Senator Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia) released a follow-up report to his 2023 State of Black PA Report. This new report lays out 10 critical recommendations to improve the quality of life for black Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth. This recommendations report comes a year after Sen. Haywood’s initial State of Black PA report that detailed the black experience in the Commonwealth from 2011 to 2021.

Haywood was joined by Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), Philadelphia City Councilmember Cindy Bass, Philadelphia NAACP Branch President Catherine Hicks, Urban League of Philadelphia President and CEO Dr. Darrien Anderson, and Anthony Luker – representing the Shapiro administration.

“We all know the challenges and inequities facing the black community across the nation and here in the Commonwealth,” said Haywood. “Our purpose today is to not dwell on the negative. Instead, we are gathered here today, focused on concrete ways to make the next 10 years better for Black Pennsylvanians than the last decade.

“These recommendations are a starting point for crafting actions to better the lives of Black communities across PA. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly, the Governor’s office, and our partners in the business and non-profit sectors to act, inspired by this report.”

“It’s on all of us to seize this moment and make a tangible impact for our community,” said Hughes. “There’s a lot of things going in the right direction, but we can’t walk away from this conversation. We need to make resources available to Black Pennsylvanians, including for education, housing, and economic prosperity.”

“The Philadelphia Branch NAACP is committed to making a difference in our communities,” added Hicks. “The time is now to implement new strategies and options to ensure economic and generational wealth for Black families, who continue to be the most marginalized in society. We look forward to working with Sen. Haywood and using his recommendations as a ‘call to action’ to continue to move the needle forward for generations.”

Recommendations

“Every success comes with the responsibility to bring more folks along with you.” – Rita Smith Wade-El

1. Establish equitable school funding to improve the environments and resources that support Black students and educators.

2. Prepare Black students to take over as next generation of leaders by equipping them early and intentionally with the information, skills, and space for success.

3. Replace the school-to-prison pipeline with the opportunity pipeline, directing Black students toward underrepresented opportunities while offering support in the forms of mentorship and financial guidance.

4. Raise the minimum wage to a family-sustaining level.

5. Increase and improve access to safe, affordable family housing by increasing inventory and removing barriers to homebuying, such as bias and criminal history.

6. Increase Harrisburg support to municipalities via programs such as Whole Home Repairs.

7. Support Black entrepreneurs in establishing a strong business community by increasing access to financial and professional resources.

8. Position incarcerated individuals for success through educational and mental health supports.

9. Support Black women by increasing access to contraceptive care, pre- and postnatal care, and emotional support.

10. Increase access to affordable, accessible childcare.