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Rights and Justice

Racial Equity and Justice

We promote systemic reforms to dismantle structural racial injustices, give everyone an equal opportunity to thrive, and ensure society benefits from our nation’s diversity.

A mural honoring people of peace is seen, realized in a Black district of Philadelphia as part of the "Mural Art Program" that began in 1984. (Getty/Frédéric Soltan/Corbis)

What We're Doing

Promote executive actions advancing racial equity and justice

We propose recommendations for federal, state, and local executive branches to adopt robust racial equity policies and ensure agencies are equipped to implement these policies effectively.

Develop a racial equity and justice legislative platform

We coalesce around and promote key legislative actions to garner tangible reforms during this Congress.

Cultivate private sector racial equity and justice initiatives

We partner with the private sector to champion solutions to address the root causes of racial wealth and opportunity gaps and strengthen the case for such solutions to be enacted and scaled by local, state, and federal leaders.

Change the conversation on racial equity and justice

We seek to fundamentally change Americans’ understanding of current and historic structural barriers that have long shut out communities of color from our economic, political, and social systems, building support for both long-term and systemic reforms.

The Racial Equity and Justice team promotes systemic reforms to dismantle structural racial injustices, give everyone an equal opportunity to thrive, and ensure society benefits from our nation’s diversity.

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The Nature Gap: Communities of Color and Those With Low Incomes Are Bearing the Brunt of America’s Nature Loss Report
Chemical plants and factories line the roads and suburbs of

The Nature Gap: Communities of Color and Those With Low Incomes Are Bearing the Brunt of America’s Nature Loss

New analysis reveals persistent environmental inequality in the United States. Communities of color are three times more likely than white communities to live in nature-deprived areas, and three-quarters of residents of these areas have low household incomes.

Sam Zeno, Mariam Rashid, Jenny Rowland-Shea, 2 More Kim Bailey, Rena Payan

Fact Sheet: The Nature Gap: Communities of Color and Those With Low Incomes Are Bearing the Brunt of America’s Nature Loss Fact Sheet
A house is seen with a chemical plant in the background in Louisiana's

Fact Sheet: The Nature Gap: Communities of Color and Those With Low Incomes Are Bearing the Brunt of America’s Nature Loss

New analysis from Conservation Science Partners, the Center for American Progress, and Justice Outside reveals persistent inequality in nearby nature in the United States.

Sam Zeno, Mariam Rashid, Jenny Rowland-Shea, 2 More Kim Bailey, Rena Payan

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.

William Roberts, Mariam Rashid

Building for Our Future Past Event

Building for Our Future

A Black Agenda for 2025 and Beyond

The Barn & Bowl Bistro | Oak Bluffs, MA

Film Screening: ‘The 50’ Past Event

Film Screening: ‘The 50’

A documentary film about a groundbreaking mental health program in a California prison, told by the program’s first 50 participants. The film will be followed by a discussion with the film's director and subjects.

CAP Online | After registering, stream "The 50" during this timeframe:

Executive Summary: How Federal Investments in Safe Drinking Water Infrastructure Are Improving Public Health Fact Sheet
Photo shows a hand holding a clear glass underneath a running faucet

Executive Summary: How Federal Investments in Safe Drinking Water Infrastructure Are Improving Public Health

This fact sheet summarizes a recent Center for American Progress report highlighting the use of federal investments from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to replace dangerous lead service lines and advance public health among vulnerable communities.

Jill Rosenthal, Allie Schneider, Hailey Gibbs, 1 More Mariam Rashid

2023 CAP IDEAS Conference Past Event
CAP IDEAS Conference logo

2023 CAP IDEAS Conference

Join the Center for American Progress as we celebrate 20 years of innovative policy solutions and look boldly forward to a progressive future.

Transforming the Economy: Forging Black Economic Power Across America Past Event
Logos of CAP and NPWF over an image of a lighthouse.

Transforming the Economy: Forging Black Economic Power Across America

Join the Center for American Progress and the National Partnership of Women & Families on Martha’s Vineyard for a moderated panel which explores new ways to promote economic opportunity in Black communities.

Barn & Bowl Bistro

The Disproportionate Burden of Eviction on Black Women Report
Sun coming through clouds behind apartment building

The Disproportionate Burden of Eviction on Black Women

The United States continues to face an eviction crisis that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and that disproportionately affects communities of color, particularly Black women.

Cleo Bluthenthal

America Needs Better Data on Race and Ethnicity In the News

America Needs Better Data on Race and Ethnicity

Rose Khattar and Edwith Theogene lay out glaring omissions in the way that the United States collects data on race and ethnicity and call for improvements to the processes.

The Messenger

Rose Khattar, Edwith Theogene

How Federal Agencies Can Advance Equity Through Biden’s Second Executive Order Report
Vice President Kamala Harris looks on as U.S. President Joe Biden signs executives orders related to his racial equity agenda.

How Federal Agencies Can Advance Equity Through Biden’s Second Executive Order

The Biden administration’s recent executive order makes clear its intent to swiftly advance racial equity and support underserved communities by directing federal agencies to deliver equitable outcomes and foster an inclusive and prosperous America for all.

Justin Dorazio

The Killing of Tyre Nichols Must Serve as a Catalyst to Root Out Racial Injustice in Policing Article
A makeshift memorial near the location where Tyre Nichols was beaten by Memphis police officers on January 28, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Killing of Tyre Nichols Must Serve as a Catalyst to Root Out Racial Injustice in Policing

The killing of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police in Memphis has focused the national attention on the dangers of driving while Black in America and the urgent need for police reform that fulfills the promise of public safety.

Rachael Eisenberg, Brandon Tucker, Hadi Sedigh

The Latest Poverty, Income, and Food Insecurity Data Reveal Continuing Racial Disparities Article
Two people, faces not shown, carrying grocery bags of food

The Latest Poverty, Income, and Food Insecurity Data Reveal Continuing Racial Disparities

Federal policies implemented in 2021 led to notable progress in the fight against poverty, but data show that persistent economic disparities, by both gender and race and ethnicity, will only be closed through continued attention and investments.

Kyle Ross, Justin Dorazio

7 Facts on Racial Equity and the Economic Recovery Article
A girl rides on her father's shoulders through the Orange County Fair against a green, leafy backdrop.

7 Facts on Racial Equity and the Economic Recovery

The economic recovery has supported workers of color, but inequities persist, and the Federal Reserve risks undoing the equitable economic gains achieved.

Justin Dorazio

The Supreme Court Censoring History and Race Would Be a Mistake Article
Photo shows the U.S. Supreme Court behind a security fence.

The Supreme Court Censoring History and Race Would Be a Mistake

Race-conscious remedies, such as voting rights protections and affirmative action in college admissions, are supported by the Constitution, are a part of American history, and are essential to equal opportunity.

Nicole Lee Ndumele, Ben Olinsky, Marcella Bombardieri

A Conversation With Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall Past Event

A Conversation With Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall

Discussing Air Force and Space Force personnel, the crisis in Ukraine, competition with China, human rights, and the role of the U.S. in the world

Online Only

Localized Anti-Displacement Policies Report
Photo shows a construction worker standing on the roof of a house.

Localized Anti-Displacement Policies

As more investments enter disadvantaged communities, it is crucial that local policies stabilize current residents, ensure they benefit from expanded opportunity, and protect them from displacement.

Justin Dorazio

Improving Economic Opportunity for Black Women and Families Past Event
Logos of CAP and NPWF over an image of a lighthouse.

Improving Economic Opportunity for Black Women and Families

A discussion with the National Partnership for Women & Families on improving the economic status of Black women and families.

The Barn Bowl & Bistro

Hospital-Based Intervention Programs Reduce Violence and Save Money Article
A man and woman are pictured in a room at the Violence Advocacy Program offices at Boston Medical Center in Boston.

Hospital-Based Intervention Programs Reduce Violence and Save Money

Hospital-based community violence intervention programs combat cycles of violent crime and retaliation by engaging patients in the recovery process immediately following injury.

Karenna Warden

How FEMA Can Prioritize Equity in Disaster Recovery Assistance Report

How FEMA Can Prioritize Equity in Disaster Recovery Assistance

Current disaster recovery efforts in the United States exacerbate racial disparities, as people of color experience greater harms from natural disasters, receive less support, lose wealth, and take longer to recover.

Justin Dorazio

Latino Workers Continue To Experience a Shortage of Good Jobs Article
A California street vendor serves customers in front of a colorful mural in Los Angeles.

