Speaker: Jobs, not welfare, empower us

By Elise Franco

Minorities can no longer rely on social programs, says the president of the Chicago Urban League.

NILES — The Mahoning Valley will heal, said Cheryle Jackson, president of the Chicago Urban League.

Jackson, who is campaigning for the Illinois seat in the United States Senate, was the keynote speaker at the 79th annual Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League dinner Thursday night at McMenamy’s Banquet Center in Niles.

She said her speech was designed to discuss how similar the Youngstown-Warren area is to many other cities, even large ones such as Chicago.

“It’s funny how when we’re facing the worst economic downturn in a generation, we hear the stories, and they are the same stories that are common to all of us,” she said. “Broke is broke. And I come here and hear the same challenges.”

Jackson said the Chicago Urban League has been at the forefront of facing those challenges, and the Youngstown- Warren chapter is moving onto the same track.

“In all of these places, it’s not just one problem,” she said. “It’s not just job loss isolated. ... It’s the overlaying of multiple problems all at once that makes this so daunting and dangerous.”

In order to begin the healing process, though, Jackson said changes must be made.

“The minority constituents can no longer rely on social programs,” she said. “We’ve shifted focus away from that to economic development and empowerment.”

Jackson said relying on social-service programs such as welfare and unemployment only maintains those people within the problem.

“There’s nothing more empowering than a good job,” she said.

But those types of changes don’t just happen, she said, adding that a plan must be put into place.

“There’s a need for courage and a game plan to execute to make those dreams real,” she said.

Tom Conley, president and CEO of the Warren-Youngstown chapter, said he asked Jackson to give the keynote speech because she so easily identifies with this area.

“Some things are just divine,” he said. “For her to have the courage to take a jump into the United States Senate really is a remarkable task.”

Conley said it will take partnership and hard effort to pull the Valley out of its current ways, and Jackson was willing to share her ideas about how to do that.

“We’re only as strong as our weakest link,” he said. “We can partner with corporate America ... to economically thrust our area out of the depression we’re facing.”

Jackson said she was happy to accept Conley’s invitation to speak at Thursday’s event.

“I support any affiliate willing to refocus efforts and take the bold move with me,” she said.

In order to get a feel for the area, Jackson said she spent her morning and afternoon in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

She said she visited the Trumbull County Life Skills Center in Warren and Charlie Staples in Youngstown, to name two places of note.

“People here are so warm and genuine and received me so well,” she said. “It was great to hear about not just the challenges, but the ideas you have and the willingness to step up to the plate and not wait on Washington to tackle problems.”

efranco@vindy.com