Expectations Of : African American Managers By Daphne Harley, MPA PPA 530

Basic Premise Cultural background, Diversity Management perspective influences public policy decisions and solutions Cultural background, Diversity Management perspective influences public policy decisions and solutions High Performance Expectations for African-American public managers High Performance Expectations for African-American public managers Sources: Sources: Community at large, and Community at large, and own race own race

CHANGE ! 1990 – African Americans were the largest minority group in the U.S. (12% of pop) 1990 – African Americans were the largest minority group in the U.S. (12% of pop) 2000 – Hispanic population are now the largest minority group in U.S. ( ? %) 2000 – Hispanic population are now the largest minority group in U.S. ( ? %)

2000 Population Statistics 3/5 of all who reported as Black, lives in the following 10 states: 3/5 of all who reported as Black, lives in the following 10 states: NY, CA, TX, FL, GA, NY, CA, TX, FL, GA, IL, NC, MD, MI, LA IL, NC, MD, MI, LA Black population concentrated in counties in the South Black population concentrated in counties in the South

Cities with largest Black populations are: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philly, Phoenix, San Diego, Dallas, San Antonio and Detroit. Cities with largest Black populations are: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philly, Phoenix, San Diego, Dallas, San Antonio and Detroit. 51% of Blacks live in Metro central cities 51% of Blacks live in Metro central cities

Data shows more and more minorities are residing in inner-cities, Data shows more and more minorities are residing in inner-cities, As under-represented groups increase in size, their demand on urban government also increases As under-represented groups increase in size, their demand on urban government also increases As pop grows to 10%, a political agenda is formed As pop grows to 10%, a political agenda is formed HOWEVER, when pop reaches 15%, political agenda is EXERCISED HOWEVER, when pop reaches 15%, political agenda is EXERCISED

Responsibilities of African-American Bureaucrats Creates the Hope Index Creates the Hope Index Expected to operationalize the concept of Representative Bureaucracy Expected to operationalize the concept of Representative Bureaucracy Not enough to increase employment of minorities in government, Not enough to increase employment of minorities in government, Also expected that you be involved, lend your face, your perceived power to the minority community in meaningful ways. Also expected that you be involved, lend your face, your perceived power to the minority community in meaningful ways.

How Minorities in Public Service are Viewed External expectations don’t always coincide with personal views, goals etc External expectations don’t always coincide with personal views, goals etc Majority pop often puts minority out front on minority community issues, without authority to make meaningful decisions Majority pop often puts minority out front on minority community issues, without authority to make meaningful decisions Stereotypical views limit the positions they hold and their compensation Stereotypical views limit the positions they hold and their compensation

Views - Continued Minority community expects more than he/she can provide Minority community expects more than he/she can provide Agencies seek “Super Minority” Agencies seek “Super Minority” Often used as “Show Pieces” Often used as “Show Pieces” Expected to have unyielding focus on Equal Opportunity for constituents Expected to have unyielding focus on Equal Opportunity for constituents

Key Skills for Minority Administrators Be Effective in Conflict Situations Be Effective in Conflict Situations Familiar with Group dynamics Familiar with Group dynamics Empathy for the citizens and their issues Empathy for the citizens and their issues Effective in dynamic situations where no clear-cut solutions exist Effective in dynamic situations where no clear-cut solutions exist Able to assume responsibility for all that goes along with making political decisions Able to assume responsibility for all that goes along with making political decisions

Discussion ? Bureaucracies are primarily concerned with promoting cost effectiveness and efficiency. Bureaucracies are primarily concerned with promoting cost effectiveness and efficiency. Constituents are primarily focused on fairness and equity. Constituents are primarily focused on fairness and equity. Are these in conflict? Explain Are these in conflict? Explain