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

Black America at 250: What’s Next for Economic and Political Mobility? Past Event

Black America at 250: What’s Next for Economic and Political Mobility?

As part of an annual series presented in partnership by the Center for American Progress, the National Partnership for Women & Families, and the Aspen Institute, this year’s event focused on the Black community’s progress in the 250 years since the nation’s founding and how much the Black community stands to lose, offering a proactive vision for the future.

Harbor View Hotel, Menemsha Room

Trump Administration Green Card Memo Is Another Attack on Legal Immigration That Risks Separating Families and Harming the Economy Report

Trump Administration Green Card Memo Is Another Attack on Legal Immigration That Risks Separating Families and Harming the Economy

The Trump administration’s green card memo may force immigrants who are already in the United States to return to their home countries to apply for permanent residency, potentially separating them from their families and jobs for long periods.

Ben Greenho

The Cruelty and Recklessness Must End: We Need Better Immigration Policies for a Stronger America Past Event
People embrace as they pay their respects during a candlelight vigil for a Mexican immigrant who was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, July 8, 2026, in Houston. (Getty/Brandon Bell)

The Cruelty and Recklessness Must End: We Need Better Immigration Policies for a Stronger America

Please join the Center for American Progress and America’s Voice to hear from Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and a panel of experts on the Trump administration’s cruel and reckless anti-immigration and mass deportation agenda as well as the urgent need for accountability and commonsense policies that are consistent with our values and economic needs.

Center for American Progress & Online - 1333 H St. NW Washington DC 20005

‘Take Me Home’: A Reel Progress Screening Past Event
Film poster for

‘Take Me Home’: A Reel Progress Screening

Join the Center for American Progress for the Washington, D.C., prerelease screening of “Take Me Home.”

Center for American Progress

Here’s How to Actually Secure the Border In the News

Here’s How to Actually Secure the Border

In an op-ed for InsideSources, Debu Gandhi outlines what real immigration reform could look like for the country's broken asylum system.

InsideSources

Debu Gandhi

Mapping Disabled Americans’ Access to Democracy Interactive

Mapping Disabled Americans’ Access to Democracy

CAP’s Accessible Democracy Tracker identifies barriers to accessible voting across U.S. states as well as opportunities to strengthen election accessibility for disabled Americans.

Casey Doherty, Mia Ives-Rublee

Public Health Is About to Get Sicker In the News

Public Health Is About to Get Sicker

In an op-ed for The Contrarian, Mariam Rashid argues that a federal rule stripping nursing, public health, and social work degrees of their “professional” status effectively guts America’s disease defense systems.

The Contrarian

Mariam Rashid, Dr. Perry N. Halikitis

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