SELECTED RESULTS FROM THE MINORITY EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE SURVEY Kayla Jackson National Network for Youth Exploring Racism’s Impact on Youth Homelessness in America National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference Washington, DC July 9, 2007

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 2 SURVEY BACKGROUND Conducted in June and July 2005 Survey was sent to 109 execs 69 execs completed the survey for a 60% response rate Surveys were mailed with a cover letter and then follow-up calls were made to all those who had not returned a survey

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 3 A SNAPSHOT OF RHY EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 56% of respondents were female 81% of respondents were White 57% of respondents were between 51 and 60 years of age 100% of respondents had at least a BA/BS with 59% having a MS/MSW

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 4 E.D. SNAPSHOT cont. 58% reported never holding an ED position prior to their current job Fewer than 50% reported working in their agencies prior to becoming the E.D. 30% reported serving as an interim ED before becoming a permanent ED

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 5 SNAPSHOT OF RHY AGENCIES 29% report full-time staff of % report full-time staff of % report between 0-5 Black staff 39.1% have annual budgets of between $1,000,000 and $4,999,999

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 6 EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS: RACE AND AGE The majority of Black EDs are between 41 and 50 (50%) The majority of White EDs are between 51 and 60 (59.6%) There are no Black EDs in the or 61 and over age categories

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 7 EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS: YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION 83.3% of Black EDs have been in their current position less than 5 years 47.4% of White EDs have been in their current position for more than 10 years

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 8 WHAT DOES IT MEAN? There is low attrition in the ED position in RHY organizations Blacks have only recently been employed as EDs

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 9 PRIOR EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION 66.7% of Blacks worked in their organizations prior to becoming ED 40.4% of Whites worked in their organization prior to becoming ED 33.3% of Black EDs have a doctorate as compared to 10.5% of White EDs

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 10 WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Blacks need a higher level of education AND experience in the organization to become ED.

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 11 OTHER STAFF Staffing becomes more diverse at the Program Director level: - 23% of agencies have a Black Program Director - 9% have a Latino/a Program Director - 3% have a Native American Program Director

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 12 DIRECT SERVICE STAFF NOT REFLECTIVE Only 12% of agencies report a TLP Director of Color Only 18% of agencies report a Director of Outreach of color 14% of Basic Center Directors are of color

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 13 WHAT DOES IT MEAN? RHY agency staffing is not reflective of the diverse population of youth being served Staff of color are clustered in lower level positions in agencies

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 14 IMPACT ON YOUTH OF COLOR RHY who are also youth of color need to see themselves in the staffing of service providers for numerous reasons: –Perceived understanding from some one of same culture –“Speak” the same language and have common or similar experiences –The perception of “If they can do it, I can, too.”

Results from the 2005 National Network for Youth MELI Survey 15 RECOMMENDATIONS Youth of color are over-represented in RHY programs and staff at all levels of the agency should reflect this. Current staff need mentoring and grooming for higher-level management positions.