools and the knowledge needed to fully participate in the digital economy. The following recommendations highlight strategies identified by national research organizations and regional digital inclusion leaders.

To protect future opportunities, the report suggests that workers choose jobs in professional fields with low-automation adoption rates and with annual average wages of at least $42,000.

IN CONCLUSION the digital divide. State initiatives such as BroadbandOhio are working to expand broadband infrastructure while preparing a workforce capable of supporting the state’s growing digital economy. Locally, initiatives like the Dayton–Montgomery County Digital Equity Initiative, launched in 2020, have brought together public agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, housing authorities, and internet service providers to expand broadband access for residents in public housing communities. These partnerships have helped connect more than 1,000 residents to high-speed internet and distribute hundreds of devices to support remote learning, job searches, and everyday digital needs.

Across the region, collaboration among organizations has continued through stakeholder convenings and partnerships involving entities such as the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC), the City of Dayton, Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Educational Service Center, and internet service providers including altafiber and Spectrum. In addition, the Southwest Ohio Regional Digital Inclusion Alliance, led by the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, provides a regional platform for coordinating digital inclusion efforts across the Miami Valley.

Closing the digital divide will require sustained investment in broadband infrastructure, expanded digital literacy training, and continued collaboration among public institutions, private-sector partners, and community organizations. As access to jobs, education, healthcare, and public services increasingly moves online, ensuring equitable digital access will be critical to strengthening economic opportunity and improving quality of life throughout the Dayton region.

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INVEST IN WORKFORCE RESKILLING FOR THE AI ECONOMY Research from McKinsey & Company emphasizes that many workers face potential displacement as generative artificial intelligence and automation reshape industries. Preparing workers for this shift requires expanding reskilling opportunities that focus on durable, transferable skills rather than narrow job-specific training. Programs should emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and digital fluency—capabilities that are less susceptible to automation and more adaptable across occupations.

Workforce development systems, educational institutions, and employers should collaborate to ensure workers have access to training that prepares them for emerging roles in a technology-driven economy.

EXPAND PUBLIC WI-FI IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES The Southwest Ohio Digital Inclusion Alliance recommends prioritizing neighborhoods that remain unserved or underserved by reliable broadband infrastructure when expanding public Wi-Fi access. Strategic investments in connectivity at community hubs—such as libraries, recreation centers, and

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neighborhood facilities—can help residents access essential online services when home broadband is unavailable or unaffordable.

IMPROVE CONSUMER UNDERSTANDING OF BROADBAND OPTIONS Many households struggle to navigate the complexities of internet service plans, speeds, and pricing structures. Increasing public education about broadband options can help residents make informed decisions about service plans and better understand the differences between connection speeds and performance levels needed for activities such as telehealth, remote learning, and job searches.

PAIR DEVICE DISTRIBUTION WITH ESSENTIAL SOFTWARE TOOLS Access to hardware alone is insufficient if individuals lack the software necessary to participate in education, employment, and communication platforms. Device distribution programs should ensure that laptops, tablets, and other devices include commonly used productivity software suites—such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace—so users can fully engage in online work, learning, and collaboration.

learn foundational technology skills, receive technical assistance, and build confidence navigating digital tools. Strengthening partnerships with these institutions can expand the reach of digital inclusion efforts and ensure that training opportunities are accessible to the residents who need them most.

Together, these strategies highlight that closing the digital divide requires more than expanding broadband infrastructure. It also requires investments in human capital, community partnerships, and ongoing education so that residents are equipped not only with internet access, but with the skills and resources necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Reliable internet access and digital literacy have become essential infrastructure for economic mobility, education, healthcare access, and civic participation. For many Black residents in the Dayton region, however, gaps in broadband availability, device access, and digital skills continue to create barriers to opportunity. Addressing these disparities requires recognizing connectivity not as a luxury, but as a basic necessity for participation in modern life.

Recent regional efforts demonstrate the importance of collaboration in closing

LEVERAGE TRUSTED COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS FOR DIGITAL SKILLS TRAINING Digital literacy programs are often most effective when delivered through trusted local organizations that residents already rely on for services and support. Community centers, libraries, schools, and communitybased organizations can serve as accessible locations where individuals

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COMMUNITY VOICES What We Heard from the Community Participants described strong connections between educational inequities, economic instability, and involvement in the criminal justice system. Youth who encounter the justice system often face untreated trauma or mental health challenges earlier in life.

Residents noted disparities in how individuals are treated based on neighborhood, race, and access to legal resources. Participants also raised concerns about barriers faced by individuals returning from incarceration, including limited access to employment, housing, and other essential supports.

Trust between communities and law enforcement was described as fragile in some neighborhoods. Participants emphasized the need for transparency, fairness, and stronger relationships between public safety institutions and residents.

Why It Matters Justice system outcomes affect long-term economic opportunity, family stability, and community trust. Preventive strategies and fair treatment are essential to strengthening both public safety and community well-being.

Community-Informed Recommendations > Expand youth mentoring and prevention programs > Increase mental health support within schools and courts > Strengthen reentry services and record sealing programs > Promote community policing and relationship building > Invest in restorative justice and prevention strategies

JUSTICE FOR ALL

Trusted Community Partners Mentioned Montgomery County Juvenile Court, community-based mentoring programs, faith-based organizations, Miami Valley Urban League.

THE STATE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

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THE STATE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE The relationship between law enforcement and Black residents in Montgomery County is multifaceted and has continued to evolve since the last “State of Black Dayton” report. Blacks in the Dayton region, including youth, remain disproportionately affected by violent crime, particularly gun-related incidents, highlighting the ongoing need for both public safety efforts and community engagement strategies.

The same is true nationwide. Despite crime rates and murder rates dropping across much of the United States, African Americans continue to be disproportionately impacted as victims and arrestees. Using 2023 data, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Gun Violence Solutions reports that in Ohio: > Black people were 16 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts > Young Black males, ages 15-34, made up 2% of Ohio’s population, but accounted for 39% of all gun homicide deaths in 2023. > Black females were 11 times as likely to die by gun homicide than white females.

In Montgomery County, during 2022-2023, the Black Male homicide rate of 65.5 per 100,000 was more than 5 times greater than the overall county homicide rate of 11.5 per 100,000. Research links higher gun violence to societal issues such as concentrated poverty, housing segregation, and a lack of economic opportunity.

