The World Food Prize Foundation

One Economy: Data Demands Action!

OVERVIEW
Organizers  |  One Economy - The Directors Council
Subjects Covered  |  Data-Driven Reporting
Target Audience  |  Nonprofit, public, and private sector leaders


SUMMARY
This session provides relevant data on racial disparities impacting African American and people of African descent in the Polk County area. The focus is on using data to identify key areas of impact and to create community based strategies to eliminate or reduce the disparities. Participants will discuss and learn how these approaches apply in their own work.


ACTION ITEMS
Participants will have understanding of the work underway so they might join in or identify their own focus that will make progress toward eliminating racial disparities in this population. The One Economy website will offer additional information to serve as a means to further engage in a broader community focus in the many areas in which work can be undertaken. 


ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
One Economy - The Directors Council
One Economy - TDC has two primary objectives. The first is to provide support to our fellow members and their organizations through collective grant applications, technical support and peer guidance. The second is to pool our resources to create efficient and effective social service programs that are lacking in our community. Our collective commitment to positively affect the lives of members of our community has given us the strength to begin the planning and implementation of several exciting new programs.


RESOURCES
The One Economy Report works to eliminate racial, economic, and other disparities in the African American community by directly addressing 5 key areas: Employment, Financial Inclusion, Education, Housing, and Health. Read the 2020 Blueprint for Action Executive Summary for a brief description of that status of racial disparities in Polk County. Read the full report here


Teree Caldwell-Johnson
CEO, Oakridge Neighborhood and Oakridge Neighborhood Services

Teree Caldwell-Johnson has spent her entire career in public service. A  native of Salina, Kansas, Teree has a B.A. in English from Spelman  College in Atlanta, Georgia and an M.P.A. from the University of Kansas.

Appointed CEO for Oakridge Neighborhood and Oakridge Neighborhood  Services in 2004 , Teree also served as Polk County Manager from 1996- 2003 and Executive Director of Metro Waste Authority from 1988-1996.  

Teree was elected to the Des Moines School Board in 2006 and re-elected  to second, third and fourth terms in 2009, 2013 and 2017. She serves on  the following boards: National Civic League, Community Foundation of  Greater Des Moines, Capital Crossroads, OpportUNITY, Polk County  Housing Trust Fund, Planned Parenthood of North Central States, Des  Moines Public Schools Foundation and The Directors’ Council.

Teree is the recipient of numerous awards including the Faith and  Community Leadership Award, in 2018, A Arthur Davis Distinguished  Community Leadership Award in 2017, President’s MLK Drum Major for  Service Lifetime Volunteer Award, 2014, Iowa African American Museum’s  2010 History Maker, Business Publications 2002 Women of Influence,  Black Ministerial Alliance 2002 Leadership Award, Business Record Best  Female Business Leader, 2001 and the YWCA 1999 Women of  Achievement.

Married to Vernon C. Johnson, a retired non-profit executive, they have two  adult children, Baley and Baxtyr.
 

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