On Monday, consultant Jim Crupi returns to Richmond and judging from the tone of the article in the latest issue of Style Weekly, he's going to face a tough audience. That's probably fine for several reasons, but I'm anticipating a bit of a train wreck when Crupi stands in front of a curious crowd and delivers an update on his 1992 report, "Richmond at the Crossroads." [You can find the 1992 report helpfully posted in its entirety at Save Richmond.] That report landed on Richmond with a dull thud, even though many of its observations were on-point. As Style notes this week, Crupi's assessment of Richmond's black leadership didn't win him any friends:
Many people, however, couldn’t get past Crupi’s blunt stereotyping, like this one: “Political control over the city has been transferred to elected black leaders who lack the economic and business skills of their predecessors.”
“That statement indicates a high level of stupidity on his part because he’s lumping black leadership as just one group, without the proper analysis to support his statement,” retired School Board Chairman Melvin Law says. “That view is not different from the view in 1977 by people who did not like the fact that the majority-black City Council was now in control.”
Crupi’s report came at a time when the city was “very divided politically,” says John Moeser, an urban studies professor at the University of Richmond and a longtime observer of city politics.
“It was so un-Richmond,” Moeser recalls. “I daresay it was a very accurate portrait of what business leaders were thinking at the time and were prepared to say in an interview as long as no one is identified.”
It doesn't help that Crupi comes across to many as a know-it-all lacking in humility. Just the sort of person you want delivering tough messages.
The fun thing about "Crupi: The Return of the Jedi" is the consultant's modus operandi is to not share his findings with his clients until he's done -- so, the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce and other movers-and-shakers around town have to wait until Monday to see if the sequel is as uncomfortable as the original.
My bet is that Crupi's report will be as hard-hitting and divisive as the 1992 version (The dude's got so much better material to work with these days!) -- and that Richmond is a little better prepared to hear the tough messages. What I don't know is whether Crupi's report will be meaningful -- one out-of-town consultant who has spoken to Crupi about the report told me that recladding Richmond's Convention Center was part of their conversation. Yawn.
I'm also curious as to what Crupi's 120 interviews with Richmonders say about progress since 1992. A few things I'll be listening for:
- No More Business As Usual: How effective was the 1992 version of a new generation of Richmond business leaders at breaking down old barriers and reengaging the community? Crupi reported in 1992 that the "new leaders ... are connected, but not coordinated. They consist of second generation Richmonders, Fortune 500 executives, and a group of new leaders who are increasingly frustrated with traditional Richmond ways; ways that emphasize political caution and social activity over results. Many believe that the business community has abdicated its responsibility for economic development in order to avoid a political confrontation that might be cast in racial terms ... It is gradually becoming evident to them that Richmond can not conduct business as usual." What's the story, morning glory?
- Where's the Power Center? Those of us who've been around Richmond for a while continue to make the mistake of talking about Richmond as the center of the hub. Maybe, maybe not. In 1992, Crupi pointed out that "the city is no longer the dominant political and economic force in the region. The counties of Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover (predominately white) are now the new centers of economic prosperity and have not forgotten the city’s attempts to subjugate them through annexation and school consolidation. While Richmond suffers from high crime, poor public schools, and high fiscal stress, the surrounding counties enjoy low crime, excellent public schools, and relatively low fiscal stress." Henrico and Richmond have far more in common today, while Chesterfield and Hanover continue to outpace the region in many key areas. Has power and influence finally south of the James River?
- There's No Status In Being Status Quo: "Richmond has rarely felt that it had to aspire to be something better," Crupi reported in 1992. Ouch. I hope there's been some progress in this area -- "There is no agreement among business leaders on whether Richmond wants or even needs to change. Uncertainty exists."
There's plenty more in the 1992 report, and I'll be taking a look at both reports next week. In the meantime, get a ringside seat to the pre-Thanksgiving political game. You can register online at the Chamber's website, or show up at 3:30 to register in person:
DATE: November 19, 2007
TIME: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: VCU-Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad Street > directions
Complimentary parking available at VCU-Siegel Center Parking Deck at the corner of Broad & Harrison streets.