Too many African Americans are dying at the nozzle of a gun. Even when looking at suicides, Ohio had the 5th highest gun suicide rate among Black people in the country in 2023.

Local law enforcement is using new methods to combat violent crime and to target repeat offenders and those who illegally carry guns. At a December press conference in Dayton, Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine said 69% of suspects arrested for violent crimes statewide between 1974 and 2023 had previous arrests.[90] The Dayton Police Department is using license plate readers to help quickly identify and locate suspects. In addition, its 54-camera surveillance system, part of its Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), provides instant information to officers responding to a call. Plans include expanding the RTCC to include gunshot alerts and deploying a drone to remotely respond to calls for service. The ACLU of Ohio has expressed privacy concerns over the use of drones.

There still is mistrust of the criminal justice system. A 2024 Pew Research Center study found that about three-quarters (74%) of Black adults say the prison system was designed to hold Black people back a great deal or a fair amount.

Similar percentages say the same about the courts and judicial process (70%) and policing (68%).[91] Events such as the 2020 death of George Floyd during an interaction with Minneapolis police officers led to widespread protests across the country and renewed public attention on the criminal justice system. Locally, there have been incidents that have sparked community reaction, such as the death of John Crawford, who was shot by police in a Beavercreek Walmart store in 2014. These events prompted increased dialogue about policing practices, oversight, and reform.

Montgomery County has a population of 537,443, with 22% Black, 71% White, and 7% listed in other categories. The city of Dayton population is 137,644, with 41% Black, 48% White, and 11% listed in other categories. The segregation of Dayton - with most of the Black population living in Southwest or Northwest Dayton, and most whites living in Northeast and Southeast Dayton - continues to influence crime patterns and public safety issues, particularly in predominantly Black neighborhoods where violence is most concentrated in several small areas that have seen persistent crime issues over the last 25 years.

In 2024, nearly 60% of violent crime victims (n=1,524) in Dayton, and more specifically, 80% of homicide victims (n=41), were Black. In 2024, the data shows that Black community members are more likely to be victims of a violent crime incident. A similar pattern is observed when looking at 25 years’ worth of data.

Recent trends have also shown an increase in victims under the age of 18. In 2024, there were 10 homicide victims under the age of 18, with seven of them being Black. In comparison, there were two homicide victims under 18 in 2023. In one year, the under-age-18 victims increased by 400%. In a single incident in June 2024, seven people were shot, with two deceased. Six of the seven victims were Black, with five being 18 or younger.

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THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVIDE

Dayton’s PEACE Campaign

Dayton’s 2024 public safety data shows a sharp rise in total homicide cases, increasing to 1,524 citywide, or 32% above the previous five-year average. The increase was not evenly distributed across the city. West Dayton accounted for the largest share with 961 cases, followed by East Dayton with 479 and Central Dayton with 79, underscoring a significant geographic concentration. The data also reveals racial disparities. Black residents represented 59% of cases while making up 48% of Dayton’s population. White residents accounted for 38% of cases while representing 47% of the population. These differences suggest Black Daytonians are disproportionately impacted within this system and highlight the need to examine underlying causes, including neighborhood investment, economic conditions, policing patterns, and access to prevention resources. Most cases involved adults in their prime working years. Residents ages 18 to 49 accounted for more than seven in ten cases, showing that the burden falls heavily on individuals and families in their key earning and caregiving years. Together, the figures point to a challenge that is growing citywide, concentrated in specific neighborhoods, and deeply connected to broader questions of equity and community stability.

HOMICIDES BY YEAR

WHERE CASES ARE OCCURING West

1,600 1,500 1,400 1,300 1,200 1,100 1,000

East

479

Central

19

20

21

22

23

Black

WHO IS MOST AFFECTED Gender

Population

48%

Female 59%

Cases

White

55% 45%

Male

Age

Population

47% 38%

Cases

Other Population Cases

79

1,524 - a 32% increase vs. five-year average

24

POPULATION VS CASE SHARE

12% 2%

Source: Dayton Police Department

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961

0-11

5%

12-17 18-24

10% 21% 26%

25-34 35-49 50-64 64+

24% 12% 3%

71% are ages 18-49

To address community violence, the Dayton City Commission Office launched the PEACE Campaign in 2025 to combat these trends.[92] The PEACE Campaign is structured around community engagement, youth development, and violence reduction, emphasizing sustained, evidence-based efforts.

As part of the violence reduction component of the PEACE Campaign, Dayton is implementing a strategy led by Cure Violence Global, a data-driven, evidence-based model designed to reduce gun violence by treating it as a public health issue.[93] This approach relies on a trusted community-based organization to identify and engage high-risk individuals in neighborhoods most affected by violent crime.

Outreach workers and violence interrupters, many of whom have lived experience in the justice system, work directly in the community to mediate conflicts, disrupt cycles of retaliation, and connect individuals to social services and support systems.

Cities implementing Cure Violence typically report double-digit percentage reductions in shootings and related incidents. The model requires sustained, long-term investment and ongoing community trust to achieve lasting impact. In Dayton, this strategy is a critical component of a broader effort to reduce violence, improve public safety, and rebuild trust in historically underserved neighborhoods.

In July 2025, the city of Dayton selected the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association (GDAHA) as the primary oversight partner for the Cure Violence initiative. GDAHA will oversee implementation, coordination with Cure Violence Global, and collaboration with the community and other key partners.[94] In December 2025, GDAHA selected the community-based organization Felons with a Future to implement the program.

Law Enforcement in Montgomery County Working on Police Reforms Montgomery County has 31 law enforcement agencies, with approximately 1,550 officers covering 537,000 residents.[95] The two largest agencies are the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Dayton Police. The Dayton Police Department is authorized to have an average of 365 officers. It covers a 56.5-square-mile area and handles nearly 140,000 service calls a year. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, which is responsible for operating the Montgomery County Jail, court security, and has contracts to provide law enforcement services to Washington Township; Jefferson Township; and Harrison Township; has 240 deputies. Other municipalities have their own police departments.

According to the Police Scorecard project, analysis of arrest data from 2013 to 2023 shows that Black people were 2.6x more likely and Latinx people were 0.8x more likely than a white person to be arrested by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for low-level, non-violent offenses such as drug offenses, disorderly conduct, and vandalism.[96] The number and fragmentation of local jurisdictions complicate the implementation of consistent law enforcement policies. For example, Dayton Police has a restrictive pursuit policy that allows officers to chase only for violent felony crimes, whereas some departments allow for more discretion. For community

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members, particularly those living in predominantly Black neighborhoods, this fragmentation can create confusion about accountability, expectations, and consistency in how law enforcement responds across jurisdictional boundaries.

