Let’s Get Focused!

Aisha Arrington, MSOL President and CEO The Fort Wayne Urban League

“Poverty is not created by poor people. It is produced by our failure to create institutions to support human capabilities.” – Muhammad Yunus

Zuri is a typical eleven-year-old. She loves wearing her hair in long braids, her favorite color is purple, and when she’s doing good in school, her mom takes her to a local nail salon where she can pick any polish color for a manicure. The day after, she’ll come to tutoring flashing all ten sparkly fingers. After school staff look forward to Zuri coming in so that they can get caught up on all the 6th grade gossip and learn a new dance move that only Zuri can teach with both patience and confidence. However, one day there were no new sparkly nails or dance moves but instead: a very serious question. In between bites of cheese pizza, Zuri asked, “Is it true that I am probably going to prison one day?”

Apparently, Zuri had watched a news special with her mom and picked up on the topic of the school to prison pipeline. On her TV screen she saw kids that looked like her, couldn’t read like her, and lived in neighborhoods that looked like the outside of her front door. Putting two and two together, she placed herself right in the middle of all the trouble and feared a prison reality. This bright talented kid who has so much to offer the world is worried about prison. Let that sink in.

What staff wouldn’t share with Zuri is the dismal data reports that surround the 46803 community. Not only does the area have some of the lowest high school graduation rates, 37.8% of people in this neighborhood live below the poverty level. What’s even more concerning, especially when looking at workforce needs, is that only 6.9% of the population have attained a bachelor’s degree. Where are all the future teachers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, architects, or even biologists going to come from? If things stay the same, those jobs will not be filled by those living in the poorest zip code in the county. While there will always be jobs that require a high school diploma or less; those jobs often do not pay well enough for economic mobility. Meaning the working poor will stay poor.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 10.4% growth in STEM jobs between 2023 and 2033. That’s really promising, especially considering that STEM jobs generally offer higher median salaries compared to non-STEM jobs. For example, the median annual wage for all STEM occupations is $101,650, compared to $46,680 for non-STEM jobs. These jobs will require higher education. A report from the Center of Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University estimates that by 2031, 72% of jobs in the US will require postsecondary education and training.

There is no way around it. We must create pathways that support human capabilities and economic mobility for all people – no matter where they live. If our kids living in the 46803 are the workforce of tomorrow; they must graduate high school and pursue postsecondary education.

Fort Wayne Urban League is doing our part by offering after school tutoring, homework help, and a STEAM camp/Summer Learning Lab in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club. The summer learning lab offers three hours of enrichment each day. Critical skills gained in math and reading during this five-week program can make all the difference for future academic success.

Zuri’s voice quivered a little when she asked the question. Miss Mary put her arm around Zuri and said, ‘Now, girl you know you are too smart to ever go to prison. Plus, I’m counting on you to open your nail salon so I can keep my nails done.” Consoled by the answer, Zuri nodded her head and took another bite of pizza but said, “Yeah, but I’m charging you full price. I got to make my money.”

Zuri calls the 46803-neighborhood home and like most eleven-year-olds, her career goals change daily. Let’s focus on developing her academic skills so she can graduate. Our workforce will need her.