May 29: Commission on Black Women and Girls

Covered by Documenters Lauren Hakim (notes), Shayla Ivezzy (notes) and Prerna Agarwal (live-tweets)

Cleveland’s Commission on Black Women and Girls is building up its membership. Though it was created by law in 2022, the commission didn’t get its first 10 members until February of this year. During the second meeting since its creation, existing members discussed the commission’s four vacancies and what they are looking for in potential candidates.

The open commission spots are for two Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) students aged 11-17, one college student, one higher education representative and one labor representative. The city charter requires members with those qualifications. All of the positions are intended for Black women living in Cleveland, according to draft guidelines for applicants shared by Commissioner Dameyonna Willis.

Guidelines for CMSD commissioners

Commissioners discussed requirements for CMSD students. Opinions differed as to whether they should need a letter of recommendation. 

Commissioner and Cleveland City Council Member Stephanie Howse-Jones said the requirement may exclude children who don’t have an adult in their life who could write a recommendation. Another commissioner said there are benefits to hearing from another person about a candidate’s leadership qualities and abilities.

The commission ultimately decided to make the letters optional for CMSD students. They may provide examples in the application of people students could ask for letters, such as a coach or pastor.

Howse-Jones further pressed the commission to keep in mind students who are struggling and to give them an opportunity to participate in the commission’s work.

A commissioner added that CMSD doesn’t represent all students in Cleveland and asked if the category should be expanded to include high school students attending charter schools.

Howse-Jones said that the city charter requires CMSD students serve on the commission, but the intention is for the commission to put forward recommendations to update the charter after at least a year of work.

Chair Kathryn Hall said the commission will vote on the guidelines and establish a timeframe for the application window at this month’s meeting, scheduled for June 25. The City of Cleveland website shows applications are currently closed.

Starting with the basics

The commission is still tackling some of the logistical work, such as getting its website up and running and setting up subcommittees. 

Commissioner Eugenia Cash-Kirkland said the commission’s website should be completed within 30 days. She said there is currently only a page on the city website, and the new website will include contact information and biographies for commissioners.

Hall also said they will be determining subcommittees based on the commission’s mission of developing, maintaining and sharing information related to Black women. 

Possible subcommittees include:

  • Research
  • Public hearings
  • Education
  • Economic development
  • Healthcare and mental/behavioral health 
  • Justice
  • Civil rights

Commissioners will sit on at least one committee.

Left wondering

Documenter Lauren Hakim asked, “What are the most important factors that will help set benchmarks and determine the success of the commission, both in the short and long term?”

Read the notes from Documenter Lauren Hakim:

Read the notes from Documenter Shayla Ivezzy:

Read the live-tweet thread from Documenter Prerna Agarwal:

Signal background

Suggested reading

Anastazia worked as the Cleveland Documenters Commuity Coordinator for Signal Cleveland through July, 2024. She supported the Cleveland Documenters community and helped weave Documenters coverage into Signal Cleveland reporting.

Cleveland Documenters pays and trains people to cover public meetings where government officials discuss important issues and decide how to spend taxpayer money.