YOUNGSTOWN - Youngstown City School District is moving forward with plans to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as part of its ongoing work associated with its
YOUprint 2030 strategic plan.

"2020 has reminded us that we must talk candidly together about race—starting with focused conversations about racism in schools, and YCSD is committed to embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, said Justin Jennings, YCSD CEO. "We are focused on creating a culture that supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and excellence. It's time to stop looking backward and rehashing old issues. We know systemic racism is real, equity and inclusion are important, and we must work together to move forward to effect real change."

As part of the school district's new YOUprint 2030 strategic plan, four specific areas are identified to create this culture. One of our first steps is to create an information campaign to increase awareness and understanding of the way YCSD defines DIVERSITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION.

DIVERSITY - is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs.

EQUITY - is the guarantee of fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. The principle of equity acknowledges that there are historically underserved and underrepresented populations. Fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is needed to assist equality in providing effective opportunities to all groups.

INCLUSION - is involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized. An inclusive school district promotes and sustains a sense of belonging; it values and practices respect for the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of living of its staff, students, and community members.

One of the YCSD YOUprint 2030 strategic plan's primary goals is to create a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and excellence.

These are the areas the district hopes to improve over the next five years.

1. Youngstown City School District will create diversity, equity, and inclusion plan to guide the district in maintaining a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and excellence.

2. Youngstown City School District will create methods to seek feedback from employees, students, and community members to determine the school district's effectiveness in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

3. The Youngstown City School District will realize an increase in the number of diverse employees to support and provide a diverse and inclusive workforce.

4. The Youngstown City School District will monitor and adjust programs as needed to meet the needs of our diverse students/scholars, employees, and families.

The Youngstown City School District CEO has shared the following initiatives that have already started or will begin soon:

• Creating and supporting a YCSD Resolution in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. An administrator has been assigned to ensure the points of the resolution are implemented.

• Professional Development and Diversity Training
o All administrative staff has attended the Be a Difference Maker (anti-racism) workshop, and individual schools have or will have this training soon.
o Additional programs will be conducted to build and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and excellence.

• A racial equity committee has been created to focus on strategies to:
o embed Black history into the K-12 curriculum
o use literature to review and discuss bias and racism
o develop a parent/community literacy program that addresses systemic racism and bias
o create ways to allow students to share and discuss their frustrations with issues of racism and bias