Latino Workers Continue To Experience a Shortage of Good Jobs

Although Hispanic and Latino workers have high employment rates in the United States, labor market experiences differ substantially within this community, with Mexican, Guatemalan, Honduran, and Salvadoran Americans experiencing significant and intersecting gender and ethnic wage gaps.

Rose Khattar, Jessica Vela, Lorena Roque

Fact Sheet: Advancing Equity Fact Sheet
A group of Black Lives Matter demonstrators protest about the minimum wage in New York City, July 2020.

Fact Sheet: Advancing Equity

This fact sheet summarizes a recent Center for American Progress report on the Biden administration’s efforts to advance racial equity through the federal government.

Lorena Roque, Justin Dorazio

The United States Must Support HBCUs and Opportunity for Black College Students Article
Close-up of Howard University graduate

The United States Must Support HBCUs and Opportunity for Black College Students

The recent rash of bomb threats against historically Black colleges and universities is just one of the numerous signs that America is at risk of winding the clock backward when it comes to opportunities for Black students in higher education.

Jared C. Bass, Marcella Bombardieri

Advancing Racial Equity: The Biden Administration’s Efforts in Its First Year and the Agenda Ahead Past Event
Yvette Nesbit and Lorenzo Laroc hold hands as they gather near the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York for a Service of Prayer and Witness Against Anti-Asian Violence on March 23, 2021.

Advancing Racial Equity: The Biden Administration’s Efforts in Its First Year and the Agenda Ahead

Please join the Center for American Progress for a discussion on actions taken by the Biden administration to center racial equity in the federal government and the policies and path forward to bend the arc of racial justice toward equity in the years ahead.

Advancing Equity: Review of the Biden Administration’s Efforts in Its First Year To Implement a Racial Equity Agenda Report
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Advancing Equity: Review of the Biden Administration’s Efforts in Its First Year To Implement a Racial Equity Agenda

This report reviews the Biden administration’s key efforts and accomplishments to advance equity in its first year and outlines future policies needed to build a better and more dynamic nation that equitably respects the rights and meets the needs of all Americans.

Nicole Lee Ndumele, Lorena Roque, Justin Dorazio

How To Make Policies Work for Black Women With Disabilities Article
Transit riders, elected officials, and advocates, including Access-a-Ride organizer Eman Rimawi, rally outside Cuomo's office

How To Make Policies Work for Black Women With Disabilities

To create more equitable systems, policymakers must take an intersectional approach that includes Black women and girls with disabilities.

Megan Buckles

10 Policies To Improve Economic Security for Black Women With Disabilities Report
A teenage girl sits at a desk to take part in remote distance learning on a laptop, while her mother stands behind

10 Policies To Improve Economic Security for Black Women With Disabilities

To advance economic security for Black disabled women and girls, policymakers must make intersectionality central to modernizing the social safety net and to dismantling the barriers that contribute to inequality.

Megan Buckles

Investing in Home Care and Early Childhood Educators Has Outsize Impacts on Employment Article
Long-term caregivers and supporters rally in Los Angeles on July 13, 2021, for greater federal and local investment in the country's caregiving infrastructure. (Getty/Frederic J. Brown/AFP)

Investing in Home Care and Early Childhood Educators Has Outsize Impacts on Employment

Proposed investments in the Build Back Better agenda would benefit a significant number of workers, particularly women and women of color; transform the home care and early childhood sectors; and lift living standards and employment prospects for millions of Americans.

Marina Zhavoronkova, Rose Khattar

New Poverty and Food Insecurity Data Illustrate Persistent Racial Inequities Article
A person receives free food as part of an outreach program, December 2013, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Getty/John Moore)

New Poverty and Food Insecurity Data Illustrate Persistent Racial Inequities

Data make it clear that policymakers must finally commit to an expansive racial equity agenda to ensure that racial and gender economic disparities do not continue into the future.

Areeba Haider, Lorena Roque

Wealth Matters: The Black-White Wealth Gap Before and During the Pandemic Report
A group of people walk past the

Wealth Matters: The Black-White Wealth Gap Before and During the Pandemic

The lack of wealth in many African-American households has left them especially vulnerable to the financial fallout from the coronavirus crisis; but the federal government has perhaps its best opportunity yet to fix these racial disparities.

Christian E. Weller, Richard Figueroa

Black LGBTQ Individuals Experience Heightened Levels of Discrimination Article
People holding signs supporting Black transgender people gather during a candlelight vigil in West Reading, Pennsylvania, on September 14, 2020. (Getty/Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle)

Black LGBTQ Individuals Experience Heightened Levels of Discrimination

The compounding effects of discrimination for Black LGBTQ Americans are evident in the workplace, health care systems, and police interactions, leading to gaps in economic advancement and mental and physical health outcomes.

Lindsay Mahowald

How the Biden Administration Can Advance Racial Equity Article
A view of the White House, May 22, 2018, in Washington, D.C. (Getty/Brendan Smialowski/AFP)

How the Biden Administration Can Advance Racial Equity

Federal agencies have the opportunity to advance racial equity and narrow the racial wealth gap through executive actions.

Nicole Lee Ndumele, Lorena Roque

Biden’s Tax Enforcement Overhaul Would Be A Positive Step Toward Racial Equity Article
The IRS building, January 1997. (Getty/James Leynse)

Biden’s Tax Enforcement Overhaul Would Be A Positive Step Toward Racial Equity

Rebuilding the IRS and directing the agency’s focus toward wealthy tax cheats is a fundamental step toward creating a more fair and equitable tax code and an important step in the direction of racial equity.

Lorena Roque, Galen Hendricks

A Criminal Record Shouldn’t Be a Life Sentence to Poverty Report
(Close-up reflection of a white sign with red and black text in a window reading

A Criminal Record Shouldn’t Be a Life Sentence to Poverty

Bipartisan momentum for clean slate and fair chance licensing policies—which remove barriers to economic opportunity for people facing the stigma of a criminal record—has grown significantly in the states in recent years.

Rebecca Vallas, Sharon Dietrich, Beth Avery

National and Community Leaders Discuss How To End White Supremacist Violence Video

National and Community Leaders Discuss How To End White Supremacist Violence

This video presents highlights from an event following the release of a joint report from the Center for American Progress and the McCain Institute for International Leadership on how to address the growing national security threat posed by white supremacist violence in the United States.

Katrina Mulligan, Brette Steele, Simon Clark, 2 More Asha Padmanabhan, Rachel Hunkler

Reversing a Decade of Domestic Disinvestment Article
The U.S. Capitol is seen at sunrise in August 2020. (Getty/Bill Clark)

Reversing a Decade of Domestic Disinvestment

President Biden’s FY 2022 budget request must address years of cuts and underinvestment in critical government functions.

Seth Hanlon, Lorena Roque

Building on the ACA: Administrative Actions to Improve Maternal Health Report

Building on the ACA: Administrative Actions to Improve Maternal Health

The United States’ maternal health crisis demands federal and state action to improve coverage, the delivery of care, and pregnancy outcomes. The cost of inaction will almost certainly be dire.

Jamille Fields Allsbrook, Osub Ahmed

Latinos Face Disproportionate Health and Economic Impacts From COVID-19 Report

Latinos Face Disproportionate Health and Economic Impacts From COVID-19

Congress and the Biden administration must act quickly to minimize further harm during the COVID-19 pandemic—particularly for Latinos and other communities of color.

Ryan Zamarripa, Lorena Roque

The Economic Status of Asian American and Pacific Islander Women Report
Customers and cashiers wear face masks at a supermarket in Quincy, Massachusetts, on March 13, 2020. (Getty/The Boston Globe/Stan Grossfeld)

The Economic Status of Asian American and Pacific Islander Women

Policymakers must closely examine economic data on the experiences of AAPI women, before and during the coronavirus pandemic, in order to surface key barriers and shed light on effective policy solutions.

Robin Bleiweis

The State of Women’s Leadership—And How To Continue Changing the Face of U.S. Politics Article
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris speaks in Detroit, October 2020. (Getty/Nic Antaya)

The State of Women’s Leadership—And How To Continue Changing the Face of U.S. Politics

Women—particularly women of color—continue to make noteworthy gains at all levels of government, but bold policies and structural changes are still needed to reach gender parity in U.S. politics.

Robin Bleiweis, Shilpa Phadke

A CRA To Meet the Challenge of Climate Change Report
A car gets towed while men walk in floodwaters on a road in Houston, August 2017, in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. (Getty/Thomas B. Shea/AFP)

A CRA To Meet the Challenge of Climate Change

A modernized Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) would be a useful tool to effectively address climate resilience and environmental racism in low-income communities of color.

