CLEVELAND — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on June 26, 2022.
Applications are now open for Cleveland's new Commission for Black Women and Girls.
The new commission was created after Cleveland City Council unanimously passed legislation last month sponsored by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Councilwoman Deborah Gray and Stephanie Howse.
“The establishment of a Commission entirely focused on improving the lives of Black women and girls at the local level is not only historic, but necessary,” Mayor Bibb said. “Black women are the backbone of our communities and I’m looking forward to centering their lived experience in policy decisions and programs – it can only make us all stronger."
The commission will be tasked with creating programs and legislations to help improve Cleveland for Black women and girls as well as their families and surrounding communities.
“The goal of this Commission is to create structural representation in government that gives Black women and girls a voice in identifying the problems facing their communities and, most importantly, in designing the solutions,” Councilwoman Howse said.
Twelve members and two ex-officio members will preside on the commission.
“Too often, Black women are ignored or made to feel invisible. The launch of this Commission is historic because it creates a platform for change designed by Black women, for Black women, unleashing our collective power to deliver effective, culturally appropriate programs and legislation,” Councilwoman Gray stated.
Criteria were created to determine who is eligible to serve on the commission in order to have a wide range of demographics.
According to Mayor Bibb's website, the criteria include the following:
- One Black woman representing the faith community
- One Black woman representing corporate Cleveland
- One Black woman representing higher education
- One Black woman who is a MD within one of the hospital systems
- One Black woman representing social services
- One Black woman representing labor
- One Black woman representing education (primary, secondary and/or pre-school)
- One Black woman representing grassroots organizations in Cleveland
- Two Black women in college
- Two Black students representing ages 11-17
- One Black woman from the Mayor’s Office
- One Black woman to represent Cleveland City Council
- One advisor from the Commission to the Girl Committee
- Four girls ages 8- 12 years of age enrolled in CMSD
- Four girls ages 13-17 years of age enrolled in CMSD
- Three girls ages 18-20 years of age
Applications are now open and will remain open until Wednesday, Aug 3 at 11:59 p.m.
Anyone interested in applying can access the application HERE.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on May 24, 2022.