The Influence of Race in American Policy

This collection provides a sampling of Progress 2050’s racial justice work and a meaningful starting point to understanding how race affects everything we do.

In this series

America’s Sordid Legacy on Race and Disaster Recovery
A mother holds her baby as her husband works to reconstruct their home destroyed by Hurricane Maria in San Isidro, Puerto Rico, on December 23, 2017. (Mario Tama/Getty)
Article

America’s Sordid Legacy on Race and Disaster Recovery

The United States has a failing record on responsiveness to communities of color following natural disasters—a record that has only worsened under the Trump administration.

Connor Maxwell

Systematic Inequality
Report

Systematic Inequality

The already large racial wealth gap between white and black American households grew even wider after the Great Recession. Targeted policies are necessary to reverse this deepening divide.

Angela Hanks, Danyelle Solomon, Christian E. Weller

‘We Are Resilient’: The Power of the Black Community
Video

‘We Are Resilient’: The Power of the Black Community

In the face of Donald Trump's rhetoric and policy choices that threaten people of color, the black community remains resilient.

Jasmine Hardy, Andrew Satter, Danyelle Solomon, 2 More Lea Hunter, Connor Maxwell

The Power and Persistence of Black Legislators
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus   meet with President Donald Trump in the White House in Washington, March 22, 2017. (AP/Andrew Harnik)
Article

The Power and Persistence of Black Legislators

Even amid violent threats and intimidation, black legislators have achieved historic gains toward equality and provided hope for all Americans.

Connor Maxwell, Danyelle Solomon

Leveraging the Power of Black Women
Two women embrace former President Barack Obama at the University of North Carolina, November 2, 2016. (AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Article

Leveraging the Power of Black Women

Recognizing and reconciling individual biases, as well as conducting meaningful conversations about empowering black women and leveraging that power, will ensure that the United States is fairer and more prosperous for all.

Jocelyn Frye, Michele L. Jawando

Suppression: A Common Thread in American Democracy
A statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee is removed from Lee Circle Friday, May 2017. (AP/Scott Threlkeld)
Article

Suppression: A Common Thread in American Democracy

Mayor Landrieu speaks honestly about the consequences of ignoring race in our nation’s history as he removes Confederate monuments in New Orleans.

Danyelle Solomon

Communities of Color Cannot Afford a Weakened CFPB
Shown is an ACE Cash Express outlet on San Mateo Boulevard in Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 2015. (AP/Vik Jolly)
Report

Communities of Color Cannot Afford a Weakened CFPB

The Trump administration and Congress are threatening the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s role in defending communities of color in banking.

Joe Valenti, Danyelle Solomon

Voter Suppression Is Real: Americans Must Remain Vigilant
Voters stand in line at a voting site in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 23, 2008. (AP/Chuck Burton)
Article

Voter Suppression Is Real: Americans Must Remain Vigilant

Policymakers and advocates must remain vigilant against efforts to suppress voters of color from exercising their constitutional right.

Danyelle Solomon, Michele L. Jawando

The Supreme Court Matters for Communities of Color
A view of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, June 27, 2012. (AP/Evan Vucci)
Article

The Supreme Court Matters for Communities of Color

The U.S. Supreme Court affects the everyday lives of people of color, but communities of color can also shape the Court by voting in November.

Michele L. Jawando, Abby Bar-Lev Wiley

Where Are the Gifted and Talented Black Students?
High school students attend a statistics class at Westlake High School in Atlanta, on June 13, 2013. (AP/Jaime Henry-White)
Article

Where Are the Gifted and Talented Black Students?

Social and institutional barriers are keeping African American students from the ranks of gifted and talented programs.

Naomi Kellogg

The Intersection of Policing and Race
A man speaks with police in a park in Milwaukee, August 2016. (AP/ Jeffrey Phelps)
Report

The Intersection of Policing and Race

Bridging the divide between communities of color and law enforcement begins by recognizing that discord is rooted in the origins of policing in America.

Danyelle Solomon