City Council Leadership Statement re: United States Supreme Court’s June 29th Affirmative Action Decision

Jun 29, 2023

Cleveland, OH (June 29, 2023) - Cleveland City Council’s leadership team consists of Council President Blaine A. Griffin (Ward 6), Majority Leader Kerry McCormack (Ward 3), and Majority Whip Jasmin Santana (Ward 14). The leadership team issued the statement below about the United States Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action decision.

“Cleveland City Council believes our city and our nation’s diversity is a strength and an asset. Our members strive to enact policies and legislation that positively impacts all Clevelanders. Our leadership team is troubled by today’s Supreme Court ruling which struck down race-based admissions in higher education. Their ruling demonstrates we have more work to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our lives. 

We are fortunate to call America home, but in order to continue improving our country, we must identify and act to address her challenges, such as systemic racism and its lasting impacts. All Americans benefit when we level the playing field. 

Our Cleveland City Council is committed to striving for and protecting diversity, equity, and inclusion. We changed the title of our Finance Committee to Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to reflect our intentionality in reviewing every piece of legislation introduced and reviewed by us through a DEI lens.

There are still people who still want to marginalize people of color. This only hurts ALL Americans - not just people of color. 

Despite today’s Supreme Court ruling, we remain committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion - and to doing the work for the people of the City of Cleveland.” 

###