Michela Zonta, Caius Z. Willingham

With a Focus on Equity, Geography No Longer Has To Be Destiny Article
A father and son pick raspberries at an orchard in Michigan, July 2008. (Getty/Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group)

With a Focus on Equity, Geography No Longer Has To Be Destiny

With the rural-urban divide in the headlines, it is time to address long-standing inequities by building a more comprehensive equity analysis.

Olugbenga Ajilore, Katrina Badger

Centering Racial Equity in a New Administration Report

Centering Racial Equity in a New Administration

With a new administration set to lead the U.S. federal government, and in the midst of a pandemic that has exposed the many layers of racial inequality in this country, it is time to finally put infrastructure in place to achieve equity for Black Americans and communities of color.

Danyelle Solomon, Lily Roberts

4 First Steps for Congress To Address White Supremacist Terrorism Report

4 First Steps for Congress To Address White Supremacist Terrorism

As tensions rise ahead of the upcoming election, the 116th Congress can and should act now to confront the surge in violent white supremacy across the country.

Simon Clark, Karuna Nandkumar, James Lamond

The Pandemic Has Exacerbated Housing Instability for Renters of Color Report
Housing activists gather in the Crown Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, on July 31, 2020. (Getty/Scott Heins)

The Pandemic Has Exacerbated Housing Instability for Renters of Color

Hardships disproportionately faced by communities of color are being exacerbated by the pandemic and require an equitable recovery that reconciles past harms while also providing solutions for current and future challenges.

Jaboa Lake

Closing Latino Labor Market Gap Requires Targeted Policies To End Discrimination Report
(Two women use sewing machines to put together protective masks for medical personnel working in hospitals in Miami on April 15, 2020.)

Closing Latino Labor Market Gap Requires Targeted Policies To End Discrimination

Structural forces in the United States prevent Latinos from achieving the same employment outcomes as their non-Hispanic white counterparts, and policymakers can no longer ignore the equity gaps.

Ryan Zamarripa

Creating a Postal Banking System Would Help Address Structural Inequality Report
The facade of a United States Post Office is seen on August 17, 2020, in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Getty/Gary Hershorn)

Creating a Postal Banking System Would Help Address Structural Inequality

Expanding the responsibilities of the U.S. Postal Service to include postal banking would ensure that low-income communities and communities of color across the country have access to an essential service.

Danyelle Solomon, Mehrsa Baradaran, Lily Roberts

Redefining Electability Report

Redefining Electability

In hyperpartisan times, winning elections is all about showing up for voters and getting out the vote. Women are showing how it’s done.

Judith Warner

A Blueprint for Revamping the Minority Business Development Agency Report

A Blueprint for Revamping the Minority Business Development Agency

The Minority Business Development Agency has tremendous potential to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity in Black communities.

Connor Maxwell, Darrick Hamilton, Andre M. Perry, 1 More Danyelle Solomon

How To Reinvest in Communities When Reducing the Scope of Policing Report

How To Reinvest in Communities When Reducing the Scope of Policing

As cities reevaluate the role of policing, the bipartisan Justice Reinvestment Initiative offers lessons for cities on prioritizing meaningful investments in community-driven safety.

Ed Chung, Betsy Pearl

The Nature Gap Report

The Nature Gap

People of color, families with children, and low-income communities are most likely to be deprived of the benefits that nature provides.

Jenny Rowland-Shea, Sahir Doshi, Shanna Edberg, 1 More Robert Fanger

Fighting Systemic Racism in K-12 Education: Helping Allies Move From the Keyboard to the School Board Article
Student activists from New York City public schools—which remain some of the most segregated in the nation—meet with Board of Education officials demanding an end to all metal detectors, a more equitable division of resources within the school system, and reforms to the admissions process, January 2020. (Getty/Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis)

Fighting Systemic Racism in K-12 Education: Helping Allies Move From the Keyboard to the School Board

The surge of new allies in the Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice presents a welcome opportunity to implement systemic changes in the U.S. K-12 education system—and allies should start by following the lead of communities that are Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Roby Chatterji

How Child Care Disruptions Hurt Parents of Color Most Article
A mother looks at her son while unpacking groceries in New York City, May 2020. (Getty/Stephanie Keith)

How Child Care Disruptions Hurt Parents of Color Most

Black and multiracial parents are more likely than white parents to experience child care-related job disruptions.

Cristina Novoa

The COVID-19 Response in Indian Country Report

The COVID-19 Response in Indian Country

The disproportionate devastation COVID-19 is having in Native American communities lays bare the U.S. government’s systemic failure to meet its trust and treaty obligations.

Sahir Doshi, Allison Jordan, Kate Kelly, 1 More Danyelle Solomon

The Coronavirus Crisis Is Worsening Racial Inequality Article
People wait in line to receive food at a food bank on April 28, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Getty/Spencer Platt)

The Coronavirus Crisis Is Worsening Racial Inequality

New data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveal stark inequities in the social, economic, and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Connor Maxwell

Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity Fact Sheet

Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity

Alleviating stark disparities in health coverage, chronic health conditions, mental health, and mortality across racial and ethnic groups in the United States will require deliberate and long-term efforts.

Sofia Carratala, Connor Maxwell

The Economic Fallout of the Coronavirus for People of Color Article
A woman gives vouchers for groceries, provided by the food bank Feeding South Florida, to people lined up in their vehicles on April 6, 2020, in Sunrise, Florida. (Getty/Joe Raedle)

The Economic Fallout of the Coronavirus for People of Color

Occupational segregation, employment discrimination, and exploitation make economic downturns, such as the one created by the COVID-19 pandemic, worse in communities of color by destabilizing jobs, undermining small businesses, and increasing income shocks and unexpected expenses.

Connor Maxwell, Danyelle Solomon

Coronavirus Compounds Inequality and Endangers Communities of Color Article
Doors lead into the Emergency Department at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx on March 23, 2020. (Getty/Misha Friedman)

Coronavirus Compounds Inequality and Endangers Communities of Color

Structural racism makes public health crises such as COVID-19 more dangerous by increasing exposure, exacerbating preexisting conditions, and preventing vulnerable people from obtaining the care they need.

Connor Maxwell

The Coronavirus Pandemic and the Racial Wealth Gap Article
U.S. dollar banknotes are shown in Washington, D.C., March 2020. (Getty/Liu Jie)

The Coronavirus Pandemic and the Racial Wealth Gap

The unjust racial wealth gap leaves Black and Latinx communities especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.

Danyelle Solomon, Darrick Hamilton

Communities of Color Bear the Brunt of Trump’s Anti-Environmental Agenda Article
A neighborhood sits in front of the Edgar Thomson Steel Works mill in Braddock, Pennsylvania, January 2020. (Getty/Brendan Smialowski/AFP)

Communities of Color Bear the Brunt of Trump’s Anti-Environmental Agenda

By weakening air and water protections and refusing to address climate change, the Trump administration is exacerbating environmental and health hazards in communities of color.

Amy Patronella, Saharra Griffin

On the Persistence of the Black-White Unemployment Gap Report
A man fills out an application at a job fair in Chicago on June 12, 2014. (Getty/Scott Olson)

On the Persistence of the Black-White Unemployment Gap

The United States needs policies that challenge structural racism in order to close the persistent unemployment gap between African Americans and whites.

Olugbenga Ajilore

Promise and Opportunity Deferred Report
A street in the once-thriving town of Braddock, Pennsylvania, which faced economic decline following the closure of its steal mills, on October 13, 2016. (Getty/Andrew Lichtenstein)

Promise and Opportunity Deferred

Reforming the United States’ place-based investment framework is no easy feat, but for the sake of equity, it is well worth the endeavor.

Rejane Frederick, Guillermo Ortiz

Black and Latinx Students Are Getting Less Bang for Their Bachelor’s Degrees Article
Students browsing books at at Miami Dade College, October 2015. (Getty/Jeffrey Greenberg)

Black and Latinx Students Are Getting Less Bang for Their Bachelor’s Degrees

Black and Latinx students who earn bachelor’s degrees take longer to graduate, earn more debt, and face more employment challenges than white peers.

Ariana De La Fuente, Marissa Alayna Navarro

Fixing Graduate School Debt Fact Sheet
Law student graduate Esther Agbaje takes part in the Black Commencement at Harvard University on May 23, 2017. (Getty/Keith Bedford)

Fixing Graduate School Debt

This fact sheet considers accountability-based policy solutions through an equity lens to bring down graduate debt levels.

Viviann Anguiano, Ben Miller

Graduate School Debt Report
A woman receives her masters degree hood during her university's fall commencement in San Jose, California, on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. (Getty/Randy Vazquez)

Graduate School Debt

Policymakers cannot keep looking past the 40 percent of federal student loans that are used for graduate studies each year.

