Diversity, Equity + Inclusion In A Time Of Union.
The media has done a poor job of telling the stories of an under-served community. Neglecting to address the voices of the members within and the experiences, trauma, and barriers to entry that it faces on a micro and macro level. Jeffery Boyer, a political cartoonist published an image of perspective in the Albany Times Union that 5th Ward Councilman, Jahmel K. Robinson called “deplorable, insensitive and outright racist when you factor in that the Arbor Hill community is predominately people of color who have been marginalized because of the views held by individuals and organizations such as yours” in a letter written to the publisher.
Problematically, the drawing contains a commentary expressing the artist’s journalistic opinion without taking ownership in the words unspoken. This is his speechless opinion of Arbor Hill as a entirety. In conversations and events produced by Mission Accomplished, Alliance for the Creative Economy (ACE) and 518BLK — we’ve been working to address equality, equity, inclusion and diversity within creative industries. This is something that should be important in large media organizations like the Albany Times Union who have the ability to shape and inform public opinion.
The story is one that could have been expressed by a creative immersed in and from the community rather than someone who paints Arbor Hill with images of death, community guns and childhood trauma.
Adam Walker, Managing Director of Apple Orchard — a computer repair company — was one of many to voice his opinion of disgust on Facebook regarding the perspective piece, in which the reader representative, Tena Tyler responded to as seen below:
This is a part of a continued narrative that Arbor Hill and areas afflicted by pain, loss, and violence are known for these things only. This neglects to highlight the need for engagement, resources, and programming.
The most recent shooting in West Hill, marks the city’s eighth homicide of the year, tying a 12-month total from 2017. The Times Union published an article about the state offering resources to combat Albany violence. Included, was a statement that I saw to be fuel for ongoing retaliation. Without the arrest of a shooter and the conviction of a murderer, this is digital he said, she said.
“A person familiar with the killing said that Barnes, a former member of the defunct Jungle Junkies street gang in West Hill, was targeted in retaliation for the killing of Cancer, who was formerly a member of the South End’s Original Gangster Killers. Both of those gangs were decimated during a federal investigation several years ago that led to multiple convictions. The person familiar with the incident said that Barnes wasn’t tied to Cancer’s killing, but that former OGK members had instructed his killer to target “any Jungle Junkie.”
In wake of the Times Union’s green lighting of the cartoon and sharing rumor rather than fact, this has created conversation surrounding the development and deployment of new media. One that listens to and amplifies the voices, stories, and experiences from communities of color. At the same time, there are many things to address regarding next steps, healing and action within these walls in order to restore peace. Inherently bringing forth collaboration among community partners, media organizations, the City of Albany, it’s employees and residents.
I have a long-standing intimate relationship with the Arbor Hill, West Hill, and Sheridan Hollow neighborhoods. I spent 3 years at Phillip Livingston Magnet Academy years before it became a senior apartment complex. Personally, I thought it should have become a performing arts school; something we still need. I used to buy beef patties with white cheese & cocoa bread and fifty cent sodas at Livingston Market on the corner of Thornton. I immediately moved back into the neighborhood on Lark + Orange as a renter when I became an adult. I opened a coworking space, “Spark + Thrive” on North Swan & Third Street to serve a community of entrepreneurs. I’ve sold bundles of collard greens on Henry Johnson Boulevard next door to the police station with my father.
Interested in an Operations Associate position with Redburn Development Partners I wrote in my cover letter, “I once read that ‘Redburn strives to undertake projects that are socially responsible and catalyst projects for the community.’ A mission I can stand by, this resonates deeply with me as someone who was born and raised in the community he lives in. I see opportunity in the often overlooked Arbor Hill + West Hill neighborhoods of Albany.” I saw the possibilities, potential and problems within Historic Arbor Hill as I grew up here, knowing at a young age I would reinvest through education, entrepreneurship and engagement in the community. I have both personal and professional ties here. Arbor Hill is my home.
A few years ago, when applying to The Sage Colleges of Albany for a five year MBA in Business Strategy while opening Spark + Thrive on North Swan Street with Albany Housing Authority — I wrote a dual community impact statement about Arbor Hill.
‘Arbor Hill is a neighborhood AND community that is deserving of new opportunities, partnership development, and continued growth. In using the word “community”, I mean building one that is thriving and inclusive. Being a part of somewhere where there is no “one” definition of community. I want Arbor Hill to grow and be known as more than a geographic location. For this neighborhood to be known by the common interests and causes, recognized through a sense of identity and its shared emotional connections. Adding to common values or norms, mutual influences and overall commitment to meeting the shared needs.”
Within a 1/3 mile stretch of real estate more than $200 million in investment is already proposed or underway. Downtown Albany and the Warehouse District reaching their potential relies on the success of projects named in the DRI Albany application. After observing this, one had to think how many of these jobs are going to members from within the neighboring communities? When these new brick and mortar concepts rise up, where will they be hiring from? Do these companies desire to have a diverse and inclusive workforce that understands the needs of the communities they’re becoming a part of?
I continue this conversation with ongoing themes and impressions of diversity, equity and inclusion. These are the keys to solving long term problems that are consistent in Across communities, organizations, small businesses and corporations we must make the lifetime investments in human capital. I open my time to host the conversations that help move yOUR commUNITY forward, in Collective Effort.
This Article Was Originally Written Between July 15 — July 19 For A Local Media Publication.