To ensure Ohio law enforcement agencies have consistent policies for critical issues, the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board was created in 2015 to implement recommendations from the Ohio Task Force on Community-Police Relations, which established the Ohio Collaborative Certification Process.[97] The 13 certification standards cover critical policies such as pursuits; use of force (deadly force and choke holds); bias-free policing; de-escalation; and recruiting. As of 2024, 90% of law enforcement agencies across the state are certified, including the Dayton Police Department, with 96% of Montgomery County’s population patrolled by law enforcement agencies with some form of Ohio Collaborative Certification.[98] The Ohio Collaborative has now implemented a state accreditation process, and the Dayton Police Department is now an accredited agency. While certification and accreditation establish important standards, their impact on trust depends mainly on whether residents experience these policies as meaningful changes in everyday interactions with law enforcement.

> Independent Accountability Auditor – The City contracted with a law firm to serve as an Independent Accountability Auditor (IAA). The IAA has the authority to audit, inspect, and participate in the police administrative investigation process for citizen complaints, use of deadly force, and other related items. > Mediation Response Unit - One primary recommendation was an alternative solution for responding to lower-level service calls related to non-violent conflicts or juvenile calls routinely routed to police. The Dayton Mediation Response Unit (MRU) was formed to satisfy this recommendation. The MRU has seven mediation specialists who respond to neighbor conflicts; roommate disputes; barking dogs; noise complaints; loitering; unruly juvenile complaints; welfare checks; and other nonviolent calls where people are in conflict or crisis in the field.[100] > De-escalation Training – The Dayton Police Department was required to implement de-escalation training. Beginning in late 2021, the department provided evidence-based de-escalation training from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) – Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT). The training, including scenarios, was conducted to educate officers on how to slow incidents to reduce their escalation into use-of-force or deadly-force situations when time allows.[101] The training is ongoing, and each recruit class receives this training.

These reforms represent significant structural shifts; however, their long-term success is ultimately still being measured by whether Black residents feel heard, are treated fairly, and are confident that accountability mechanisms function as intended. To better understand how these dynamics are experienced locally, the 2024 Dayton Resident Satisfaction Survey offers valuable insight into public perceptions of police services and justice-related concerns within the city.

In response to the death of George Floyd and after a day of civil unrest on May 30, 2020, the Dayton City Commission in June 2020 announced a police reform initiative to make recommendations on reforming policing in Dayton. Five working groups were formed: Oversight, Use of Force, Training, Recruitment and Retention, and Engagement.[99] The mayor, each city commissioner, and other community leaders cochaired each group. In early 2021, 125 community members participated in 76 working group meetings and 32 listening sessions, resulting in 142 recommendations. Nearly 97% of the recommendations have been implemented.

Despite this high level of implementation, community perceptions indicate that formal policy change does not automatically translate into improved trust, underscoring the difference between institutional progress and lived experience.

Among the notable recommendations implemented: > Community Appeals Board - The revamping and strengthening of the Community Appeals Board (CAB) process has allowed more community members to have a voice in the outcome of a complaint against a police officer that did not result in corrective or disciplinary action. The CAB process allows board members to hear from the community and the police department and to recommend policy and procedure changes to the City Commission.

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The City of Dayton completes the community survey every year and mails it to more than 13,000 residents.[102] The 2024 Dayton Resident Satisfaction Survey reveals mixed perceptions of the Dayton Police Department (DPD), with only 46% of residents agreeing that police are responsive to their neighborhood’s needs.

Satisfaction is notably lower among residents under age 65, those with incomes below $25,000, and individuals in northern communities.

In contrast, over half of the residents reported being satisfied with police services.

Improvements in response time satisfaction were noted in Downtown and West Dayton, but citywide perceptions remain lower, particularly in East and North Dayton. Many respondents expressed concerns about fairness in policing and called for greater accountability, especially from Black and low-income communities.

Public safety concerns remain high, with crime, gun violence, drug activity, and blight ranking as the most pressing justice-related issues. Residents also stressed the importance of youth engagement and early intervention strategies to reduce juvenile crime. These findings highlight a critical need for police departments to enhance efforts to reach the Black community, improve neighborhood-specific responsiveness, increase transparency, and build stronger relationships with underserved communities.

Regarding safety, the community survey showed about a 4% decrease from 2023 (47.4% vs. 51.5%) in feeling safe in their neighborhoods. Black and White residents

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reported similar levels of feeling safe. However, the very safe and safe categories decrease with income, with community members earning less than $10,000 feeling less safe.

The Dayton Police Department strives to build stronger relationships by regularly attending neighborhood meetings to discuss crime trends and other community concerns, and by working collaboratively to address crime.

Court’s Task Force on Bail Reform, encouraged counties to reconsider the role of money in determining liberty. In Montgomery County, judges, prosecutors, and community leaders began working together to make the system fairer and more consistent. Their collaboration led to the adoption of risk-based evaluations and revised bond practices—reforms that have helped reduce pretrial incarceration among African American residents in Montgomery County.

One way the Dayton Police Department is looking to improve trust with the youth is by having a Dayton police officer teach criminal justice classes at the Ponitz Career Technology Center. This program has been in place since 2018 and is being done in partnership with Dayton Public Schools. In this role, the officer builds trust and develops relationships with high school students. This serves as a recruiting opportunity to expose young people to the possibility of becoming an officer. It also allows them to assist a student who may not feel safe at home or who is dealing with a personal conflict.

Prioritizing Equity in Court Practices Across Montgomery County, significant strides have been made to foster a more equitable system of justice. The following developments highlight the local progress that is helping reshape outcomes for African American residents.

PRETRIAL INCARCERATION Pretrial incarceration of African American residents in Montgomery County Courts has decreased by 28 percent since 2018. According to data compiled by the Montgomery County Criminal Justice Council, which helps set goals and priorities for the county’s criminal justice system, and the Montgomery County Office of Reentry, this progress is largely the result of updated bond schedules, revised court practices, and the introduction of risk-based release evaluations that focus on a person’s likelihood of appearing in court and the safety of the community.