Ben Miller

Opportunities for States To Improve Infant Health Outcomes Report

Opportunities for States To Improve Infant Health Outcomes

Racial and ethnic disparities in infant health outcomes across states show the need for lawmakers to enact policies that will address the country’s infant health crisis.

Cristina Novoa

The Economics of Caregiving for Working Mothers Report
A single mother picks up her children from day care in Maryland on December 20, 2016. (Mother picks up children from day care)

The Economics of Caregiving for Working Mothers

Working mothers are important drivers of three essential industries—elementary and secondary education, hospitals, and food services—yet cannot afford child care for their own children.

Sarah Jane Glynn, Katie Hamm

Early Decision Harms Students of Color and Low-Income Students Article
High school students sit for their commencement ceremony in Long Beach, California, June 2009. (Getty/Jeff Gritchen)

Early Decision Harms Students of Color and Low-Income Students

Early decision policies at colleges and universities favor wealthy families and create additional barriers for marginalized communities.

Abril Castro

Transforming the Culture of Power Report
(Protesters against U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh demonstrate at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on October 6, 2018.)

Transforming the Culture of Power

Dismantling the culture of power that sustains and fuels gender-based violence requires a comprehensive, national strategy that connects meaningful policy solutions across the diverse issues affecting survivors and communities.

Jocelyn Frye, Shilpa Phadke, Robin Bleiweis, 6 More Maggie Jo Buchanan, Danielle Corley, Osub Ahmed, Rebecca Cokley, Laura E. Durso, Chelsea Parsons

The Harvest of American Racism Article
A man walks down a street in Baltimore, July 2019. (Getty/Spencer Platt)

The Harvest of American Racism

Using the market mechanism to solve structural problems is the wrong approach to improving distressed communities.

Olugbenga Ajilore

Systemic Inequality: Displacement, Exclusion, and Segregation Report
Typical row home facades on a residential street off Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia on November 9, 2017. (Typical row home facades on a residential street off Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia on November 9, 2017.)

Systemic Inequality: Displacement, Exclusion, and Segregation

The United States must reckon with the racism built into its housing system in order to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to build wealth.

Danyelle Solomon, Connor Maxwell, Abril Castro

Truth and Reconciliation Report
Civil rights advocates carry placards during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C. (Getty/Universal History Archive/Warren K. Leffler)

Truth and Reconciliation

In order to address centuries of collective harm to African Americans, the United States must acknowledge the impacts of slavery and make an intentional choice to rebuild itself in an equitable manner.

Danyelle Solomon

Systematic Inequality and Economic Opportunity Report
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 21: A job seeker fills out an application during a career fair at the Southeast Community Facility Commission on May 21, 2014 in San Francisco, California. Job seekers came out in force looking for employment from nearly 40 employers at the second annual job and career fair in San Francisco's Bayview district. California's unemployment fell to 7.8 percent in April, down from 9.1 percent in April of 2013. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Systematic Inequality and Economic Opportunity

Eliminating racial disparities in economic well-being requires long-term, targeted interventions to expand access to opportunity for people of color.

Danyelle Solomon, Connor Maxwell, Abril Castro

Systematic Inequality and American Democracy Report
(Voters go to the polls at in Harlem on Election Day on November 8, 2016 in New York City.)

Systematic Inequality and American Democracy

While the nation has undoubtedly made progress, entrenched structural racism continues to corrupt American democracy and preserve racial inequality.

Danyelle Solomon, Connor Maxwell, Abril Castro

Yes, the President Is Still a Racist Podcast
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Yes, the President Is Still a Racist

Following a recent op-ed in The Washington Post condemning the racist remarks of President Trump, two Black former Obama administration staffers sit down with Daniella to discuss how the country can move forward.

Daniella Gibbs Léger, Kyle Epstein, Chris Ford

Trade and Race Report
(United Auto Workers members hold a prayer vigil at the General Motors plant in Warren, Michigan, where almost 300 workers will be laid off, February 2019.)

Trade and Race

Lawmakers should center black communities when considering the fall of manufacturing and the role of trade policy in mitigating negative employment effects.

Daniella Zessoules

Racial Disparities in Home Appreciation Report

Racial Disparities in Home Appreciation

Segregation and racial disparities in home appreciation put African Americans at a disadvantage in their ability to build equity and accumulate wealth.

Michela Zonta

Student Debt: An Overlooked Barrier to Increasing Teacher Diversity Report
A principal visits a classroom at a New Orleans elementary school, January 2015. (Getty/Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor)

Student Debt: An Overlooked Barrier to Increasing Teacher Diversity

Black and Latinx students’ disparate experiences with student loan debt compared with their white counterparts may affect their choice to enter or stay in the teaching profession.

Bayliss Fiddiman, Colleen Campbell, Lisette Partelow

A Quality Education for Every Child Report
Fifth and sixth grade students warm up for class at an elementary school in Washington, D.C., October 2012. (Getty/The Washington Post/Astrid Riecken)

A Quality Education for Every Child

The time is now for policymakers to take a bold and comprehensive approach to K-12 education.

Scott Sargrad, Khalilah M. Harris, Lisette Partelow, 2 More Neil Campbell, Laura Jimenez

Florida’s Modern-Day Poll Tax Article
A formerly incarcerated man is hugged by a friend after registering to vote inside the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office in Orlando, Florida, on January 8, 2019. (Getty/The Washington Post/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Florida’s Modern-Day Poll Tax

Florida officials are rejecting the will of the people in order to suppress the vote.

Connor Maxwell

Darrick Hamilton: The Blueprint for a Better Society Podcast
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Darrick Hamilton: The Blueprint for a Better Society

This week, Daniella and Ed speak with Darrick Hamilton, executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University, to discuss the U.S. economy, inequality, and reparations.

Daniella Gibbs Léger, Ed Chung, Kyle Epstein, 1 More Chris Ford

CAP Ideas 2019: Mitch Landrieu on Reckoning With America’s Past Video
(Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (D) speaks at the 2019 CAP Ideas Conference.)

CAP Ideas 2019: Mitch Landrieu on Reckoning With America’s Past

Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu speaks at the 2019 CAP Ideas Conference on the importance of a true reckoning with America’s past in order to truly guarantee dignity and opportunity to all.

Using Marijuana Revenue to Create Jobs Report
Preparations begin on the first day of the legalization of recreational marijuana sales in California, January 2018. (Containers of marijuana for sale on display counter)

Using Marijuana Revenue to Create Jobs

The war on drugs crushed economic opportunity in African American and Latinx communities, but marijuana tax revenue can help fuel job growth.

Maritza Perez, Olugbenga Ajilore, Ed Chung

3 Ways the 1994 Crime Bill Continues to Hurt Communities of Color Article
A man stands with handcuffs at the San Quentin State Prison's death row in San Quentin, California, August 2016. (Getty/Justin Sullivan)

3 Ways the 1994 Crime Bill Continues to Hurt Communities of Color

Lawmakers must dismantle the crime bill’s harmful policies and enact solutions that reduce reliance on incarceration, prevent unnecessary criminalization, and eliminate the draconian laws keeping millions of Americans in prison.

Ranya Shannon

Progressive Governance Can Turn the Tide for Black Farmers Report
A crop farmer and recipient of USDA farm subsidies works to prepare equipment for evening planting of corn in Hull, Sioux County, Iowa, April 2011. (Getty/Melina Mara)

Progressive Governance Can Turn the Tide for Black Farmers

Inclusive progressive solutions are key to addressing the structural racism of previous U.S. farm policies—something that nearly wiped out black farmers.

Abril Castro, Caius Z. Willingham

Equity Audits: A Tool for Campus Improvement Article
Graduating students attend their university's commencement ceremony on May 15, 2016, in New Jersey. (Getty/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

Equity Audits: A Tool for Campus Improvement

Newly proposed legislation will help colleges identify ways to better serve students of all backgrounds.

Marcella Bombardieri

The Madness Doesn’t End in March Report
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 20: Cam Reddish #2, Marques Bolden #20, Tre Jones #3, Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils huddle against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 20, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

The Madness Doesn’t End in March

Big-time college sports distort the reality of black male students’ experience on college campuses, so much so that black male athletes represent a sizable chunk of black men in Power Five schools.

