December 14, 2024

cjstudents

News for criminal justice students

Akron budget doesn’t include key hires sought by equity task force

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Key recommendations from a recently released Racial Equity and Social Justice Taskforce report were notably missing from Akron’s upcoming 2022 operational budget, sparking concern from task force members about the city’s commitment to address racism as a public health crisis. 

“I know it’s long-haul work, but you have to start making moves now,” said Robert DeJournett, who served on the task force and works as the vice president of opportunity and inclusion at the Greater Akron Chamber. “Our community needs to feel like the city is taking this really seriously.”

Robert DeJournett, vice president of opportunity and inclusion at the Greater Akron Chamber

The report, released this month by a task force of 29 community members convened by the city, outlined a five-year strategic plan to promote equity and opportunity for Akron’s communities of color and other marginalized groups. City officials say they have already begun to enact some of the task force’s early recommendations, but the group issued its final report — including requests that would involve significant spending — just prior to the 2022 budget presentation.

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