By Melissa Grothus
March 19, 2007

Selected leaders from government, public policy and the private sector gathered at the Press Club March 9 in Washington (DC) at the Thought Leader Event: Closing the Achievement Gap in Education and Employment Outcomes for At-Risk African-American Young Men. The event was sponsored by Jobs for America’s Graduates and the National Urban League. The event focused on the multiple challenges faced by African-American males, particularly in the areas of education and employment.

Panelists, both senior-level public and private'sector leaders, called for increased government support for successful programs, relevant educational training and testing, job preparation, mentors, and support for young men throughout their educational career and entrance into the workforce.

Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer profiled the mayors’ 10-Point Plan to build Strong Cities, Strong Families for a Strong America, highlighting the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ call for timely reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act and full funding of its programs in his remarks.

“We know what works in our cities…workforce programs like Youthbuild that are transforming kids’ lives. They give them hope, build self-esteem and leadership qualities, educate them, and teach them a valuable trade,” Palmer explained.

Palmer concluded the session, highlighting the mayors increased involvement and interest in education and the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind Act; and reemphasizing their commitment to workforce development and speedy reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act.

He outlined his first-hand knowledge of the problem of disconnected youth in Trenton, and his understanding of the need to improve educational and employment outcomes for this at-risk population. “They must stay in school and receive a high school diploma,” he said.

A primary theme of the event was the necessity to prepare this at-risk population for competition in a 21st century global economy. Former New Orleans mayor Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, and former Conference President, presided over the session, stressing the need for “all people to be on a level playing field” in order for the nation to be able to compete in a global market place. “It is terrible that we have this pipeline to prison. Too many African-American men find themselves in penitentiaries as opposed to college classrooms.” He outlined the need for policy makers to understand that reconnecting youth “affects the economy on every level.”

In addition, U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary Emily DeRocco outlined the federal government’s “four real policy driven strategies” in order to help this at-risk population including:

1. a strong commitment to database decision-making as the best determinant of what is working and what is not;

2. the necessity to create clear alternative pathways to education and careers;

3. the importance of “increased federal leveraging of resources” and dismantling of the “siloed programs” including consolidation of the Workforce Investment Act into a single state block grant; and

4. replication of programs that policy makers know work, like YouthBuild.

   According to DeRocco, “We must have the courage to change the existing system in order to make real progress.”