Sara Garcia, Connor Maxwell

The 1994 Crime Bill Continues to Undercut Justice Reform—Here’s How to Stop It Report
Razor wire surrounds Beaumont Juvenile Correctional Center in Beaumont, Virginia, April 2013. (Getty/Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

The 1994 Crime Bill Continues to Undercut Justice Reform—Here’s How to Stop It

Lawmakers who are considering what should follow the FIRST STEP Act, the federal sentencing and prison reform effort, must begin by reversing the infrastructure that the 1994 federal crime bill created.

Ed Chung, Betsy Pearl, Lea Hunter

Kim Foxx: What Does It Mean To Be a Progressive Prosecutor? Podcast
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Kim Foxx: What Does It Mean To Be a Progressive Prosecutor?

This week, Daniella and Ed speak with Kim Foxx, the state's attorney for Cook County, Illinois, about what it means to be a progressive prosecutor.

Daniella Gibbs Léger, Ed Chung, Rachel Rosen, 2 More Kyle Epstein, Chris Ford

The State of the U.S. Labor Market: Pre-February 2019 Jobs Day Release Article
A man boards a bus near his home in Gilroy, California, November 2018. (Getty/Ezra Shaw)

The State of the U.S. Labor Market: Pre-February 2019 Jobs Day Release

Policymakers and economists must consider the challenges of disabled workers and other populations who face high labor market barriers when evaluating the health of the labor market and implementing policies that affect it.

Nathan Smith, Galen Hendricks, Daniella Zessoules, 2 More Olugbenga Ajilore, Michael Madowitz

Candice Jones: ‘It’s Been a Month’ Podcast
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Candice Jones: ‘It’s Been a Month’

This week, Daniella and Ed chat with Candice Jones—president and CEO of the Public Welfare Foundation—to reflect on this year's Black History Month and discuss criminal justice reform.

Daniella Gibbs Léger, Ed Chung, Rachel Rosen, 2 More Kyle Epstein, Chris Ford

Representation Matters: In Conversation With the Cast of Netflix’s ‘One Day at a Time’ Podcast
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Representation Matters: In Conversation With the Cast of Netflix’s ‘One Day at a Time’

This week, Ed and Daniella sit down with Gloria Calderón Kellet, Justina Machado, and Isabella Gomez—the showrunner and stars of Netflix series 'One Day at a Time'—to discuss the importance of representation on their new show.

Daniella Gibbs Léger, Ed Chung, Rachel Rosen, 2 More Kyle Epstein, Chris Ford

Congress Needs to Stop Trump’s Continued Infliction of Harm and Suffering on Puerto Ricans Article
Visible roof damage to a school in Puerto Rico, September 2018. (Getty/Angel Valentin)

Congress Needs to Stop Trump’s Continued Infliction of Harm and Suffering on Puerto Ricans

Puerto Rican families continue to suffer from unemployment and food insecurity following hurricanes Irma and Maria. They deserve to be able to put food on the table for their families, and Congress should address this much-needed funding now.

Enrique Fernández-Toledo, Rafael Medina, Erin Cohan

Trump’s Shutdown Threatened the American Dream, Especially for People of Color Article
Even after the end of the government shutdown, federal employees continue to line up outside the World Central Kitchen for free food and coffee, January 28, 2019, in Washington, D.C. (Getty/Chip Somodevilla)

Trump’s Shutdown Threatened the American Dream, Especially for People of Color

More than 228,000 people of color were furloughed or forced to work without pay because of the president’s decision to shut down the government in an effort to gain funding for a border wall.

Connor Maxwell

The State of the U.S. Labor Market: Pre-January 2019 Jobs Release Article
A Transportation Security Administration agent works at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago during the partial government shutdown on January 7, 2019. (Getty/Scott Olson)

The State of the U.S. Labor Market: Pre-January 2019 Jobs Release

Policymakers and economists need to center populations who face high labor market barriers when evaluating the health of the labor market.

Daniella Zessoules, Galen Hendricks, Michael Madowitz, 1 More Olugbenga Ajilore

Wage Gaps and Outcomes in Apprenticeship Programs Report
Apprentice Lacie Cudden, age 17, makes tools at a shipyard where she is learning traditional ship-building skills on December 5, 2008.

Wage Gaps and Outcomes in Apprenticeship Programs

A closer look at regional differences in apprenticeship programs spotlights the disparate outcomes that result from place, race, and gender and how these interact to exacerbate pay inequities.

Daniella Zessoules, Olugbenga Ajilore

Sandy Still Speaks: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland Podcast
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Sandy Still Speaks: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland

This week, Daniella moderates a panel with Cannon Lambert, the Bland family attorney, and David Heilbroner, co-director of the documentary, “Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland,” during a live screening of the film at the Center for American Progress.

Daniella Gibbs Léger, Ed Chung, Rachel Rosen, 1 More Kyle Epstein

Public Policies Promoting Healthy Eating and Exercise Report
A woman shops for fresh produce at a farmer's market in Temple Hills, Maryland, an area designated as a food desert, May 2016. (Getty/Michael Robinson Chavez)

Public Policies Promoting Healthy Eating and Exercise

Implementing public policies to reduce obesity may help prevent chronic disease and increase life expectancy, particularly for low-income individuals.

Theresa Chalhoub, Madeline Twomey, Rhonda Rogombe

The State of the Labor Market for Latinas: Pre-October Jobs Day Release Article
Job seekers fill out registration forms before entering a career fair in San Francisco, June 2015. (Getty/Justin Sullivan)

The State of the Labor Market for Latinas: Pre-October Jobs Day Release

Evaluations of the health of the labor market should center the challenges of Latinas and other populations that face high labor market barriers.

Daniella Zessoules, Galen Hendricks, Michael Madowitz

Weak Gun Laws and Public Safety Concerns in the State of Missouri Report
Firearms are seen on display at the K&W Gunworks store in Delray Beach, Florida, January 2016. (Getty/Joe Raedle)

Weak Gun Laws and Public Safety Concerns in the State of Missouri

Given the increasing levels of gun violence in the state, elected leaders in Missouri should reject dangerous gun laws and push for policies that reduce gun violence and protect the safety of every Missourian.

Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Jiyeon Kim

Curbing Hate Online: What Companies Should Do Now Report

Curbing Hate Online: What Companies Should Do Now

The Center for American Progress joined with civil and human rights groups to develop new policies for internet companies—here’s what we did and why it is important.

Henry Fernandez

The Forgotten Faces of Student Loan Default Article
University of California, Los Angeles students and supporters protest a proposed 32 percent tuition hike, November 2009. (Getty/David McNew)

The Forgotten Faces of Student Loan Default

Several overlooked groups of students—including veterans and students with disabilities—continue to struggle with loan repayment.

Colleen Campbell

Michael Steele Puts a ‘Check on Stupid’ Podcast
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Michael Steele Puts a ‘Check on Stupid’

This week, Daniella and Ed sit down with Michael Steele, former Republican National Committee chairman and lieutenant governor of Maryland, to discuss how the current chaos in the conservative movement has hindered his outreach efforts to voters of color.

Daniella Gibbs Léger, Ed Chung, Rachel Rosen, 1 More Kyle Epstein

Mistaken Identity Report
Officers arrest an alleged MS-13 gang member in Manassas, Virginia, on August 10, 2017.

Mistaken Identity

With unfounded fear of gang violence growing and greater scrutiny of law enforcement tactics, there is an increasing need for public safety strategies that balance respect for individual rights.

Maritza Perez

Jason Kander Goes Outside the Wire Podcast
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Jason Kander Goes Outside the Wire

Hosts Daniella and Ed chat with Jason Kander, founder of the voting rights advocacy group Let America Vote, about his new book and the Nike ad campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick.

Daniella Gibbs Léger, Ed Chung, Kyle Epstein

Gaps in the Debate About Asian Americans and Affirmative Action at Harvard Article
Students attend Harvard University's 2018 367th Commencement at the university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 24, 2018. (Getty/Paul Marotta)

Gaps in the Debate About Asian Americans and Affirmative Action at Harvard

Race-conscious admissions policies benefit all students of color, including Asian Americans, and higher education institutions must use these practices—along with other considerations—to better ensure diversity and equity on their campuses.

Sylvia Guan

Combating Hate and White Nationalism in the Digital World Report

Combating Hate and White Nationalism in the Digital World

One year after the violent confrontation in Charlottesville stoked in large part by online hate groups, here’s what must be done to combat racism and break barriers in the digital world.

Aastha Uprety, Danyelle Solomon

5 Ways to Increase Voter Turnout in African American Communities Article
Voters line up in Atlanta to cast their ballots in the 2016 presidential election on November 8, 2016. (Getty/Jessica McGowan)

5 Ways to Increase Voter Turnout in African American Communities

Voter suppression, as well as a lack of ongoing and meaningful engagement, prevent African Americans from fully participating in the political process.

