Foreclosure counseling by black churches. Expanding the numbers of black workers and entrepreneurs in "green businesses." And urging more federal funding for programs to reduce infant mortality rates among black babies.
These were among the solutions offered by business, community and political leaders in the Greater Baltimore Urban League's report, "The State of Black Baltimore," a collection of essays and analyses on some of the most vexing problems confronting the city's black residents.
The 183-page report, which was presented yesterday at the Marriott Waterfront hotel, examines such issues as growing gang violence, the struggles of ex-offenders to gain employment, challenges in higher education and how the foreclosure crisis disproportionately affects the city's black population.
At the conference, panelists tackled health disparities, noting that black Baltimoreans are diagnosed with heart disease, stroke and diabetes at higher rates than white residents.
Michelle A. Gourdine, former deputy secretary for public health services for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, noted that black male life expectancy is seven years less than that of white men.
And while 11,519 black Baltimoreans are living with HIV/AIDS, the figure for whites is just 1,302, she said.
Although the figures were not new to many participants, Gourdine offered a few reasons for the stark disparities: stress, poverty and a lack of health knowledge.
"We must arm individuals with knowledge and take it upon ourselves to understand these health issues," she said. "Our health care system must also become more sensible and knowledgeable of our community."
Alma Roberts, president and CEO of Healthy Start, a public health advocacy organization, called infant mortality rates in Baltimore and the nation "an American shame."
While Maryland's overall infant mortality rate was 7.9 per 1000 births in 2006, Baltimore's was 12.4, and the rate for black infants in Baltimore was 14.8, Roberts said.
"I offer a pledge to you - to support women of childbearing age and help them overcome their struggles," she said.
In highlighting economic issues, one essay warns of the ripple effects of the foreclosure crisis, saying abandoned homes may lead to increased crime. Black churches could become leaders in their communities by educating parishioners about where to get help if they can't make their payments and by offering financial education, the essay states.
