Justified Anger Coalition will address disparities, offer solutions, organizers say

May 22--A new coalition will analyze and seek solutions to racial disparities in Madison after receiving donations of nearly $100,000 from local foundations and individuals.

The Justified Anger Coalition -- which takes its name from a December essay by the Rev. Alex Gee in The Capital Times about his experiences with racism and discrimination in Madison -- will work to empower black families and "create a greater Madison," organizers said Wednesday.

Gee said the coalition will focus on five areas to reduce disparities, including: raising the number of black students who graduate from high school ready for college and careers; creating more opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in black communities; and reducing rates of incarceration and recidivism.

The coalition will listen to residents to learn more about where gaps in services exist and how to fix them, Gee said.

The coalition is part of the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, a non-profit organization Gee founded.

Mayor Paul Soglin and a host of local leaders, including Michael Johnson, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, and Noble Wray, interim president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison, joined Gee in announcing the

coalition.

The coalition has started a website, justifiedanger.ideascale.com, as a forum for working toward solutions.

Gee said he hoped the site will build on conversations sparked by the Race to Equity report, the 2013 study that outlined severe racial disparities in Dane County.

"We know the problems -- we've been talking about them since that report came out," Gee said. "Now: What are the solutions?"

After listening to ideas, the coalition is expected to return this fall with proposals and plans to reduce disparities, Gee said.

The coalition also plans to issue an annual scorecard for local businesses, schools and organizations, he said, to make sure they're moving toward a more equitable future.

Too often, Gee said, organizations and leaders give each other credit for talking about discrimination and disparities without making any progress.

The scorecard will be a measure of accountability, he said, "So these aren't just sound bites."

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