By Crystal D. Swann
October 8, 2007

At a session entitled, “Closing the Wealth Divide: Creating a Poverty Reduction Strategy for Black America,” Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer presented the findings and recommendations of the and the work of the Mayors Poverty, Work and Opportunity Task Force and the Mayor’s 10-Point Agenda. The Congressional Black Caucus poverty reduction discussion built upon the policy recommendations presented in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation report, Poverty, Race and Policy: Strategic Advancement for a Family Economic Success Agenda.

The September 29 roundtable featured mayors, state legislators, county officials, and business and non-profit leaders who strategize with CBC members about effective mechanisms, models and programs for promoting sustainable poverty reduction. Moderated by Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree, this session provided an opportunity for local, county and state elected officials to present policy ideas that can be crafted into federal legislation. Specific attention was given to creating a strategy that would leverage the power of multiple levels of government to tackle the problem of the racial wealth divide and issues associated with a growing underclass in the United States of America.

The participants discussed and highlighted a myriad of policy recommendations from the federal, local and state perspectives with the hopes of presenting viable solutions to addressing failing schools; high school drop out rates; high poverty levels among black and Hispanics; and unequal treatment and access in the healthcare system. Oakland (CA) Mayor Ron Dellums, who was also recently tapped to lead Senator Hillary Clinton’s urban policy committee, pointed out that problems usually are solved while you’re trying to solve other problems. Whether it’s addressing the decaying city infrastructure or the greening of American cities; the creation of new industries as a means of addressing pressing national policies can lead to the creation of new jobs and new jobs often lead the way out of poverty,” Dellums noted.

In a nation with 37 million American living under the official poverty line; nine million children without health insurance; cuts in school funding; increases in college tuitions, many argued that a national poverty agenda that seeks to truly level the playing field and allow working families to emerge from poverty was lacking in this country. To compete in today’s global economy America needs more of its people contributing to economic growth. This means that America must maximize the productive potential of all segments of its population, that all Americans, at all levels, must be able to connect with opportunities they need to maximize their potential. It means that the nation must develop support strategies to reach all strata of people excluded from the economic system, and must ensure that an adequate safety net exists for those for whom self-sufficiency is not possible.

The 23 Conference of Mayors’ Poverty Task Force recommendations along with the Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums’ Commission Report; the National Urban Leagues’ State of Black America report, represent the framework for a sorely needed national urban agenda to confront poverty in America’s cities, the nation’s economic engines.

Additional participants also included former New Orleans Mayor National Urban League President Marc Morial, former West Virginia Governor Alliance for Excellent Education President Bob Wise; National Association of Counties President County Commissioner Eric Coleman; Representative Elijah Cummings; and many other experts.