While imperfect, the current system marks a significant improvement over its predecessor. Before these reforms, pretrial incarceration in Montgomery County looked very different and was, in many ways, far less fair to the accused. The courts primarily relied on traditional cash bail schedules that tied a person’s freedom to their finances rather than to their circumstances or risk to the community. Those with means could pay and go home. Those without, often African American residents, were left to sit in jail for weeks or even months simply because they could not afford to post bond. Many of these individuals were charged with low-level or nonviolent offenses, yet the consequences of detention were anything but minor. Detention disrupted employment, housing, and families, creating lasting effects that rippled through the community.

Before reforms took hold, the absence of consistent risk assessments or standardized pretrial tools meant that release and detention decisions often depended on what judge heard the case. This lack of uniformity allowed racial and economic disparities to persist. In practice, two people charged with the same offense could face very different outcomes—one returning home to prepare a defense, the other waiting behind bars. By 2017, it had become clear that change was necessary. Statewide discussions, guided by the Ohio Supreme

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MENTAL HEALTH DOCKET The Dayton Municipal Court’s Regional Mental Health Court Docket, also known as Access II, began in 2003 to serve individuals with serious mental illness who were repeatedly entering the criminal justice system for low-level, nonviolent misdemeanor offenses. The program connects participants to treatment and community resources instead of incarceration, acknowledging that many live with overlapping challenges related to poverty, homelessness, and substance use.

Access II combines judicial supervision with community-based behavioral health services to promote recovery, reduce recidivism, and enhance public safety.

Participants follow individualized treatment plans that may include mental health and substance use services, case management, housing support, and counseling. Probation supervision generally lasts two years, and upon successful completion, the participant’s plea of guilty is vacated.

The program uses a collaborative team approach that includes the Dayton Municipal Court Probation Department; the City Prosecutor’s Office; the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office; the Montgomery County Jail; Eastway Behavioral Healthcare; Samaritan Behavioral Health; South Community, Inc.; and the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board, which provides major funding alongside the City of Dayton.

In 2008, the program expanded countywide to accept referrals from all

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municipal courts in Montgomery County. It became a Supreme Court of Ohio– certified Specialized Docket in 2015 and was last recertified in December 2025.

Certification is now valid through December 31, 2028. As of 2024, Access II has received more than 1,400 referrals, accepted approximately 900 participants, and recorded nearly 300 successful completions. The docket currently averages 25 to 30 active participants at any given time.

These efforts reflect the Dayton Municipal Court’s continuing commitment to shift from punitive responses toward restorative and rehabilitative justice, emphasizing treatment, stability, and community well-being over incarceration.

Improving Legal Representation and Legal Access Access to competent legal representation is essential to a fair justice system. Data from the Dayton Bar Association and Legal Aid of Western Ohio reveal encouraging trends. > African American Legal Professionals: As of 2023, 17 percent of newly licensed attorneys in Dayton identified as African American, a notable increase over the past decade that is helping to diversify the legal landscape and ensure more equitable representation in courtrooms. > Legal Aid Support: In 2024, approximately 60 percent of Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO) and Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) Dayton-area clients identified as African American, with a significant concentration residing in the Roosevelt, Residence Park, and Pineview neighborhoods. This highlights the continued need for legal services in under-resourced communities. > Access Improvements: In response to accessibility challenges, the Dayton Municipal Court introduced measures such as virtual hearings, mobile legal clinics, and electronic filing through the Clerk’s Office. These efforts aim to reach residents in neighborhoods traditionally underserved by the legal system.

Ensuring equitable access to legal representation is not just about protecting individual rights—it is about affirming the dignity and humanity of entire communities.

Community-Centered Legal Services Several community organizations are bridging gaps in legal support, particularly by addressing minor offenses that often carry long-term consequences. > Miami Valley Urban League Urban Expungement Program: Through the National Urban League’s partnership with the NFL, the Miami Valley Urban League provides record-sealing assistance to eligible residents, helping remove legal barriers that often prevent individuals with past convictions from securing employment, housing, and other opportunities necessary for long-term stability and successful reentry. > Justice in the Neighborhood Events: In 2024, Omega CDC, in partnership with the Dayton Municipal Court Clerk’s Office and Sinclair Community College, hosted five community events that reached more than 1,200 African American residents. These events provided services such as expungement support, traffic amnesty, eviction record sealing, and civil legal guidance—addressing everyday

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legal issues that can prevent residents from accessing employment or housing. > Community Legal Resource Hub: The newly established Community Legal Resource Hub in the Wright-Dunbar District offers weekly drop-in legal support staffed by local attorneys and volunteers. This initiative helps build trust between the legal system and Dayton residents while easing burdens on local courts. These initiatives demonstrate Dayton’s growing commitment to confronting barriers and creating opportunities for transformation.

Blacks Still Disproportionately Represented in Incarceration According to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, as reported by the Pew Research Center, although imprisonment rates for African Americans have declined in recent years, they remain significantly higher than those of Hispanic and white Americans. At the close of 2018, the imprisonment rate for African Americans stood at 797 per 100,000, nearly double that of Hispanics and more than five times higher than that of whites.

African American men remain disproportionately represented in the nation’s prisons, a disparity magnified by the intersection of race and gender. This convergence increases their exposure to bias at every stage of the justice process, leading to greater scrutiny, harsher sentencing, and fewer opportunities for rehabilitation. In 2018, about 2,272 African American men per 100,000 were incarcerated, more than twice the rate for Hispanic men (1,018 per 100,000) and nearly six times the rate for white men (392 per 100,000). The gap is even wider among certain age groups, such as African American men aged 35 to 39, where roughly one in twenty were in prison, equivalent to 5,008 per 100,000.

The racial makeup of incarcerated people continues to diverge from national demographics. In 2018, African Americans made up 33 percent of incarcerated people but only 12 percent of adults. Whites accounted for 30 percent of inmates, about half their 63 percent share of adults, while Hispanics represented 23 percent of inmates compared with 16 percent of adults. Between 2006 and 2018, the number of incarcerated African Americans declined by 21 percent, from 590,300 to 465,200. During the same period, the white inmate population decreased by 15 percent, from 507,100 to 430,500, while the Hispanic inmate population increased by 5 percent, from 313,600 to 330,200. Despite this slight rise, the overall Hispanic incarceration rate fell due to faster population growth during that time.

The inequities that shape incarceration are mirrored in the use of the death penalty across the United States, and Ohio reflects those same troubling patterns.

