Baltimore Integration Partnership Update - July 2017
Recommendations and Community Perspectives to Advance Baltimore’s Anchor Work
At a forum in late June, a research team from the University of Colorado at Denver presented findings from interviews with workforce, small business and community stakeholders about the Baltimore Integration Partnership (BIP) and anchor institution inclusion strategies. The event was framed by remarks from Junius Williams of Rutgers highlighting the need for community driven approaches. Kurt Sommer, Director of the BIP, provided an update on the inclusion implementation efforts of Baltimore anchors. The findings of the interviews are captured in a research brief highlighting community perspectives as well as a range of recommendations for institutions, businesses and stakeholders to consider as they implement inclusion strategies. The brief builds on an earlier report documenting anchor perspectives on inclusion. The studies were made possible through the support of the The Annie E. Casey Foundation. Read the 2nd Research Brief.
MICA Launches B/CAN to Support Baltimore’s Creative Economy
A new 10-year, multi-sector initiative is launching that will connect creatives to a range of resources and organizations to address career and enterprise development needs. B/CAN is committed to serving a broad population of creatives in Baltimore including those in a range of different disciplines and professional backgrounds that come from diverse neighborhoods with a special focus on underserved creatives. The BIP and Surdna Foundation supported planning work for the initiative while a range of local and national foundations provided implementation funding including the City of Baltimore. Learn More.
Kaiser Permanente and Bon Secours Partner to Support West Baltimore
Kaiser Permanente announced a commitment of $1.8 million to launch an anchor revitalization project in partnership with Bon Secours that will advance health equity and economic opportunity in West Baltimore. A key component of this project will be the construction of a community resource center that will serve youth and adults with economic, health and social services, supported by an array of local partners. The center will also include a small business incubator expected to support 5- 10 businesses a year. The investment builds on Bon Secours extensive workforce training programs and growing affordable housing portfolio. Kim Horn, President of Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic, noted that the “partnership will create comprehensive support for this community, going far beyond what either of us could do alone.” Read More.
Race Us: Movement Toward Closing the Gaps
Living Cities has just launched their 2016 Annual Report. The collection of essays highlights what it means to take on the work of advancing inclusive capitalism and racial equity-- in cities, in cross-sector tables and within organizations. The report features some of the work of the BIP including the Central Baltimore Future Fund. Join the conversation.
A Conversation with David Williams on Race and Health
The BIP, in collaboration with Morgan State University’s School of Community and Health Policy, was pleased to host Dr. David Williams of Harvard University for an engaging conversation with institution, partner, and community leaders around race, bias, and health on June 23rd. Some of his remarks are captured in his recent TED talk and presentation “How Racism Makes Us Sick” which is available online. The event was part of the BIP’s ongoing efforts to engage institutions and partners around race and bias. Through the support of the Surdna Foundation and Living Cities, the BIP is also supporting implicit bias and structural racism training for the anchors.
Second Round of Anchor Admin Training at Humanim Funded
Through support from DLLR’s EARN program as well as funding from the BIP, a second round of training for administrative assistant positions has launched. Thirty individuals are expected to participate over two cohorts in this year’s program managed by Humanim. Participants will be trained and tested to be certified in Microsoft Office as well as the Professional Administrative Certificate of Excellence. Human Resources leaders from 11 anchors and businesses are helping set program standards, offering job shadowing opportunities, providing seminars on anchor culture and will ultimately consider program graduates for positions. Participating anchors include Morgan, UMB, UMMC, UMMS, Towson, Notre Dame, JHU, JHHS, UB, Mercy, and UM Faculty Physicians, Inc. The program has been instrumental in not just offering training and pathways to jobs, but has also enabled anchors to consider their hiring policies and practices and ways they can build partnerships with workforce organizations. Learn More.
The Social Determinants of Economic Security
Many have heard about the social determinants of health, but how do social indicators impact an ecosystem’s ability to provide economic security? Creating the conditions for economic security requires more than job creation and wage growth. It means transforming systems so people are healthy, housed, prepared for work, and connected to job opportunities and more – and acknowledging the impact that racial inequities have had on each of these systems. Read Full Living Cities Blog
Anchors in the News:
- Bon Secours starts $22M expansion of New Shiloh affordable housing complex
- Towson President Schatzel honored by Associated Black Charities for Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion
- Kaiser, Bon Secours join forces on plan to improve health through economic opportunity
- Baltimore youth jobs programs build a path to careers
- Kaiser Permanente Engages Baltimore Small Business Community
- West Baltimore Residents Offer Input at Town Hall
- 'Investing in Baltimore' means acting with intent and accountability, panelists say
Upcoming Events of Interest:
July 26: Maryland New Directions community ENGAGE event: Transportation… Access Leads to Opportunity
July 26: Back to the Neighborhood: How to Succeed with a Criminal Record
July 27: UMB/UMMC Local Small Business Community Conversation
The Baltimore Integration Partnership is funded by the national Living Cities Integration Initiative, the Surdna Foundation and receives generous local support from The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Goldseker Foundation, Associated Black Charities, The Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative and the Maryland Philanthropy Network (Maryland Philanthropy Network). Maryland Philanthropy Network acts as a backbone organization, coordinating and staffing the partnership.