Connor Maxwell

The Apprenticeship Wage and Participation Gap Report

The Apprenticeship Wage and Participation Gap

Policymakers must address significant race and gender gaps in Registered Apprenticeship programs.

Angela Hanks, Annie McGrew, Daniella Zessoules

BONUS EPISODE: Sharing the Mic on Gun Violence Prevention Podcast
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BONUS EPISODE: Sharing the Mic on Gun Violence Prevention

This week, Michele and Igor sit down with student activist Ryan Deitsh and BeMore Group Executive Director Dejuan Patterson to discuss efforts they are both taking to prevent gun violence in America.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

5 Ways to Increase Voter Turnout in Latinx American Communities Article
A state coordinator for Mi Familia Vota helps Latinos register to vote ahead of the 2016 presidential election in Kissimmee, Florida, July 2016. (Getty/Charles Ommanney/The Washington Post)

5 Ways to Increase Voter Turnout in Latinx American Communities

Discriminatory voting laws and lack of voter engagement prevent Latinx Americans from leveraging their full political power at the polls.

Connor Maxwell

Locking Up Our Own Podcast
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Locking Up Our Own

Michele and Igor sit down with James Forman Jr., a public defender and author, and discuss the touch-on-crime policies that resulted in disproportionate numbers of black men in prison.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

BONUS EPISODE: How RFK Became ‘the Patron Saint of Black People’ Podcast
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BONUS EPISODE: How RFK Became ‘the Patron Saint of Black People’

This week, Michele and Igor sit down with Dawn Porter, director of "Bobby Kennedy for President," and discuss parallels between the 1968 presidential campaign and today's political climate.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Mass Incarceration, Stress, and Black Infant Mortality Report

Mass Incarceration, Stress, and Black Infant Mortality

The system of mass incarceration is perhaps the clearest manifestation of structural racism in the United States—with particularly damaging effects for black women and infants.

Connor Maxwell, Danyelle Solomon

Maria Teresa Kumar on Efforts to Dehumanize the Latinx Community Podcast
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Maria Teresa Kumar on Efforts to Dehumanize the Latinx Community

Michele and Igor speak with Maria Teresa Kumar, president and CEO of Voto Latino, about the harmful effects of the Trump administration's actions on the Latinx community, as well as the importance of communities of color voting in 2018.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Blueprint for the 21st Century Report

Blueprint for the 21st Century

CAP’s Jobs Blueprint addresses the wage stagnation and employment challenges facing working class Americans and communities left behind by investing in millions of new jobs nationwide to meet some of our nation’s most pressing economic and social needs and creating a job guarantee in the hardest-hit areas.

Center for American Progress

Bold Ideas for State Action Report

Bold Ideas for State Action

Americans are ready for states—the laboratories of democracy—to offer a new progressive vision for shared prosperity. This report presents a menu of state policy priorities to help people secure good jobs and good wages and to support strong and healthy communities in which all people are treated fairly and equitably.

Center for American Progress

The Environment That Racism Built Article
A mother holds her daughter in housing projects in New Orleans, May 2008. (Getty/Mario Tama)

The Environment That Racism Built

Racism in the United States is killing black mothers and babies—here’s why where they live, learn, work, and play matters.

Rejane Frederick

5 Ways to Increase Asian American Voter Turnout Article
Kelly Lee of the Korean American Association of Washington Metropolitan Area answers questions from a couple as she helps register voters during the annual KORUS festival, a Korean cultural festival, October 2, 2016, in Tysons Corner, Virginia. (Getty/Alex Wong)

5 Ways to Increase Asian American Voter Turnout

The Asian American community faces a persistent voter turnout disparity—but the barriers can be overcome with appropriate policy efforts.

Aastha Uprety

The Tragic Association of Criminality and Blackness Podcast
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The Tragic Association of Criminality and Blackness

This week, Igor discusses the damaging association of criminality and blackness with writer Clint Smith and Brian Ferguson, director of the Washington, D.C., Mayor's Office on Returning Citizen Affairs.

Igor Volsky, Rachel Rosen, Sally Tucker

BONUS EPISODE: Confronting the Racist Past of National Geographic Podcast
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BONUS EPISODE: Confronting the Racist Past of National Geographic

Igor and guest host Danyelle Solomon chat with Susan Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of National Geographic, and discuss the magazine's racist history and its efforts to include more diverse perspectives moving forward.

Igor Volsky, Danyelle Solomon, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

When Communities Didn’t Have a Say Report

When Communities Didn’t Have a Say

President Trump wants to take America back to the days before the National Environmental Policy Act; these stories show why that would be disastrous.

Kristina Costa, Lia Cattaneo, Danielle Schultz

Second Chance Cities: Local Efforts to Promote Re-Entry Success Report
A man walks down the hallway near his cell June 2017, in San Quentin, California. (Getty/Ezra Shaw)

Second Chance Cities: Local Efforts to Promote Re-Entry Success

In honor of Second Chance Month, Prison Fellowship’s campaign to eliminate barriers to opportunity for justice-involved Americans, CAP is highlighting the range of approaches that cities have adopted to promote second chances for all of their residents.

Betsy Pearl, Lea Hunter

Racism: The Evergreen Toxin Killing Black Mothers and Infants Report

Racism: The Evergreen Toxin Killing Black Mothers and Infants

A growing body of research on U.S. maternal and infant mortality rates among African Americans suggests that the nation must confront racism.

Danyelle Solomon

Maternal Mortality and the Devaluation of Black Motherhood Article
A mom of two elementary school children living in Greensboro, North Carolina, October 2016. (Getty/Jerry Wolford)

Maternal Mortality and the Devaluation of Black Motherhood

Both black mothers and women have long been devalued in American society, and racism must be acknowledged and confronted in the effort to reduce black maternal mortality.

Jamila Taylor

The Gender Wage Gap Among Rural Workers Article
A cashier rings up a costumer. (Getty/Jeffrey Greenberg)

The Gender Wage Gap Among Rural Workers

While all rural workers make less, rural women of color face an especially large wage gap.

Katherine Gallagher Robbins, Jocelyn Frye, Annie McGrew

Standing on the Edmund Pettus Bridge Podcast
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Standing on the Edmund Pettus Bridge

On the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, Igor speaks with veteran journalist and ThinkProgress columnist Sam Fulwood III about the racial progress made in the past 50 years—and what remains to be accomplished.

Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, Rachel Rosen

America’s Sordid Legacy on Race and Disaster Recovery Article
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)

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

Gaps in College Spending Shortchange Students of Color Report

Gaps in College Spending Shortchange Students of Color

Due to gaps in college enrollment and differences in spending, students of color are more likely to attend institutions that spend less to educate them.

Sara Garcia

The Rise of Hate Podcast
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The Rise of Hate

Guest host Ed Chung and Igor chat with their guests about the rise of hate crimes in the United States since President Trump took office.

Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, Rachel Rosen, 1 More Ed Chung

The Underground College Basketball Economy Podcast
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The Underground College Basketball Economy

This week, Michele and Igor sit down with Kevin Merida to discuss issues of sports and race.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 2 More Rachel Rosen, Kyle Epstein

Black Women Magic (Part 2 LIVE from Power Rising in Atlanta, GA) Podcast
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Black Women Magic (Part 2 LIVE from Power Rising in Atlanta, GA)

In part two of this two-part episode, Michele and Daniella speak with a star lineup of black women live from the Power Rising Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, about what it really looks like for black women to support each other.

Michele L. Jawando, Daniella Gibbs Léger, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Black Women Magic (Part 1 LIVE from Power Rising in Atlanta, GA) Podcast
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Black Women Magic (Part 1 LIVE from Power Rising in Atlanta, GA)

In part one of this two-part episode, Michele and Daniella speak with a star lineup of black women live from the Power Rising Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, about the power of black women's votes and why the United States needs more black women in office today.

Michele L. Jawando, Daniella Gibbs Léger, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Not the Postracial Society We Thought It Would Be Podcast
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Not the Postracial Society We Thought It Would Be

Michele and Igor speak with Kenneth B. Morris Jr., the great-great-great-grandson of Frederick Douglass and the great-great-grandson of Booker T. Washington, about lessons that today's resisters can learn from these historical figures.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Separate Is Still Unequal Article
Fourth-grade students listen to their teacher at a school in Hempstead, New York, September 2015. (Getty/Yana Paskova/The Washington Post)

Separate Is Still Unequal

Sixty years after the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, many students of color still have to fight for their right to a high-quality public education.

