The median income for white residents in the Cleveland area is more than twice that of Black residents. White workers are disproportionately represented in higher-wage occupations, while Black worker are disproportionately represented in lower-wage jobs. Some Northeast Ohio companies are taking steps to close the gaps.
Although many American companies are embracing racial inclusion as a business imperative, there’s still a long way to go to advance equity in the Northeast Ohio region, said Brian Hall, former senior V.P. of equity and inclusion at the Greater Cleveland Partnership. But convincing employers to invest in cultivating a diverse workforce has sometimes been a tough sell.