Cleveland’s Racism as a Public Health Crisis Coalition (RAPHC-C), the group tasked with advising city officials on how to address racial disparities in health, housing, education and other areas, is now seeking residents’ feedback on their strategies before finalizing them.  

The group is hosting two public meetings for Cleveland residents in February. Coalition committee members and local experts will present data, strategies, and possible solutions to address racial disparities. Residents will have the opportunity to share their feedback, which will help the group as it begins to formalize a final report to be released later this year.  

Cleveland’s coalition working since 2020

In 2018, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, was the first community to declare racism a public health crisis. Many more cities and counties followed, passing resolutions especially after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020.

“These declarations are an important first step to advancing racial equity and justice and must be followed by allocation of resources and strategic action,” according to the American Public Health Association. APHA’s Racial Equity and Public Health fact sheet explains why.

In June of 2020, Cleveland City Council passed its own version. The resolution established a working group, which later became the RAPHC coalition. 

The coalition was tasked with drafting policies that would inform and guide city officials on different solutions to the health and wellness disparities of people of color and build partnerships with local organizations who focus on addressing the root causes of inequities in Cleveland. 

Seeking community input

In November 2023, RAPHC-C met with Cleveland leaders and city officials to present their progress and data and the strategies they’ve considered over the last three years. However, the group didn’t have much to share during the meeting. Some criticized the group for the lack of progress and transparency. 

Leaders told Signal Cleveland they promised to improve their community engagement efforts as a way to ensure residents’ voices and concerns are included in their process. The report’s goal is to offer suggestions to city officials on how to address racism as a public health crisis in Cleveland. 

The community meetings are scheduled for the following dates: 

• Thursday, Feb. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Elizabeth Baptist Church

6114 Frances Ave., Cleveland, OH 44127 

• Thursday, Feb. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Urban League of Greater Cleveland 

2930 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland, OH 44115 

The meetings are free and open to the public. To register, email Gabrielle Fowlkes at [email protected], or call 216-539-9458.