In Ohio, African Americans make up about 13 percent of the population but nearly 40 percent of those executed. Equally troubling, roughly three out of four victims in Ohio death penalty cases have been white. This reflects a lasting imbalance in whose lives the system regards as most deserving of retribution. The death penalty has long been imposed more often on African Americans, and that disparity continues today.

According to the National Registry of Exonerations, 1,471 Black people have been exonerated since 1989, representing nearly half of all known exonerations in the United States. Together, they have lost more than 15,000 years of freedom.

These numbers show that racial discrimination can shape a wrongful conviction

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long before a case reaches the courtroom. From traffic stops to charging decisions, national studies consistently find that African Americans, Latinx individuals, and other communities of color are more likely to be stopped, searched, or suspected of a crime even when no crime has occurred.

Although much of the public outcry over these injustices has taken place on a national stage, their impact has been deeply felt within the Dayton region, where conversations about fairness, accountability, and reform continue to guide local justice efforts.

Montgomery County Jail Operations A community group, the Montgomery County Jail Coalition, has raised concerns about the operation of the Montgomery County Jail after a number of inmates have died while in custody. Since January 2023, the sheriff’s office has reported at least 12 deaths among people in custody.[103] Montgomery County paid a $7 million settlement over the March 2025 death of Christian Black, an inmate whose death was ruled a homicide. The Coalition, which consists of organizations, activists, and individuals, has stated that the jail is consistently operating at near capacity and has asked that a Civilian Oversight Group be established. A November 2024 inspection report from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction confirmed that the Jail has operated over the Bureau’s recommended capacity.

Not only has the jail experienced overcrowding, an increasing number of inmates have drug and behavioral health needs. A new behavioral health and medical wing is being built at the Montgomery County Jail to address the burgeoning need for inmate behavioral health care. The project will convert 226 general population beds into a behavioral health wing, expanding medical beds from 12 to 112.

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IN CONCLUSION The legal landscape for African Americans in Montgomery County is changing, both intentionally and collaboratively. Recent data show measurable progress, including reduced pretrial incarceration, the expansion of restorative justice programs, and broader legal access for historically underserved neighborhoods. Key community partners include the Dayton Municipal Court Clerk’s Office; the Human Relations Council; the Dayton Mediation Center; and the Dayton Metro Library. With continued focus on these reforms, Black residents, who have long shouldered many of the heaviest burdens, are now seeing meaningful strides toward justice, fairness, and equal access to the legal process. Dayton’s ongoing pursuit of equity within its courts reflects a deeper truth: when justice becomes more inclusive, the entire community moves closer to its fullest promise.

However, more needs to be done to make policing and jail conditions better for all. Black residents continue to experience higher rates of violent crime victimization and express lower levels of trust in law enforcement’s responsiveness and fairness. To create lasting change, efforts must remain focused on sustained community collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to fairness to ensure safety for all communities. The work done over the last several years must be viewed not as endpoints, but as critical foundations for long-term transformation toward justice, safety, and trust in every neighborhood.

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The State of

Black Dayton

Resilience and Renewal: Charting the Future for Black Dayton

AFTERWORD The story of Black Dayton is not solely one of disparity — it is one of determination, ingenuity, and enduring strength.

Throughout this report, we have examined six interconnected topics that shape the lived experiences and future trajectories of Black residents in the Dayton region: education, digital access, criminal justice, economic empowerment, housing, and health and wellness. Each section tells a story rooted in data, but more importantly, in people.

Resilience has long defined Black Dayton. From neighborhoods built through collective effort to businesses sustained through generations, from faith communities to grassroots organizers, Black Dayton has consistently transformed challenge into progress. Yet resilience alone cannot be the endpoint. Renewal requires intentional systems change, equitable investment, and sustained collaboration.

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Education remains both a promise and a battleground for equity. Ensuring that Black students have access to well-funded schools, culturally responsive curriculum, and pathways to higher education and skilled careers is foundational to long-term prosperity.

Digital access is no longer optional — it is infrastructure. In a world where opportunity increasingly depends on connectivity, closing the digital divide is essential to educational success, workforce participation, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship.

Criminal justice reform calls us to reimagine safety and accountability through fairness, transparency, and community partnership. Equity in policing, sentencing, and reentry support is critical to strengthening families and neighborhoods.

Economic empowerment is the engine of generational wealth. Supporting Blackowned businesses, expanding access to capital, increasing workforce development opportunities, and removing systemic barriers can transform economic landscapes.

Housing is more than shelter — it is stability, dignity, and wealth-building. Safe, affordable housing in thriving neighborhoods strengthens educational outcomes, economic mobility, and health.

Health and Wellness reflect the cumulative impact of every other system.

Addressing disparities in healthcare access, environmental conditions, food security, and mental health support requires holistic solutions that center prevention and community trust.

These topics are interconnected. Progress in one area accelerates progress in others.

Investment in education strengthens economic outcomes. Digital access improves health access. Fair housing policies reduce health disparities. Criminal justice reform stabilizes families and strengthens community wealth. None of these systems operate in isolation — and neither should our solutions.

This report is not merely an assessment. It is a call to action.

Renewal demands shared accountability among public institutions, private industry, philanthropy, faith leaders, educators, healthcare providers, entrepreneurs, and residents themselves. It requires centering community voice in decision-making processes and measuring progress transparently. It asks us to move beyond performative commitments toward measurable outcomes.

The future of Black Dayton will not be determined by circumstance, but by collective choice.

If resilience tells the story of how Black Dayton has survived, renewal tells the story of how Black Dayton will thrive. The path forward requires courage, collaboration, and clarity of vision. The data provides direction. The community provides strength.

The opportunity for transformation is before us.

Let this report serve as both mirror and map — reflecting where we stand and illuminating where we must go next.

The work continues.

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OUR CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Aaliyah Baker is a community-engaged scholar and former K-12 teacher. She is currently a faculty member in the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Dayton, School of Education and Health Sciences. Dr. Baker earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Multicultural Education and the Analysis of Educational Policy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Aaliyah’s work has been published in publiclyengaged outlets, international conferences, edited books and peer-reviewed journals. She serves as a faculty coordinator for the Moral Courage Project through the University of Dayton’s Human Rights Center and dissertation advisor to a diverse group of doctoral students.

Dr. Debra A. Brathwaite is a distinguished career educator and transformational leader with a record of success as a school and district administrator in urban, suburban, and rural settings. A native New Yorker, she began her career in the New York City Public Schools, serving as a teacher, principal, and Deputy Superintendent.

