On April 21, the Oberlin Social Equity Plan Steering Committee presented the final draft of the Oberlin Social Equity Plan to the City Council. The draft plan identified areas in need of social equity improvement in infrastructure, Oberlin City government, and community. Totaling 97 pages, it includes policy recommendations and goals for increasing the supply of affordable housing, improving the community-based policing model, and broadening educational opportunities in Oberlin City Schools. 

Work on the plan began July 2020 under former City Manager Rob Hillard, propelled by the murder of George Floyd and resulting national unrest, which led Oberlin residents to reflect on inequity in their own  community. After four years of work on the plan, the Social Equity Plan Steering Committee, chaired by Professor of Africana Studies and Religion Emeritus A.G. Miller, was formalized as an official City Council Committee. The Steering Committee finalized the plan March 28 of this year. 

The Social Equity Plan Steering Committee analyzed data and metrics on life in Oberlin to “[identify] existing disparities and [measure] social, economic, and demographic trends within the community.” Additionally, the committee continuously gather community input in the form of surveys, focus groups, and public forums, and  reviewed successful equality initiatives in other communities. 

Completing that process involved consultation with experts in all areas of public policy and social life in Oberlin, including those involved in operating social service programs such as accessible food and housing initiatives, professors at the College, historians, and City government officials. 

Emeritus Professor of History Carol Lasser wrote about the history of social equity, especially pertaining to race, in Oberlin, for the ‘Race & Equity in Oberlin’ section of the plan. 

“It took us a long time to get here — that by the time in the ’60s the town begins to say, ‘Wait, we need fair housing, we need more equity,’ things are so thoroughly entrenched it takes a long time and really concerted effort to make reparation for the entrenched discrimination and racism that is manifest in the city today,” Lasser said.

According to the plan, the Social Equity Assessment, which is one branch of the plan, found that “most people feel comfortable, safe, and respected in Oberlin, and have a very positive view of the community,” but also found that “Black and Brown residents in general seem to have a different experience living in Oberlin than their white counterparts. … Individuals commented on being treated as though they are not residents in their own community.” 

In the focus groups, participants also acknowledged improvements in recent years involving positive changes to Oberlin City School policies, the creation of the Human Relations Commission, and more diversity on the City Council. 

“[The Steering Committee] wanted to make sure that this spoke to everybody in the community, not just a certain segment of the community, but everybody’s voices got heard at this table,” said Client Services Coordinator at Oberlin Community Services Kathy Burns, who sat on the Steering Committee. 

Social Equity Coordinator Terri Richardson-Sanders has been hired by the City to continue to coordinate the social equity efforts enumerated in the plan. Other action stemming from the plan includes a new workplace development partnership with Lorain County Community College. The City Council is also in consultation with a developer on an affordable housing project, an issue centrally highlighted in the plan. Ray English, who was vice chair of the Steering Committee, also indicated that a second committee would likely be created soon to continue the implementation of the plan. 

Burns said she believes that Oberlin community members can begin to participate in the social equity initiative by looking at the plan themselves. 

“I want people to look at it, even if it’s just the section they’re interested in,” Burns said. “I don’t just want to say, ‘Don’t worry, we got you,’ I want to make sure that everyone’s voices were heard, and I want people to know that we took them seriously and we continue to take them seriously.”

The final draft of the plan can be found at www.oberlinsocialequityplan.com/. A second reading of the plan for community consideration will take place in the upcoming City Council meeting May 5.