National Equity Atlas: April Update
Dear Equity Atlas users,
Since we launched the Atlas in October 2014, we have wanted to include data that better describes the incredible diversity within broad racial/ethnic groups and challenges the “model minority” myth that impedes action and progress toward racial equity and inclusive growth.
We are excited to be taking a first step toward that goal by adding two new breakdowns to our “Detailed race/ethnicity” indicator. Now, when you go to that indicator, you can select “By ancestry” and see more detailed breakdowns of the Asian, Black, Latino, Native American, and White populations (e.g. Filipino, Jamaican, Puerto Rican). You can also select “By nativity and ancestry” to get a breakdown of the share of each group who are immigrants versus U.S.-born.
The below screenshots show the type of data that is now available. Note that we share data for any given group if there are at least 100 survey respondents. To provide some more detailed data for smaller areas, we also created broader geographic categories (e.g. South Asian, Southeast Asian, East Asian, Pacific Islander) that combine a number of ancestries. For a large, diverse region like Los Angeles, you will get data for many ancestry categories, while for a smaller, less diverse region like Charleston, you will see fewer of the detailed ancestry categories.
We hope you enjoy digging into the data! Here is a blog post highlighting some takeaways from the new data. In a few weeks (on May 23), we will be adding these more detailed racial/ethnic breakdowns to several of our economic opportunity indicators, including:
· Unemployment
· Wages: Median
· Wages: $15/hour
· Disconnected Youth
· Educational Levels
· Homeownership
Also, please let us know if you would like to receive more information about how to participate in the data release (including a social media toolkit and other support for writing op-eds, blog posts, etc.). Email Abigail Langston at abigail@policylink.org to sign up.
Thank you!
The National Equity Atlas team at PolicyLink and the USC Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE)
May 2016
An Equitable Food System: Good for Families, Communities, and the Economy
Overview
This issue brief describes the benefits of building an equitable food system for families, communities, and the economy.
Find other equity briefs here.
May 2016
Just and Fair Employment for All: Good for Families, Communities, and the Economy
Overview
This issue brief describes how connecting people to just and fair work benefits families, communities, and the economy.
Find other equity briefs here.
May 2016
High-Quality Education for All: Good for Families, Communities, and the Economy
Overview
This issue brief describes how creating an equitable pre-K through 12 educational system can benefit families, communities, and the economy.
Find other equity briefs here.
May 2016
Criminal Justice Reform: Good for Families, Communities, and the Economy
Overview
This issue brief describes how transforming the nation’s criminal justice system into one that distributes justice fairly and promotes rehabilitation would benefit families, communities, and the economy.
Find other equity briefs here.
Leveraging Policy Advocacy to Keep Students Healthy
Overview
The capacity to leverage policy advocacy and systems change is critical to scaling up and sustaining efforts to ensure that youth living in Promise Neighborhoods are healthy and connected to the necessary services and supports to prepare them for college and career success. During this webinar, Rosa Ramirez Richter (Healthy Schools Campaign) discussed best practices to achieve healthy nutrition and active living through policy advocacy and will highlight successful efforts in Chicago to build a parent-driven coalition that successfully reforms food and wellness policies at the district-level. Mk Nguyen (St. Paul Promise Neighborhood) and Patrick Ness (Amherst H. Wilder Foundation) shared St. Paul Promise Neighborhood’s successful efforts to achieve and sustain Promise Neighborhoods results by: building a diverse and effective coalition, partnering with community residents, and forging strong relationships with elected officials at the local, state, and federal level.
Sustaining Parent Engagement throughout the Cradle-to-Career Continuum (GPRAs 12-14)
Overview
Parent and community engagement is critical to achieving and sustaining Promise Neighborhoods results. Moreover, research demonstrates that children whose parents are involved in their reading and learning are more likely to have stronger academic performances and fewer absences. During this webinar, Marilyn Joseph (Harlem Children’s Zone) and Alysha Price and Michelle Martin (Northside Achievement Zone) lifted up strategies to ensure that parents are: reading to their children, preparing them for college and career success, and equipped with the skills and access needed to meaningfully contribute to the achievement of results at every stage of the cradle to career continuum (GPRAs 12-14).