Advancing Racial Equity and Justice

We apply a racial equity lens in developing and advancing policies that aim to root out entrenched systemic racism to ensure everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

People stand before a mural honoring people of peace in a Black district in Philadelphia on September 15, 2013. (Getty/Frédéric Soltan)

What We're Doing

Closing the racial wealth gap and building an equitable economy

Centuries of government policies have systematically deprived communities of color of economic opportunity, leading to a persistent, growing racial wealth gap. CAP develops and advances policies to combat the root causes of the racial wealth gap and promote a more equitable, vibrant economy for all.

Supporting the Equitable and Just National Climate Platform

Long-standing racial and environmental injustices disproportionately expose communities of color to climate pollution. CAP develops and advocates for climate policies that ensure communities of color benefit from the transition to clean energy.

Eliminating racial disparities and strengthening health systems

Structural racism causes inequities in health systems and disparities in health outcomes. It also negatively affects numerous social determinants of health. CAP develops and furthers policies to reduce racial disparities in health and foster more accessible, affordable, and equitable health systems.

Promoting a representative, responsive, and inclusive democracy

Online disinformation and hate; white supremacist violence and rhetoric; and voter subversion and suppression undermine democracy and entrench systemic inequities. CAP develops policies to foster an effective, accountable, and representative democracy to meet the needs and improve the lives of all Americans.

By the numbers

$838K

The absolute dollar wealth gap between Black households and white households

CAP, “Eliminating the Black-White Gap Is a Generational Challenge” (2021).

75%

People of color’s exposure to fine particulate matter emitted by almost every fossil fuel source

Science Advances, “PM2.5 polluters disproportionately and systemically affect people of color in the United States” (2021).

4.1x

Hispanic or Latinos more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19 than their white peers

CDC, “Risk for COVID-19 Infection, Hospitalization, and Death By Race/Ethnicity.”

4,939

Hate crimes in 2020 where a victim was targeted because of their race, ethnicity, or ancestry

FBI, “Hate Crime Statistics.”

Recent work

Latest

Compact View

The Trump Administration’s Recent Special Education Layoffs Will Have Major Long-Term Impacts on Disabled Children and Students Article

The Trump Administration’s Recent Special Education Layoffs Will Have Major Long-Term Impacts on Disabled Children and Students

The Trump administration unlawful layoffs during the federal shutdown, in coordination with its policy changes and budget cuts, are intended to lead to closure of the Department of Education, leaving disabled children and students with fewer services and protections.

Fact Sheet: Expanding the Public Safety Workforce Fact Sheet
Social workers provide a man experiencing homelessness with resources in a local park in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Fact Sheet: Expanding the Public Safety Workforce

Cities across the country are investing in safety by incorporating specially trained professionals such as community responders and community violence intervention professionals into their local public safety workforces.

Allie Preston, Rachael Eisenberg, Kirby Gaherty

Expanding the Public Safety Workforce Report
Three people speaking, with two standing outside van and one sitting inside.

Expanding the Public Safety Workforce

Cities across the country are exploring innovative ways to incorporate new professionals, such as community responders and community violence intervention professionals, into their existing public safety workforces to improve outcomes for communities.

Allie Preston, Rachael Eisenberg, Kirby Gaherty

The Highest Rates of Gun Homicides Are in Rural Counties Fact Sheet
An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle is held in front of a U.S. flag.

The Highest Rates of Gun Homicides Are in Rural Counties

Despite media attention on gun violence in large American cities, new analysis of CDC data shows that rural counties persistently have some of the highest rates of gun violence in the country.

Chandler Hall

Congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act Creates an Unaccountable Slush Fund for the Trump Administration’s Deportation Force Report
ICE officers patrol the halls of an immigration court building.

Congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act Creates an Unaccountable Slush Fund for the Trump Administration’s Deportation Force

The OBBBA pumps $75 billion into ICE with no guardrails, supercharging the Trump administration’s massive, indiscriminate deportation agenda that is operating without accountability and threatening local communities and economies.

Career and Technical Education in Pennsylvania Past Event
A student speaking to Randi Weingarten, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Mayor Cherelle Parker.

Career and Technical Education in Pennsylvania

The Center for American Progress, in collaboration with the American Federation of Teachers, hosted an event to highlight career and technical education programs in the Philadelphia region and discuss policy opportunities to expand these programs elsewhere.

Hope After Harm: Reimagining Victim Compensation Past Event

Hope After Harm: Reimagining Victim Compensation

Join the Center for American Progress for an event discussing CAP and Common Justice’s partnered launch of the “State Victim Compensation Statute Rubric.”

