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Akron's Racial Equity and Social Justice Task Force Begins Work

A screenshot of Akron's Racial Equity and Social Justice Taskforce meeting on Nov. 10, 2020.
Mark Arehart
/
YouTube
A screenshot of Akron's Racial Equity and Social Justice Taskforce meeting on Nov. 10, 2020.

Akron’s Racial Equity and Social Justice Task Force has started its work to develop a five-year plan of recommendations.

The 30-member task force was set up by Mayor Dan Horrigan in June after the city declared racism a public health crisis.

Bishop Joey Johnson heads the task force with several co-chairs to address criminal justice, public health, housing, workforce development and communication.

“I’ve talked to a number of the chairs. They aren’t trying to drive an agenda," Johnson said. "They’re trying to facilitate a discussion about what we need to do in the city of Akron, what we need to investigate, what kind of recommendations we can make for a better Akron.”

The task force will live stream its meetings the second Tuesday of each month through December 2021.

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Mark has been a host, reporter and producer at several NPR member stations in Delaware, Alaska, Washington and Kansas. His reporting has taken him everywhere from remote islands in the Bering Sea to the tops of skyscrapers overlooking Puget Sound. He is a diehard college basketball fan who enjoys taking walks with his dog, Otis.