The Opportunity Agenda crafted messaging advice for changing media coverage and public perceptions of African-American men and boys based on existing research and years of work at the intersection of media, communications and racial justice.

This memo is intended to assist those working to reduce stereotypes and expand opportunity for black males as well as those concerned with journalistic excellence and socially responsible entertainment media.

Change is needed in these areas because research and experience find persistently distorted media depictions of black males that contribute to negative stereotypes, unfair treatment, and unequal opportunity in areas ranging from employment to education to criminal justice and beyond. 

This brief includes three schedules from ExpandED Schools, highlighting the new classes, supports, and activities available to students thanks to the longer day and community assets in the school.

To support sustaining local leader’s efforts, to achieve collective impact by improving the educational and developmental outcomes for poor children in America, the Promise Neighborhoods Institute at PolicyLink (PNI) is working to attract additional investment to network member’s Promise Neighborhood cradle-to-career continuum of solutions. Network members meeting ALL of the criteria described below may submit requests for funding to their peers.

In the summer of 2014, The Promise Neighborhoods Institute at PolicyLink (PNI) introduced model legislation to be used at the state and local level to secure support for cradle to career efforts. The Cradle to Career Act of 201_ secures funding for innovative, results-based, and comprehensive continua of solutions that connect children and youth to a high quality education and key health and social services that prepare them to succeed in college and in their careers. The legislation was intentionally drafted in a manner that it may be used to support various strategies that advance educational outcomes from cradle through college and career.

The Detroit region is undergoing growth and change. After losing approximately 156,000 people between 2000 and 2010, the region is projected to reverse its recent losses and grow by about 5 percent over the next 30 years. People of color will make up a growing share of the population, with much of that growth propelled by Latinos and Asians. An infusion of new public and private investments along with middle-wage job growth is also fueling an economic recovery, what some have called a Detroit Renaissance. However, not everyone will benefit unless business, community, and political leaders work together to connect people of color to jobs, business opportunities, quality education and career training, and healthy homes and neighborhoods. Read the summary and the full profile.

With a median household income of $110,292, Fairfax County, Virginia is one of the wealthiest counties in the nation—but not all residents share in this economic prosperity. As its population has grown and diversified over the past 25 years, inequities in income and opportunity by race and geography have also increased. Given that communities of color are expected to increase from 45 to 72 percent of the population by 2040, taking concrete steps to create pathways for the communities being left behind to connect to education and good jobs is critical for the county’s economic future. This study was produced in partnership with the County and other local leaders to support their efforts to build a stronger and more equitable county. Read the summary and the full profile, and see the press release.

Media: Fairfax County Faces Stark Stats on Income Inequality (Next City)