Debra went on to hold senior leadership roles in multiple districts, including Associate Superintendent in the Cleveland Municipal School District and Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer for Dayton Public Schools, where she helped move the district out of academic emergency. She later served as Deputy Superintendent in Columbia, South Carolina.

Now based in Dayton, she serves on several boards and is a Del Mar Encore Fellow with The Dayton Foundation, currently assigned to the Miami Valley Urban League as Project Manager for the State of Black Dayton 2026 report.

Debra holds a B.A. and M.S. in Education, a professional diploma in Administration and Supervision, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton.

Edwina Blackwell Clark is an award-winning editor, strategic communicator, and public relations strategist with deep expertise across print and digital media, audience strategy, and organizational leadership. She has held senior roles including Executive Editor, Newspaper Publisher, SVP for Audience, and Director of PR and Marketing, leading high-performing teams and producing impactful, community-centered journalism.

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After a distinguished career with Cox Media in the Miami Valley, she made history as Executive Editor of The Columbus Dispatch, becoming the first African American and the first woman to lead the newspaper in its 150-year history. Edwina has also applied her communications expertise in higher education and the nonprofit sector.

She is a graduate of Ohio University, holds an MBA from the University of Dayton, and serves on the International Communications Committee of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Debi Chess, AICP, is the Director of External Relations and Development for the Dayton Metro Library.

She grew up in Fairborn and recently returned to the Dayton area after spending 32 years living and working in major art and cultural centers, including Chicago, Tucson, and San Francisco.

Her professional experience includes serving as a Community Impact Fellow at the Dunbar Pavilion and African American Arts and Culture Center in Tucson, as well as, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.

Debi’s educational background is in social work and urban planning policy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Wright State University and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Jason Daniels is the President & CEO and principal consultant of JAYRAMON LLC, a leadership and strategy firm he leads with his wife and business partner, Kelli Daniels. JAYRAMON partners with nonprofit organizations, foundations, public entities, and corporations to accelerate change and strengthen community impact.

Jason served as the lead facilitator for the State of Black Dayton community conversations, leveraging expertise in workplace and community listening strategy. He is a graduate of the University of Toledo and brings deep experience bridging community insight with organizational performance.

Dr. Kimberley Freeman has over 20 years of public health experience having served in non-profits, local government, and managed care. She is currently the Director of Health Promotion at Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County. As a public health professional, her career has been dedicated to health promotion and disease prevention. She specifically has focused on chronic disease prevention, maternal and child health, addressing health disparities, and promoting health equity.

Kimberley’s job experience has afforded her a well-rounded skill set including grant writing; managing, developing, implementing, and evaluating health education

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programs; leading diverse teams; and building community partnerships.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University, her Master of Public Health degree from George Washington University, and her Doctor of Public Health Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Lamonte Hall Jr. is a dynamic public servant and visionary leader currently serving as the Executive Director of the Human Relations Council for the City of Dayton. Over the past 14 years, Lamonte has advanced through a range of leadership roles within the organization. Lamonte has led several major initiatives that have significantly impacted the Dayton community, including the Fairview Spray Park expansion, the West Branch Express Shuttle program, and the Soar to Savings Financial Education program.

Lamonte plays a central role in managing the $7 million Supporting Black and Brown Business initiative as part of the Dayton Recovery Plan. He is a two-time recipient of the Cline Award, the City of Dayton’s highest honor for exemplary employees. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton Emerging Leaders Program, Leadership Dayton, and the Harvard Kennedy School’s Strategic Leadership for Non-Profit Leaders Program. He holds a B.A. in Communications from Central State University and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governor’s University.

Eric Henderson is the Chief of the Dayton Police Department. A lifelong Dayton resident, he grew up in the Fairview neighborhood and graduated from Dayton Public Schools. Since joining the department in 1999, he has served in various operational and leadership roles, including patrol officer, field training officer, and narcotics investigator. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2008, Lieutenant in 2011, Major in 2016, Assistant Chief in 2019, Deputy Chief in 2022 and appointed Chief in 2026.

Deputy Chief Henderson holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Park University and is a graduate of several executive training programs, including Leadership of Dayton, the FBI National Academy, the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police, and the Ohio Public Safety Leadership Academy. He is an active member of professional organizations, including the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police.

Henderson remains committed to public service and advancing the department’s mission through strong leadership, innovation, and community collaboration.

Jelani Johnson is the Director of the Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) at the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a dedicated business development professional with a passion for empowering small businesses to scale and thrive.

With a strong educational foundation from The Ohio State University and years of hands-on experience as a business owner, Jelani specializes in providing strategic guidance to entrepreneurs seeking sustainable growth.

Through one-on-one counseling, training, and financial readiness services, Jelani helps small business owners navigate critical areas such as accessing capital, securing contracts, and leveraging bonding programs. His work with business owners has helped them establish a solid foundation and scale effectively in competitive markets.

Maleka J. James, MPH, CD, is a maternal and child health advocate and public health professional committed to advancing equity and improving outcomes for families. She serves as the Infant Mortality Initiatives Manager at Dayton Children’s Hospital, leading cross-sector efforts to reduce infant mortality and strengthen maternal health. A certified birth and postpartum doula, Maleka provides culturally responsive, community-centered support throughout the perinatal journey.

She serves on several local and statewide boards and advisory groups, including Community of Hope at Omega Community Development Corporation. Maleka holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Kentucky State University and a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Global Health from Wright State University. As a wife and mother of three, she brings both lived and professional experience to the systems-change work she leads.

Helen Jones-Kelley, JD earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law and her B.S.Ed. from Miami University in Oxford. She brings more than 40 years of leadership experience across the public and private sectors and recently retired as Executive Director of Montgomery County’s Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board.

Throughout her career, Jones-Kelley has held numerous senior roles, including positions with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services at both the county and state levels, Special Assistant to the President of Central State University, and Faculty Consultant for Georgetown University’s Center on Juvenile Justice Reform. She currently serves on several boards, including the Ohio Federation for Health Equity and Social Justice.

Her many honors include Top Ten Women and Ten Top African American Women in Dayton, YWCA Woman of Influence, and four-time Women Who Mean Business

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honoree by the Dayton Business Journal. She is also recognized as a Miami Valley Urban League “Pillar” and an NCCJ Humanitarian.