Angelina Quezada

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

How To Fix the Large and Growing Latinx Teacher-Student Gap Report

How To Fix the Large and Growing Latinx Teacher-Student Gap

Every state lacks sufficient Latinx teachers to reflect the diversity of its student body. Policymakers need to adjust recruitment tactics to fill the Latinx teacher-student gap.

Sarah Shapiro, Lisette Partelow

Fact Sheets: President Trump’s FY 2019 Budget Harms Nearly Every Community Across the Country Fact Sheet
Copies of President Donald Trump's fiscal year 2019 budget sit on a table at the House Budget Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 12, 2018. (Getty/AFP/Saul Loeb)

Fact Sheets: President Trump’s FY 2019 Budget Harms Nearly Every Community Across the Country

Trump’s budget is an unmitigated disaster for everyday Americans—including women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, communities of color, and more.

Eliza Schultz, Katherine Gallagher Robbins, Rejane Frederick, 7 More Silva Mathema, Connor Maxwell, Heidi Schultheis, Anusha Ravi, Leila Schochet, Leonard Scott IV, Shabab Ahmed Mirza

Does Boston Deserve Its Racist Reputation? Podcast
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Does Boston Deserve Its Racist Reputation?

This week, Michele and Igor examine Boston's racist reputation and discuss the official presidential portraits unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Blackness Is Its Own Thing Podcast
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Blackness Is Its Own Thing

Michele and Igor speak with Melissa Harris-Perry and DeRay Mckesson, two prolific leaders who are changing the world we live in, about topics ranging from black women's place in the #MeToo movement to America's treatment of Colin Kaepernick, and everything in between.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Exploring African Americans’ High Maternal and Infant Death Rates Report

Exploring African Americans’ High Maternal and Infant Death Rates

It is imperative to consider how racism and other forms of discrimination contribute to alarmingly high rates of maternal and infant mortality among African American women.

Cristina Novoa, Jamila Taylor

Building on Women’s Wins in 2017 Article
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) listens during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing,

Building on Women’s Wins in 2017

Recruiting women of color and young women, as well as discussing discrimination, could increase the number of women running for office in 2018.

Katherine Gallagher Robbins

A Shithole Place Called Racism Podcast
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A Shithole Place Called Racism

This week Michele and Igor chat with two CAP colleagues and discuss the history and context behind the United States' racist immigration policies and Donald Trump's discriminatory behavior.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 3 More Philip E. Wolgin, Rejane Frederick, Rachel Rosen

Public Schools Must Address Disparities in Discipline Rates Article
A Baltimore first-grader participates in a morning meditation session with her class, November 2016. (Getty/Linda Davidson)

Public Schools Must Address Disparities in Discipline Rates

Policymakers must take action to help address suspension and expulsion rates for historically disadvantaged students in U.S. public schools.

Laura Jimenez, Abel McDaniels, Sarah Shapiro

52 Harms in 52 Weeks Report
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 22: (AFP OUT) Congressional Black Caucus Executive Committee member Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) has a copy of a report titled 'We Have A Lot To Lose' during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room at the White House March 22, 2017 in Washington, DC. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump asked African Americans to support him, saying,

52 Harms in 52 Weeks

In the past year, President Trump and his administration have consistently sought to undermine rights, protections, and opportunities for people of color.

Danyelle Solomon, Connor Maxwell

How to Reform Remedial Education Article
A student uses her calculator during a remedial math class in Haverhill, Massachusetts, June 2015. (Getty/Jessica Rinaldi)

How to Reform Remedial Education

Policymakers, colleges, and school districts should take steps to successfully reform remedial education for recent high school graduates.

Laura Jimenez

Voter Purges Prevent Eligible Americans from Voting Fact Sheet
A sign directing voters to the polling center is seen on a wall in Eastern Market as the sun rises on the 2016 presidential election in Washington, November 8, 2016. (Getty/Anadolu Agency, Samuel Corum)

Voter Purges Prevent Eligible Americans from Voting

Voter purges silence Americans at the ballot box, and Ohio’s voter purge case will have important repercussions on the future of voting rights.

Danielle Root, Liz Kennedy

The Year That Was Podcast

The Year That Was

On this episode of Thinking CAP, Michele and Igor break down the year that was 2017.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Upholding the Dignity of Incarcerated Women Article
Inmates walk the halls in formation at Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Alabama, September 2013. (AP/Dave Martin)

Upholding the Dignity of Incarcerated Women

Policymakers must act to improve the health conditions and treatment of incarcerated women.

Khala James

A New Path for School Integration Article
Kindergarten students in Farmville, Virginia, work on an assignment, April 2004. (AP/Lisa Billings)

A New Path for School Integration

School integration remains essential for equalizing educational opportunity for all children.

Abel McDaniels

‘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

From Preschool to Prison: The Criminalization of Black Girls Article
A 6-year-old sits on a swing at a child development center in Las Vegas, September 13, 2017. (AP/John Locher)

From Preschool to Prison: The Criminalization of Black Girls

In order to combat mass incarceration, America needs to address the school-to-prison pipeline, a system that affects black girls at an alarming rate.

Mackenzie Chakara

Stuffing the Courts Podcast
(The Thinking CAP podcast logo, a yellow neon cap against a black background with the word

Stuffing the Courts

This week, Michele and Igor sit down with three guests to discuss President Trump's aggressive strategy of filling federal and lower courts with predominantly white male judges.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Not Just the Rich and Famous Article
Women march against sexual assault and harassment for the #MeToo March in Los Angeles, November 12, 2017. (AP/Damian Dovarganes)

Not Just the Rich and Famous

Comprehensive efforts are necessary to combat sexual harassment in all industries, particularly those with large low-wage and predominantly female workforces.

Jocelyn Frye

Suffering in Silence Report
A woman holds her newborn daughter, June 2013. (AP/Scott Eisen)

Suffering in Silence

Women of color experiencing perinatal mood disorders often suffer in silence and lack access to mental health care. Mental health stigma must be dismantled and key interventions implemented at the policy and community levels.

Jamila Taylor, Christy M. Gamble

The Unequal Toll of Toxic Stress Report
A woman looks out to the street from a balcony in San Francisco, February 2005. (AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The Unequal Toll of Toxic Stress

There is a pervasive lack of sensitivity to the ways in which girls of color signal emotional distress—a widespread failure on the part of adults that results in too many girls falling through the cracks at school.

Judith Warner

North Carolina’s Attacks on the Courts Lead to Fewer Judges of Color Report

North Carolina’s Attacks on the Courts Lead to Fewer Judges of Color

African American judges have been caught in the crossfire of the North Carolina legislature’s war on the judiciary.

Billy Corriher, Michele L. Jawando, Lukasz Grabowski

Do Progressives Take Communities of Color for Granted? Podcast

Do Progressives Take Communities of Color for Granted?

This week, Michele and Igor speak with Maria Hinojosa and Julio Ricardo Varela of the Futuro Media Group and discuss the progressive movement and gun violence.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Extreme Weather, Extreme Costs Report

Extreme Weather, Extreme Costs

An analysis of extreme storms from 2011 through 2017 finds that these events disproportionately harm low- and middle-income Americans.

Kristina Costa, Miranda Peterson, Howard Marano

BONUS EPISODE: What People Don’t Understand About Blackness Podcast

BONUS EPISODE: What People Don’t Understand About Blackness

In this bonus episode, Michele and Igor sit down with social justice advocates Brittany Packnett and Rashad Robinson to address topics pertaining to race and privilege.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Eric Holder on the Rollback of Justice Podcast

Eric Holder on the Rollback of Justice

This week, Michele and Igor sit down with former Attorney General Eric Holder to discuss Jeff Sessions' tenure at the helm of the Justice Department.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Recovering from Hurricane Maria Requires an Extensive Federal Response Article
Victims of Hurricane Maria carry supplies in Morovis, Puerto Rico, October 7, 2017. (AP/Ramon Espinosa)

Recovering from Hurricane Maria Requires an Extensive Federal Response

After weathering two devastating storms, Puerto Rico is still struggling to recover as the federal government fails to provide short-term and long-term relief.

Erin Cohan, Sarah Shapiro, Rebecca Cokley, 6 More Sarah Edelman, Gregg Gelzinis, Connor Maxwell, Scott Sargrad, Eliza Schultz, Cristina Novoa

A Framework for Local Action on Climate Change Report
Bicyclists ride along the streets of downtown Los Angeles on October 18, 2015. (AP/Richard Vogel)

A Framework for Local Action on Climate Change

As economic disparities and climate change risks rise, mayors must develop solutions that build resilient communities, create new economic opportunities, and support racial justice.

