It has been said that a rising tide lifts all boats.  And while Cleveland has seen some glorious success stories in the form of Rockefeller, Severance and Gund, the Cleveland I know might better be described as a tale of two cities.

For generations, parts of Cleveland have received investment while others have been willfully neglected. The costs of this neglect are stark:

  • Today, 31% of Clevelanders live in poverty – the highest rate in the nation.[1] Of those living in poverty, more than 54% are Black.[2]
  • According to data from 2018 from the Brookings Institute, Cleveland is the 5th most segregated city in the nation.[3] National data shows that in the US, majority-white neighborhoods saw a net difference of $164,000 in home appraisals when compared with predominantly Black and Latinx neighborhoods.[4] 
  • In Cleveland, 36% of Black families vs. 75% of white households owned their homes in 2020.[5] Federal Reserve data from 2019 shows that the median net worth for homeowners is 40 times more than renters ($255,000 vs. $6,300).[6]

As the owner of Next Generation Construction and someone who grew up on the east side of the city of Cleveland, I have personally seen the critical role of owning property in desirable zip codes plays in the ability to create and pass down wealth. In fact, I watched my father work his entire life at the Cleveland Water Department and tend to his loving home.  When he died, his prized possession had little resale value.

it cannot be incumbent on individuals to create structural change.  Good governance and sound economic investment plans and policies are central to leveling the playing field.

As a mentor, employer and fixture on the Construction Employers Association, National Association of Minority Contractors, Construction Assistance Association & CLEVE BUILDS boards, I have spent my entire career trying to give a leg up to the next generation. And while I relish the opportunity, it cannot be incumbent on individuals to create structural change.  For far too long in Cleveland, the zip code you are born into is disproportionately an indicator of future success, not your hard work or innate talents.  It is beyond time to level the playing field. Central to leveling the playing field is good governance and sound economic investment plans and policies.

For me, the only choice for Cleveland’s next mayor is Justin Bibb.  We have had too many politicians just talk the talk, now we need one who walks the walk as well.  Justin’s leadership will drive opportunities for all, including those that have been chronically under-served by our city government for generations. 

If we want all our children and grandchildren to thrive, it is urgent to support a mayor who will employ data and technology to drive lasting and systematic change in where we invest our city budget.  Justin’s lived experience in Cleveland and seeing how other cities have tackled big problems – will be core to the solutions he drives to fruition.

I stayed in Cleveland and built my business here because I wholeheartedly believe we can be the greatest city in the country.  This will only happen if we address the gap in generational wealth and inequality that manifests itself in two very different Cleveland’s – so that we can in fact raise the tide for all of our boats. Cleveland can’t wait and that’s why I urge you to join me in voting for Justin Bibb as our next mayor.

Shakorie Davis

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Shakorie Davis is CEO of one of Northeast Ohio’s largest MBE construction companies. His company, NextGen Construction, is headquartered in Midtown Cleveland.

 

[1] https://www.communitysolutions.com/cleveland-now-poorest-big-city-country/#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20more%20than%20114%2C000,living%20in%20poverty%20in%202019.&text=Meanwhile%2C%20Detroit's%20senior%20poverty%20rate%20fell%20to%2018.8%20percent.

[2] https://datausa.io/profile/geo/cleveland-oh/#economy 

[3]https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/commentary/articles/what-happened-to-integration

[4] https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-is-generational-wealth/#:~:text=Baby%20Boomers%20hold%20the%20majority,than%2010%20times%20than%20millennials.

[5] https://www.crainscleveland.com/scott-suttell-blog/big-racial-gaps-persist-home-ownership-rates#:~:text=Only%2044%25%20of%20Black%20families,of%20U.S.%20Census%20Bureau%20data.

[6]https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-is-generational-wealth/#:~:text=Baby%20Boomers%20hold%20the%20majority,than%2010%20times%20than%20millennials.