I n -.. .. _______________________________ ---' BlaeKoffee ffot Strong Sobering by Charles Griggs RACE RELATIONS PART DEUX: LOOKING FOR THE HOOK UP JCC's follow up study illustrates how little influence blacks have on the corporate front. Jacksonville lacks relationships that lead to positive change. LIVE FROM CITY HALL 6- by Jacksonville City Councilman Reginald Fullwood The EWC Tigers Will Live to Fight Another Day . "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people." Martin Luther King, Jr. "In measures of business.ownership and leadership, racial disparities continue. In 2004, none of the 50fastest growing private companies identified by The Business Journal of Jacksonville were headed by black leadership." JCCI's Race Relations Progress Report I must admit, I continue to be fascinated with the data that has been generated by the recent Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. (JCCI) follow up report on race relations. The study, titled "Race Relations Progress Report," attempts to provide follow up information to the "2002 SBeyond the Talk: Improving Race Relations Study." First of all, kudos to JCCI for working so approaching Jacksonville's race issues so matter-of-factly. While most of the information that's presented in both studies contains no real revelations to folks in the African American communi- ty, the work is well justified because the data don't lie. SAnd although the information in the Progress Report is startling enough in all areas to send the community into extreme strategic planning mode, it won't. And yet will all of the racial drama that the disparities represent there is one area of the study that just scream out for more examination and explanation: None of the 50fastest growing private companies...are headed by black leadership. In 2000, less than 4 percent of all chief executive offi- cers in Jacksonville were black. This presents a major problem as it relates to forging opportunities for diversity and inclusion. My good friend Dr. Melvin Gravely II, author of the book "When Black and White Make Green: The Next Evolution of Business and Race," often speaks about actionable rela- tionships, or "the hook up," and the benefits that this type of contact building can bring. "Actionable relationships are those relationships with whom you have influence and trust; The types relationships with people who are both willing and able to create access for you; The types of relationships with people who have power and influence and are willing to use both in your behalf. The evidence is clear that these actionable relation- ships are what matter most. In every case study of black and minority entrepreneurs (and executives) that had major suc- cesses, each of them pointed to a person who "hooked them up," says Gravely. The problem is that since black folks are less often to be in posi- tions of influence, they are less likely to "get the hook up." S Let's be honest, white folks hook eac other up all of the time (as evident by the face of businesAlbdi'shipih Jackson\lle.' .' i - It's not uncommon for some blacks to wonder how som whites reach their levels of achievement with the union spired, noncreative work ethic that they display on a dail basis. The answer is simple, they were hooked up. For blacks the reality of being hooked up is a little mor challenging. "These relationships are not easy to create This is tough stuff. The non-business, attitude changing comfort zone escaping, stereotype breaking work that ha years of momentum that must be broken," Gravely explains Some blacks might even argue that whites in positions c influence have for decades exercised a self-serving form c affirmative action. That is when given the opportunity t promote or advance someone's career move whites ar more likely to "hook up" someone who looks, acts, an thinks like them. Can this be called discrimination? No, not intentionally. However, this dynamic has been persuasive factor for so long that it makes it almost impo, sible for blacks to penetrate the decision-making levels c corporate Jacksonville. Thus leaving a slew of talent African American thinkers and doers on the bottom rungs In the circles that I travel, I am always amazed at the over looked talent that exist right here in Jacksonville. Bi because those in positions of influence aren't willing to tak chances on many of the city's potential stars, Jacksonville set to remain in the dark ages of diversity advancement. And.folks that's not me talking, the data says it loud and clea And while the numbers seem to prove that blacks have n connection to the t9p, there are few explanations as to why Sure we can speculate as to why Jacksonville's white bus ness leaders aren't as comfortable reaching out to local black in the same manner as their own. But in the spirit of the fac presented by the study it wouldn't be fair to those who believe that they are making a difference to be too critical. Nevertheless, Jacksonville is in a position to do some thing about this problem that hinders the economic advancement of an entire community. Given positions of influence blacks will imitate white and be more apt to recognize the talent of those who ai more likely to look, act, and think like them. In turn crea ing access for more blacks. Can this be called discrimination? No, not intentionally. However, it would be just what th community needs to help close racial gaps in business leach ership employment, and economic development. It's a realization that the future of successful race relation hinges on some individual soul searching, and perhaps risk takin Because all a person needs to be successful is a hook up You can send us an e-mail with your comment to: a. .