THE LATEST MOVES

COVID-19 AND SACRAMENTO COUNTY: Matching $180 Million with Community Needs For Disaster Relief

As local, state and federal government policymakers move quickly to deploy resources for children, youth, families, communities and businesses impacted by the virus and economic stagnation, marginalized communities are being left further behind.  The CALIFORNIA URBAN PARTNERSHIP continues to help and fight for them to have voice and agency to ensure their needs are prioritized.  We were able to develop this infographic because of the leadership of United Way-CCR director of impact Kula Koenig, who pulled COMMUNITY PARTNERS together to work on a critical and timely survey to help Sacramento County residents shape how local government uses $180M to meet their COVID-19 disaster relief needs.   The following team of nonprofit community organizations led the formation and distribution of the survey :::::: United Way - California Capitol Region, Sacramento Building Healthy Communities, California Urban Partnership, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation and Organize Sacramento.  For more information, contact Kula Koenig at [email protected].

CALL TO ACTION COVID-19 A Virtual Town Hall on Black Business and Economic Development Issues in Sacramento

CALL TO ACTION:
A Virtual TownHall on Black Business and Economic Development Issues  

All communities are suffering from the global COVID-19 pandemic.  It comes as no surprise, however, that COVID-19 is only exacerbating the generational disparities faced by the African American community, and we are disproportionately experiencing the most negative consequences when compared to other racial and ethnic groups. We are dying more from the virus, our restaurant, construction, technology and marijuana businesses are closing, struggling to stay afloat, or can’t even get the capital and assistance to start when they need it the most.  We continue to get killed by the police for nonviolent offenses, and ignored by politicians as the rich are empowered to become wealthier.  Organized by the California Urban Partnership, the Sacramento African American Coalition On COVID-19 focused a Virtual TownHall on framing racial wealth gaps, local Black business and economic development, as well as family financial issues and struggles.  Over 200 community leaders, residents and activists gathered to channel community feedback into ACTION!  They focused on shaping how the City ($89M) and County ($182M) of Sacramento directs some of the $271M in federal CARES Act funding to support business and family economic development in the Black community.  Of the nearly $148 million in CARES Act funding that the County had spent by August 2020, more than $104 million went toward paying for Sheriff's salaries and benefits instead of addressing the public health crises.  Despite this injustice, this convening supported a series of community organizing efforts that changed media narratives to influence County and City officials to be more equitable in funding public health and economic development needs in communities already vulnerable and most harmed by COVID-19.  The struggle continues, as well as CUP efforts to partner with systems change advocates to help Black and Indigenous People of Color TAKE ACTION, and ensure that our voices are heard!

California Urban Partnership focuses on the two pandemics
​

California Urban Partnership Focuses on the Two Pandemics

At California Urban Partnership, we are focused on the two pandemics of critical urgency in America. COVID 19 and  Institutional Racism. As local, state and federal government policymaking bodies move quickly to deploy resources for children, youth, families, communities and businesses impacted by the virus and economic stagnation. we are helping marginalized communities have a voice and ensure their needs are prioritized by elected officials and agencies that are leaving them behind.  We are making the case for the data collection, analysis and market access work  necessary to help Black owned businesses struggling on an unlevel playing field.  We believe that Black business health recovery in the age of COVID will require a triage, recovery and sustainability process.  As anti-Blackness shows up through fatal police violence, we are addressing structural racism in policymaking and empowering communities to speak with one voice so that harmful practices and budget decisions change.  We are organizing youth leaders to demand computer equipment, wireless access, meals and free transportation for low income students who lack tools for success in the new distance learning environment.

In the age of COVID-19, national civil and racial unrest, severe wealth gaps and income inequality, this kind of power building in the ECONOMIC JUSTICE space is what African Americans and communities of color will need to recover, survive and thrive.  
The CALIFORNIA URBAN PARTNERSHIP builds economic security in Black communities through policy research, education and organizing community action.  We advocate for systems changes that increase investments to improve health and wealth for the most marginalized people and places. We envision neighborhoods in regions where race is never a barrier for people to achieve economic prosperity.

IN THE MEDIA