Fabrice Juin is the Regional Equity Initiative Manager for the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC). His role is to launch programs and transform systems that create a community where all people can thrive. He also serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Dayton.

At MVRPC Fabrice fosters collaborative relationships with leaders and advocates from key institutions and leads social change initiatives through research, data analytics, community engagement processes and strategic planning.

Fabrice earned a Bachelor’s degree from New York University and a Masters of Public Health from Wright State University, Boonshoft School of Medicine.

Dr. David Lawrence has served as the Superintendent of Schools at Dayton Public Schools since 2024. He was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and attended Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Dr. Lawrence has three decades of experience in public education, having served in many roles in both suburban and urban districts throughout his career. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Cincinnati, along with two Master’s Degrees and a Ph.D. from Antioch University Graduate School of Leadership & Change.

Dr. Lawrence started his career as a teacher and also served as Assistant Principal at Stivers School for the Arts, and Principal at Thurgood Marshall STEM High School.

He also served as Principal of Northmont Elementary in the Northmont City School District.

Dr. Lawrence has a history of transformational leadership. Throughout his career, he has increased academic achievement and has a proven track record as a committed Urban Educator.

Alexis Larsen, CFRE, serves as Chief of Philanthropy for Five Rivers MetroParks, leading the fundraising initiatives for the agency and as a liason to the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation, the James M. Cox, Jr. Arboretum Foundation, and the Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation that support the parks. Under Alexis’ leadership there has been a significant increase in capital projects funded at the parks and an increase in donations, philanthropic efforts and engagements for the agency.

A graduate of Wright State University, Boston University, and Leadership Dayton, she brings a strong background in marketing, design, and communications to her

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philanthropic leadership and work. She is an award-winning communicator and graphic designer, Larsen has been named Best Graphic Designer in Ohio by both the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists and was named the Communicator of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America.

She is also a longtime food critic, having covered Dayton’s dining scene for nearly two decades for the Dayton Daily News, and more recently as the Dayton Dish dining critic for the Dayton Business Journal. She currently serves on several boards including the YMCA of Greater Dayton and the National Association of Parks Foundations.

Dr. Tennille Love is the Manager of Scholars & Equity Programs at Preschool Promise, leading efforts to support both current and aspiring early childhood educators and promote equity within education.

An experienced educator and consultant, she helps families navigate postsecondary pathways and has presented widely on education and career topics.

Tennille serves on the board of the Dayton International Peace Museum, co-facilitates Parity, Inc.’s Black Leadership Development Program, and directs the Dayton Chapter of NBMBAA’s Leaders of Tomorrow. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and Doctorate from Liberty University.

Latoria G. Marcellus is a distinguished education leader, advocate, and coach. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Education Strategy at Preschool Promise, where she leads initiatives to implement comprehensive curricula that foster social-emotional development and strong teacher-student relationships in early childhood programs .

As founder of Ahali Academy, a nonprofit organization, she is dedicated to uplifting children and families through a two-generation approach. She has also worked with Learn to Earn Dayton, as an equity coach, assisting school districts in Montgomery County in developing data-driven, transformational implementation plans. Latonia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University and a Master’s in Education from Antioch University McGregor.

Brian O. Martin, AICP, serves as Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission’s (MVRPC) Executive Director.

Brian brings a wealth of knowledge to the agency, especially in the field of transportation. His previous work has included economic and environmental planning, and public involvement. He has completed 20 plans over his career for large regions, cities, and villages. Brian’s ability to work with numerous communities prepared him for his position with MVRPC.

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A Kentucky native, Brian is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with both a B. S. degree in Production/Operations Management and a M.S. degree in City and Regional Planning. Brian’s consulting/project management experience, in both the public and private sector, serves him well as he leads MVRPC into the future.

Brandon C. McClain currently serves as a Magistrate and Acting Judge in the Dayton Municipal Court. A former two-term county official, elected in 2018 and 2020, McClain combines a robust legal perspective with a proven commitment to civic leadership.

Magistrate McClain holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from UNC-Pembroke, a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law. He is also a veteran of the Army National Guard, having been honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.

A dedicated community servant, McClain serves on several nonprofit boards focused on advancing equity and opportunity for others. He is a member of the Ohio Bar Association, the Dayton Bar Association, the Ohio Magistrates Association, and the Ohio Black Judges Association.

Gina McFarlane-El is the founder and CEO of Five Rivers Health Centers. That serves Montgomery and Greene Counties. Funded as a Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) it has grown from three to eight sites including two school based locations. Since starting Five Rivers Health Centers has expanded from only providing primary care, including OB/GYN services, to adding dental, psychiatry, vision, podiatry and 20 other services for patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

Gina has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Public Health from Columbia University in New York and a Bachelor of Arts from Fisk University in Nashville. She is the recipient of numerous awards.

Marvene Mitchell Cook is the Director of Montgomery County Workforce Development. In her role she was instrumental in the creation of both the Workforce Mobile Unit and the Westown Employment Opportunity Center to assist the Memorial Day Tornado Relief efforts.

Activism and community service are the cornerstones of Marvene’s “meet them where they are” philosophy. She works closely with the county’s Ready 4 Work providers to provide valuable workforce resources directly to communities.

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Marvene serves the community, along with her team, with a professional demeanor and kind and caring heart to work with the business community that was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to provide access to grant funding across 20 or more jurisdictions within Montgomery County.

Nikol Miller is an accomplished nonprofit executive and community strategist with more than 20 years of experience advancing equity, economic mobility, and civic leadership across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Since 2021, she has served as Executive Director of the Miami Valley Urban League, a division of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, where she leads dayto-day operations, program development, staff management, and fundraising for initiatives focused on workforce development, entrepreneurship, financial empowerment, and community leadership.

Under Nikol’s leadership, the Dayton affiliate has strengthened its financial position, expanded partnerships, and deepened its impact in advancing economic inclusion for African Americans and underserved communities throughout the Miami Valley region.

Nikol has held key roles in local government and regional institutions, including as Community Relations Manager for the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority and as Chief of Staff to a Chicago City Council member. As an engaged civic leader, Nikol serves on several boards in the community and is also a Leadership Ohio Fellow, and a graduate of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Empower Program.

Lucious Plant is the retired Regional Director of Talent Acquisition for the Dayton Development Coalition, where he founded and led JobsOhio’s Talent Acquisition Program in the Dayton region. He currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Employers’ Workforce Coalition.

