In October 2013, the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families (now Kids Forward) released the “Race to Equity: A Baseline Report on the State of Racial Disparities in Dane County.” The report outlined the uncomfortable truth that regardless of it’s progressive reputation, Dane County was a place of profound racial disparities. The Black-white inequality was prevalent in employment, income, wealth, education, criminal justice, health, and child welfare.

Last week, Kids Forward released a new report: The Race to Equity 10-Year Report: Dane County. This report isn’t a one-to-one comparison with the 2013 report. Rather it unpacks the root causes of the disparities and focuses on Economic Well-being, Education, and Health.

Senior Racial Equity Policy Analyst Carte’cia Lawrence joins host Carousel Bayrd to discuss the report and what it says about Dane County. Will Green, Executive Director of Mentoring Positives, Inc., also joins the show to give his perspective as community leader.

Carte’cia Lawrence is a Senior Racial Equity Policy Analyst at Kids Forward. There she leads in incorporating an antiracist orientation into Kids Forward’s research, analysis, and advocacy efforts.  Prior to Kids Forward, she spent time as an educator and a state government administrator working on safety net programs and poverty-related policies.

Will Green is the Executive Director of Mentoring Positives, Inc. There he leads a mentoring program that focuses on supporting and guiding youth in the Madison community. Additionally, Will serves as the Head Coach for the girls Varsity basketball team at Madison LaFollette High School. Will has over 25 years of experience in working with youth and families facing behavioral and emotional challenges.

Photo by Kindred Hues Photography on Unsplash

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