- ri gr orama'aol.con. . .. '- r 1. ." - There is a term that many old y timers use that is probably very ap- propriate at this time. re When someone or a situation is e., perplexing or just hard to figure out, ', some say that "The ox is stuck in s the ditch." s. That is exactly where Edward af f Waters College has been for the past o several months stuck in a ditch in *e with some hope, but little certainty d on how to get out. But as my grand- mother would say, "hope and prayer are enough to make a way out of no a way." s- Some had put the final nail in the If d college's coffin, many held on their faith in the college, legal system and r- community support. That conver- ut gence of entities made a strong case ce and has led to last weeks announce- is ment that EWC and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools r. (SACS) have agreed on a settlement S of the school's lawsuit against the i- organization. ks Let's see how much positive press ts this story gets. The school has been 'e under extreme scrutiny over the past six months and it will be interesting e- to find out what billing this story ic receives. es Southern Association of Colleges re and Schools revoked EWCs accredi- t- station in December of last year after a plagiarism issue. The college .ap- pealed the decision and lost, and is then filed a lawsuit in federal court d- alluding to the unfairness of the process. 1s A judge ordered mediation be- p. tween the parties, and the settlement currently being proposed is a result of that mediation. In the court filing, S the college agreed to drop ,,iJ law- suit depending on the outcome df a June 23 SACS meeting in Ponte Vedra Beach. In summary, the college would probably have to be on probation for a short time and ultimately keep its' accreditation. Talk about breathing a breath of fresh air. Several months ago I wrote about how important EWC is to the neighborhoods surrounding the col- lege, but let's look at how important it is to the black economy in Jack- sonville. I don't have the exact fig- ures, but it would be easy to argue that the college is a major employer of African Americans in Jackson- ville with between 100 to 150 staff members according on, the number of students are at the school at any given time. As enrollment drops, so does the need for teachers, administrative support and even maintenance per- sonnel. So although the college did have to make some layoffs, the situation could have been disastrous for the school and the community. Currently in this country African Americans have the highest unem- ployment rate of all races at 11 per- cent, which basically is double the national rate of 5.2 percent, accord- ing to the Bureau of Labor Statis- tics. The unemployment rate in Jack- sonville mirrors the national average at a little more than 5 percent. But again, the black unemployment rate in the city is doubled. These stats are important because if institutions like EWC, that em- ploy a fairly large number of blacks, have to close their doors or make significant jobs cuts it will have a ,ripple effect in the African Ameri- can communir. Albert Einstein once'said, "In the middle of difficulty lies opportu- nity." This has certainly been a dif- ficult position for the college, but there are many opportunities that the school can gain from this experi- ence. For example, former mayor John Delaney, now president of the Uni- versity of North Florida has com- mitted resources to assisting EWC. Specially, loaning the college UNF's internal auditor who will act as interim director of internal audit- ing for EWC. It may not be time for a complete overhaul, but it is time to review, and improve the school's organiza- tiohal structure and put the right people in the right positions. Other opportunities may include new processes being put in place to han- dle the creation and management of important documents. Historically black colleges like EWC have played a critical role in this country since they were estab- lished in the face of Jim Crow, seg- regation and the systematic degrada- tion of schools in minority commu- nities. It is critical that continue to support these institutions, and it is extremely important that our youth understand the roles they played our past, the present and future. Edward Waters College will.be a better institution of higher learning because of this recent hardship. Overcoming difficultly is a part of the human experience, and as John Hope Franklin once said, "If the house is to be set in order, one can- i not begin with the present; he must . begin with the past." Signing:offr om, KingsRoad, ,,*. - Reseie Fullwood . Why The Till Case Still .Matters - - w V. f - oo4 -m-.0 qm - 411- 4MON- 44 f-- . -~s - w 4b - -- - opyrighted Material S Syndicated Content SAvailable from Commercial News Providers W- D -A a - a- "M w n%-..ap. m a- ~ ~ . - 4b . DISCLAIMER The United State. provides opportunities for free expression of ideas. The Jacksonville Free Press has its view, but others may differ. Therefore, the Free Press ownership reserves the right to publish views and opinions by syndicated and local columnist, professional writers and other writers' which are solely their own. Those views do not necessarily reflect the policies and positions of the -staff and management of the Jacksonville Free Press. Readers, are encouraged to write letters to the editor commenting on current events as well as they what like to see included in the paper. All letters must be type written and signed and include a telephone number and address. Please address letters to the Editor, c/o JFP, P.O. 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