In his leadership role, Lucious evaluated economic development projects and talent acquisition incentives and developed coordinated talent strategies for companies expanding or relocating to the Dayton region.

A recipient of the 2022 Miami Valley Urban League Pillar Award and the 2023 Maureen Patterson Regional Leader Award, Lucious has collaborated extensively with regional leaders to advance workforce strategies that strengthen the Dayton region’s economic well-being. He has also served as a panelist and presenter at regional, state, and national workforce conferences.

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Stacy Wall Schweikhart serves as CEO for Learn to Earn Dayton. Stacy oversees a talented team, works in coordination with committed community partners and collaborates with a dedicated Board of Directors to implement the strategic vision for the organization.

ADVISORY BOARD

A Dayton native, Stacy brings more than two decades of public sector leadership and a deep network of partners and resources to the CEO role. She joined Learn to Earn Dayton in 2022, having previously served as Director of Strategy & Engagement for Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission and in a variety of leadership roles with the City of Kettering, Ohio.

Stacy earned her bachelor’s and master’s of public administration degrees from the University of Dayton and is an AICP certified professional planner.

Debbie Watts Robinson is the CEO of Miami Valley Housing Opportunities (MVHO) a nonprofit organization where she develops and manages housing for formerly homeless individuals and families, disabled and vulnerable citizens, young people exiting foster care, veterans and the medically fragile. She works tirelessly to help MVHO manage 43 buildings which consist of 500 units of housing throughout Montgomery County.

Debbie loves the fact that MVHO makes a difference in people’s lives. She believes that everyone should have a place to call “home.” Recently recognized as one of 2025 Dayton’s Most Influential

by Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati, Debbie has received many honors. Debbie received her undergrad degree, B.S.E.E. from the University of Cincinnati and received her law degree. J.D., from The Ohio State University.

John Zimmerman serves as Vice President at the Miami Valley Fair Housing Center in Dayton, Ohio. He conducts fair housing workshops for consumers, targeted outreach to vulnerable populations in low-to moderate income neighborhoods and works with municipal staff, planning departments, social service & charitable organizations whose work intersects with housing.

Ivy B. Glover, Chair Wright-Patt Credit Union

Jose Toledo Central State University

Erica Fields Learn to Earn Dayton

Jessica Turner Stratacache

Sarah Hackenbracht Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association

Jamaica White OH Taste Foundation

Katie Joseph Winsupply Scott Murphy Leidos Innovations Center

Jay Williams Chase Bank Marya Rutherford-Long, Immediate Past Chair

K. Duane Martin Premier Health Chris Nalls Nalls & Davis Law Firm

John has been an instructor for continuing education Fair Housing classes for Realtors, Housing Providers, and other professionals whose work intersect with housing for 25 years. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. He is a member of the Greater Dayton Realtist and the Co-Chair of the Housing Subcommittee for the Montgomery County Reentry Council.

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ENDNOTES [1]

Data USA. “Dayton, OH.” Accessed March 2026. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/dayton-oh/

[2]

Southern Education Foundation. Race and Early Childhood Education Equity.

Atlanta: Southern Education Foundation, 2024.

[3]

Deborah A. Phillips et al. Puzzling It Out: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge on Pre-Kindergarten Effects. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution and Duke University, 2017.

[4]

Preschool Promise. 2023–2024 Annual Report. Dayton, OH: Preschool Promise, 2024.

[5]

Pew Research Center. “Key Facts About Public School Teachers in the U.S.” September 24, 2024. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/09/24/key-factsabout-public-school-teachers-in-the-u-s/

[6]

Preschool Promise. 2023–2024 Annual Report.

[7]

Preschool Promise. 2023–2024 Annual Report.

[8]

Preschool Promise. 2023–2024 Annual Report.

[9]

Dayton Daily News staff. “Enrollment at Most Local School Districts Dropping: Where Did the Students Go?” Dayton Daily News, 2025.

[10]

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Miami Valley Urban League gratefully acknowledges the generous support from the Edward L. and Esther B. Kohnle Fund of The Dayton Foundation, HealthPath, and Kettering Health whose investment made the development of this report possible. Their commitment to advancing equitable outcomes and strengthening communities across the Dayton region reflects a shared dedication to data-informed solutions and sustained community impact.

We extend our deepest appreciation to Debra Brathwaite, Del Mar Encore Fellow and Project Manager for this report, whose leadership, coordination, and strategic oversight were instrumental in guiding this work from concept to completion. Her commitment to excellence ensured the integrity, rigor, and timely execution of this report.

We also recognize Jason Daniels and Kellye Daniels of JAYRAMON Consultants for their facilitation of the focus group sessions. Their ability to engage community voices and elevate lived experiences was critical in shaping the insights and perspectives reflected throughout this report.

We are grateful to Edwina Blackwell Clark, Content Editor, for her thoughtful editorial leadership and for ensuring the report’s narrative is clear, cohesive, and reflective of both the data and the community’s voice.

The Miami Valley Urban League also recognizes the many community stakeholders, partners, and residents whose voices, perspectives, and lived experiences are reflected throughout this work. Their contributions are essential to advancing a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the region and to informing strategies that promote equity and long-term community well-being.

Finally, the Miami Valley Urban League acknowledges its dedicated staff, whose talent, professionalism, and unwavering commitment make this work possible each day.

From delivering programs and services to supporting individuals and families across the region, their efforts are foundational to advancing the organization’s mission. Their expertise, compassion, and steadfast dedication to the community sustain the day-today operations of the Miami The Miami Valley Urban League staff front row from left to Valley Urban League and help right: Amanda Green (Career & Life Skills Coach), Nikol M. Miller (Executive Director), Cherry Mansell (Program Coordinator). Back transform the vision of the row: Tim McKinney (Trainer), Tiara Wright (Program Manager). organization into meaningful impact. The Miami Valley Urban League is deeply grateful for their service and the countless ways they contribute to building a stronger, more equitable community.

We further acknowledge Alexis Larsen for her expertise in data interpretation, visual storytelling, and publication design, transforming complex information into clear, impactful graphics while designing the report to create an accessible and engaging reader experience.

Special thanks to the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission for providing access to data and regional insights that informed the analysis and findings presented in this report.

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31 S. Main St., Suite 211, Dayton, OH 45402 (937) 226-1513 | https://mvul.org/en-us

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