REPORT SUMMARY - In 2020, Black children represented approximately 23% of the overall

REPORT SUMMARY Throughout America’s history, youth of color • In 2020, Black children represented have been traumatized by racial violence approximately 23% of the overall and dehumanized by a society that often youth population in North Carolina, views their presence as a threat to public but represented 56% of all juvenile safety. [...] • Black youth represented 67% of youth Disparities for Black, Latine, and Indigenous in North Carolina placed in short- youth exist at almost every stage of and long- term confinement in 2020, the juvenile criminal legal process in while white youth represented only North Carolina, and the disparities 18% of short-term (detention center) are most stark for Black youth. [...] predicated on targeting people of color • National data show that Black students of all ages and excluding children of color are the most overdisciplined demographic from protective narratives and structures. [...] Of the total despite representing only 25% of $174 million, our state spent almost $50 statewide student enrollment; white million on court services and close to $40 students represented 35% of all million to detain and incarcerate youth.7 school-based “complaints” despite representing 46% of statewide enrollment.3 For the cost of incarcerating one youth for • At the district level, Black children. [...] By realigning public spending a divest/invest framework, which brings with community priorities and investing attention to the choices that resource a in youth supports, preventative resources misguided and racist system, and we call and community-led alternatives to youth for a reinvestment in community-led criminalization, we can prioritize and alternatives that support and nourish support the h.