Center for American Progress Online

Executive Summary: Hope After Harm Article
Police officers are seen behind a yellow line of caution tape on a street with cars parked on either side.

Executive Summary: Hope After Harm

A state-by-state analysis of victim compensation statutes reveals tremendous potential for states to better meet the needs of survivors of violence and to ultimately break cycles of harm.

Resumen ejecutivo: Esperanza después del daño Artículo
Police officers are seen behind a yellow line of caution tape on a street with cars parked on either side.

Resumen ejecutivo: Esperanza después del daño

Un análisis estado por estado de las leyes de compensación para las víctimas revela un tremendo potencial para que los estados satisfagan mejor las necesidades de los sobrevivientes de la violencia y, en última instancia, rompan los ciclos de daño.

Fighting for the American Dream Past Event

Fighting for the American Dream

Creating and safeguarding an inclusive economy for the Black middle class.

Edgartown, MA

Trump’s Agenda Is a Direct Threat to the Black Middle Class Article
The owner of a book store poses for a portrait.

Trump’s Agenda Is a Direct Threat to the Black Middle Class

Donald Trump returned to the presidency promising a policy agenda that would help the Black middle class succeed. However, his choices in office and his attacks on diversity and equal opportunity have represented a direct assault on their ability to maintain economic stability.

The Trump Administration’s War on Disability Report
U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order.

The Trump Administration’s War on Disability

Executive actions, budget cuts, layoffs, and legislation—all enacted in the Trump administration’s first six months—have curtailed disability rights and services, including access to Medicaid and the right to free, appropriate public education.

The State of Disabled LGBTQI+ People in 2024 Report
A woman in a wheelchair goes down during NYC Pride March.

The State of Disabled LGBTQI+ People in 2024

New LGBTQI+ Community Survey data from the Center for American Progress and NORC show that disabled LGBTQI+ people experience higher rates of discrimination in public services, education, employment, housing, and health care than their nondisabled LGBTQI+ and disabled non-LGBTQI+ peers.

Hoja informativa: Un marco de inmigración que garantizará el orden en la frontera, mantendrá seguros a los estadounidenses, aumentará el crecimiento económico y nos fortalecerá Hoja informativa

Hoja informativa: Un marco de inmigración que garantizará el orden en la frontera, mantendrá seguros a los estadounidenses, aumentará el crecimiento económico y nos fortalecerá

Estas reformas ofrecen una estrategia ordenada y eficaz que protege a las comunidades estadounidenses y defiende los valores de la nación, a la vez que satisface las necesidades económicas del país.

Neera Tanden, Debu Gandhi

Fact Sheet: An Immigration Framework That Would Ensure Order at the Border, Keep Americans Safe, Increase Economic Growth, and Make Us Stronger Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet: An Immigration Framework That Would Ensure Order at the Border, Keep Americans Safe, Increase Economic Growth, and Make Us Stronger

These reforms offer an orderly and effective approach that protects American communities and upholds American values while meeting the nation’s economic needs.

Neera Tanden, Debu Gandhi

The Truth About the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Cuts to Medicaid and Medicare Article
A sign that reads “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is seen by a desk.

The Truth About the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Cuts to Medicaid and Medicare

The Center for American Progress and The Arc break down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, exposing how its deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare will lead to benefit losses, increased paperwork requirements, and rural hospital closures that will hurt Americans—especially people with disabilities.

‘Life After’: A Reel Progress Screening Past Event
An image of a Gregory Dugan on his knees at a Not Dead Yet protest. A pink banner is held behind him that reads

‘Life After’: A Reel Progress Screening

Join CAP and DC/DOX for the Washington, D.C. premiere of "Life After," an investigative documentary that exposes the tangled web of moral dilemmas and profit motives surrounding assisted dying.

Center for American Progress

Medicaid made my brother’s final weeks more peaceful Article

Medicaid made my brother’s final weeks more peaceful

In an op-ed published by NC Newsline, Mia Ives-Rublee describes her family’s experience with Medicaid, which helped provide critical care for her brother during his final months.

NC Newsline

Mia Ives-Rublee

Effective Public Safety Messaging Strategies for Local Leaders Past Event

Effective Public Safety Messaging Strategies for Local Leaders

Join the Center for American Progress for an event with public safety and communications leaders about effective messaging on public safety and challenges in communicating crime data to the public.

Center for American Progress | Online

Effective Public Safety Messaging Strategies for Local Leaders Convening Past Event

Effective Public Safety Messaging Strategies for Local Leaders Convening

Join the Center for American Progress for an event with public safety and communications leaders about effective messaging on public safety and challenges in communicating crime data to the public.

Center for American Progress | Online

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