Overview of the Collection
Austin History Center, Austin Public Library,
810 Guadalupe, PO BOX 2287, Austin, TX 78768
African American Quality of Life Project
African American Quality of Life Project Records
2005
.2 linear feet (1 box)
The African American Quality of Life Project was established in 2005 by the City of Austin in an effort to address concerns that the City's African American citizens were experiencing a different quality of life than the rest of the Austin population. The collection consists of documents related to the committee and include meeting agendas, implementation team lists, memorandum, presentation materials, a draft of the report to City Council and City Council transcripts all dating from 2005.
AR.2005.026
Archives stacks
The records are in English.
Administrative History
The African American Quality of Life Project began as the City of Austin assessed the conditions and sentiment of the City’s African American community through a series of community discussions and presentations to City Council. The initiative was undertaken in an effort to successfully resolve issues affecting African Americans after a series of controversial incidents. In March of 2005 Toby Futrell, Austin City Manager, sent a memo to the Mayor and City Council expressing concern that while Austin was receiving national accolades as one of the best places to live a different sentiment was growing in the City's African American community. Futrell initiated a study to answer two questions:
- Is the quality of life in Austin for African Americans different than that of other Austinites?
- Is the quality of life in Austin markedly different for African Americans than the quality of life African Americans experience in other cities?
The study,
African American Quality of Life Scorecard, confirmed that African Americans trailed other ethnic groups in many socioeconomic areas. In response to the finding the City hired an outside consulting firm, Group Solution, to conduct a series of forums to gather feedback for the creation of recommendations on "What the City of Austin could do to improve the Quality of Life of African Americans." From these discussions, called Quality of Life Forums, recomendations on how to improve the African American quality of life experience in Austin were developed and presented to the Austin City Council on May 26, 2005.
After the presentation the Austin City Council agreed that community leaders should have opportunity to review the recommendations which resulted in the adoption of the Group Solution's recommendations and supplemental recommendations. On October 27, 2005, city staff working with community leaders, held a public presentation of these recommendations which included 56 initiatives to be implemented by the African American Quality of Life Committee. The initiatives addressed six categories:
- Arts, Culture and Entertainment
- Business and Economic Development
- Employment and Education
- Health
- Neighborhood Sustainability
- Police and Safety
It was determined at the October 2005 presentation that the African American Quality of Life Committee would provide an annual update to Council and the African American Community on the measures taken to complete the initiatives.
Source: adapted from the
African American Quality of Life Final Report: Addressing Community Needs Together. April 2008.
Scope and Contents
The African American Quality of Life Project records consists mainly of documents related to the committee and include meeting agendas, implementation team lists, memorandum, presentation materials, a draft of the report to City Council and city council transcripts all dating from 2005.
Arrangement
Arranged by material type.
Related Material
General Collection
A 305.8960764 AU
African American Quality of Life: Final Report: Addressing Community Needs Together.
A VHS 305.8960764 AF
The African American Quality of Life. 1, Students and Others [videorecording]
A VHS 305.8960764 AF
The African American Quality of Life. 2, Corporate Citizens [videorecording]
A VHS 305.8960764 AF
The African American Quality of Life. 3, Community Leaders [videorecording]
A VHS 305.8960764 AF
The African American Quality of Life. 4, Professionals [videorecording]
A VHS 305.8960764 AF
The African American Quality of Life. 5, Native Austinites [videorecording]
A VHS 305.8960764 AF
The African American Quality of Life. 6, Entrepreneurs and Artists [videorecording]
Austin Files
AF Subject - African Americans-Quality of Life A1300(5
Index Terms
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Persons:
Futrell, Toby.
Organizations:
African American Quality of Life Project Committee.
Places:
Austin (Tex.)
Subjects:
African Americans--Texas--Austin--Social conditions--21st century.
African Americans--Texas--Austin--Economic conditions--21st century.
Quality of life--Texas--Austin.
Restrictions on Access
Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use
None.
Custodial History
Donated by a member of the committee.
Preferred Citation
African American Quality of Life Project Records (AR.2005.026). Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Texas.
Acquisition Information
Donor #: DO/2005/065
Donation Date: 2005
Processing Information
Finding aid created and encoded by Molly Hults/2010.
Detailed Description of the Collection
African American Quality of Life Project Records,
2005
1
1
Meeting minutes and member lists,
2005
1
2
City Council May 26 presentation,
2005
1
3
Other presentation and recommendation materials,
2005