The Worst City for Black Women
In 2020, Bloomberg City Lab ranked Cleveland as the worst livable city for Black Women.Founders Chinenye Nkemere and Bethany Studenic of Enlightened Solutions decided to spring into action. The firm centers the lived experiences of diverse people in the research, advocacy, and solutions they provide to cultivate change in systems like corporations, hospitals, and nonprofits.
Project Noir 2020
Their response to this disheartening news was their brainchild, Project Noir, a survey distributed to Black Women in Cleveland to understand their experiences. Community Solutions and other community organizations were asked to partner with Enlightened Solutions on research.The purpose of Project Noir 2020 was to find answers to two important questions that had been left unresolved:
- As a Black Woman, what is it like to live in a city that experts agree is the worst place for you?
- How can individuals and anchor institutions create tangible solutions?
The survey focused on three major areas in which Black Women face inequality: workplaces, healthcare, and education. Enlightened Solutions has since published a report outlining the lived experiences of 450 Black Women in Cleveland in these areas.
Project Noir 2024: Another Chance for Black Women
Now, Enlightened Solutions has launched Project Noir 2024 to see if anything has changed since 2020, but with an even bigger goal—reaching 1,000 Black Women aged 18 and older in Northeast Ohio.
If you are a Black Woman in Northeast Ohio, you can take the Project Noir 2024 survey until April 30.
The survey is completely anonymous. If you are a Black Woman in Northeast Ohio, you can take the Project Noir 2024 survey until April 30. If you know a Black Woman in Northeast Ohio, share the survey link with them. Help Enlightened Solutions reach their goal and allow your voice to be heard on your experiences in the community, and improve Northeast Ohio for Black Women.(***Note: Enlightened Solutions offers assistance to ALL people. If you or someone you know needs help with challenges related to your workplace, healthcare, or education, you can reach out to Enlightened Solutions for advocacy and resources by filling out their Support Form.)