Cathleen Kelly, Cecilia Martinez, Walker Hathaway-Williams

Revisiting the Persistent Teacher Diversity Problem Article
A political science teacher leads students through a discussion of the verdicts in the Reginald Denny beating trial at a Los Angeles high school, October 18, 1993. (AP/Eric Draper)

Revisiting the Persistent Teacher Diversity Problem

The Center for American Progress’ latest analysis finds that the nation’s teacher workforce still lacks diversity.

Catherine Brown, Ulrich Boser

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

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

Social Media Is Designed to Sell You to Advertisers Podcast

Social Media Is Designed to Sell You to Advertisers

Michele and Igor sit down with comedian and author Baratunde Thurston to develop a better understanding of how social media forces its users to sell their identities to advertisers.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

America Needs More Teachers of Color and a More Selective Teaching Profession Report

America Needs More Teachers of Color and a More Selective Teaching Profession

States, teacher preparation programs, and alternative certification programs are taking steps to build a more diverse and selective pool of educators.

Lisette Partelow, Angie Spong, Catherine Brown, 1 More Stephenie Johnson

Mapping America’s Child Care Deserts Report

Mapping America’s Child Care Deserts

CAP’s geographic study of child care markets finds that approximately half of Americans across 22 states live in areas with an undersupply of child care options.

Rasheed Malik, Katie Hamm

Event Highlights: The Power of Black Media During the Trump Administration Video

Event Highlights: The Power of Black Media During the Trump Administration

The Center for American Progress and Progress 2050 recently hosted a conversation on the importance of black media and uplifting the voices of black journalists during the Trump administration.

Progress 2050

The Charlottesville I Know Podcast

The Charlottesville I Know

CAP staff discuss their personal experiences living in Charlottesville and attending UVA, the deep-rooted racism of the city, and what it looks like to create community in a hostile environment.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

ACA Repeal Would Have Disproportionately Harmed Women of Color Article
A woman holds her 2-month-old baby in Greenville, South Carolina, June 2014. (AP/Richard Shiro)

ACA Repeal Would Have Disproportionately Harmed Women of Color

Efforts to repeal the ACA would have made women of color more vulnerable as they sought to protect their health and provide for their families.

Heidi Williamson

Making America White Again Podcast

Making America White Again

Michele and Igor talk with Vanita Gupta, current president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, about the Department of Justice's recent announcements under the Trump administration.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Black Women Get It Done Podcast

Black Women Get It Done

This week on the podcast, Janaye Ingram and Alencia Johnson discuss the role of black women in the resistance movement.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

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

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

The Racist Origins of Private School Vouchers Report

The Racist Origins of Private School Vouchers

As the Trump administration brings private school vouchers to the national stage, policymakers must reflect on the history of this policy and consider its impact on vulnerable students.

Chris Ford, Stephenie Johnson, Lisette Partelow

Betsy DeVos: Secretary of Discrimination? Article
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos arrives to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland, February 2017. (AP/Susan Walsh)

Betsy DeVos: Secretary of Discrimination?

Just months into Betsy DeVos’ tenure as secretary of education, the department is already rolling back critical protections for vulnerable students.

Coleton Whitaker, Sejal Singh, Stephenie Johnson

Wage Discrimination: Behind the Numbers Article
A plaintiff, center, speaks after a news conference in the field office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to announce a settlement in their case in Denver, February 2016. (AP/David Zalubowski)

Wage Discrimination: Behind the Numbers

Understanding the breadth of wage discrimination charges is critical to ensuring that the United States pursues solutions responsive to the diverse needs of workers.

Jocelyn Frye, Kaitlin Holmes

The Most Painful Part of Our History Podcast

The Most Painful Part of Our History

Michele and Igor sit down with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and New York Times bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Are Today’s Students Prepared to Enter the Tech Industry? Article
A Google software engineer and a member of the Google In Residence program meet with students at Howard University in Washington, April 14, 2015. (AP/Molly Riley)

Are Today’s Students Prepared to Enter the Tech Industry?

The lack of networking and mentoring available to black and Hispanic college students decreases opportunities for careers in technology.

Maya Beasley

The Right Way to ‘Send in the Feds’ Report

The Right Way to ‘Send in the Feds’

The Trump administration must help states take advantage of the federal government’s limited, unique resources to emphasize crime prevention, instead of just promoting and enabling the ramp-up of arrests and incarcerations.

Ed Chung, Chelsea Parsons, Danyelle Solomon

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

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

There’s Going to Be a Racist in the White House? Well, Yeah Podcast

There’s Going to Be a Racist in the White House? Well, Yeah

Michele and Igor chat with Melissa Harris-Perry about the role of cable news in the 2016 election, the history of black women resisting in America, and the importance of making structural change.

Michele L. Jawando, Igor Volsky, Sally Tucker, 1 More Rachel Rosen

Isolated and Segregated Report

Isolated and Segregated

Far too many school districts are intensely segregated by income and socioeconomic status, but Americans are largely in support of change.

Ulrich Boser, Perpetual Baffour

Hands Off Our Air, Water, and Public Lands Article
Ana Maria Corona holds her asthma medication on August 7, 2007, in Arvin, California. (AP/Gary Kazanjian)

Hands Off Our Air, Water, and Public Lands

Trump’s budget is a governmentwide assault on public health, the nation’s coasts and outdoors, and energy innovation.

the CAP Energy and Environment Team

Five Truths About Voter Suppression Article
An election official checks a voter's photo identification at an early voting polling site in Austin, Texas, February 2014. (AP/Eric Gay)

Five Truths About Voter Suppression

Trump’s investigation of American voters is another pretext for further voter suppression, which is already depriving Americans of their right to vote.

Connor Maxwell, Danielle Root

Trump’s First 100 Days in 100 Seconds Video

Trump’s First 100 Days in 100 Seconds

Watch a 100-second run-down of Trump's chaotic first 100 days.

Center for American Progress

100 Ways, in 100 Days, that Trump Has Hurt Americans Article
President Donald Trump poses for a portrait in the Oval Office in Washington, April 2017 (AP/Andrew Harnik)

100 Ways, in 100 Days, that Trump Has Hurt Americans

Trump’s actions during his first 100 days in office have time and again benefitted corporations and the wealthy at the expense of ordinary Americans.

Center for American Progress

Trump’s Avoidance of Black Press Reveals Tense Relations Article
White House Director of Communications for the Office of Public Liaison Omarosa Manigault, right, walks past President Donald Trump in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, March 2017. (AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Trump’s Avoidance of Black Press Reveals Tense Relations

In the black press’ dealings with the new administration, as throughout its history, it struggles for respect from public officials while pressing for responses to readers’ concerns.

Paul Delaney

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

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

Stop Playing Politics with People’s Lives Article
A University of Maryland Medical Center infection control specialist inspects the catheter on a shock trauma center patient on November 17, 2010, in Baltimore. (AP/Rob Carr)

Stop Playing Politics with People’s Lives

We need a health care system that delivers care with compassion and guards the right to affordable, effective health care.

Taison Bell

Reproductive Justice Beyond Biology Article
A woman walks on a street in Baltimore, February 6, 2012. (AP/Patrick Semansky)

Reproductive Justice Beyond Biology

Loretta J. Ross on the need for a more comprehensive understanding of how public policies affecting a woman’s autonomy over her body have implications beyond just issues of birth control, abortion, and sterilization.

Loretta J. Ross

A Black History Lesson for the Ages Article
President Donald Trump meets with leaders of historically black colleges and universities in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, February 27, 2017. ((AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais))

A Black History Lesson for the Ages

A group of HBCU presidents failed to share their history of struggle with the president but endured grossly out-of-touch remarks from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and an embarrassing photo op as Black History Month ends.

Sam Fulwood III

African American Students Deserve a High-Quality Education Article
A teacher talks to a student during a class for first-graders at a learning center in Chicago, September 1993. ((AP/Mark Elias))

African American Students Deserve a High-Quality Education

Although African American students have made significant progress since the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, access to high-quality public education is still a challenge for many.

Progress 2050

President Trump Has Cheapened the Dignity of His Office Article
A woman holds up her cell phone before a rally with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in Bedford, New Hampshire, September 29, 2016. ((AP/John Locher))

President Trump Has Cheapened the Dignity of His Office

The president’s recent comments and behavior serve to undermine the nation’s democratic ideals and foster a creeping sense of nihilism about the institutions that serve public interests.

Sam Fulwood III

States of Change Report

States of Change

Simulations indicate that the most successful route for minimizing future representation gaps lies in equalizing registration and turnout rates across races.

Rob Griffin, William H. Frey, Ruy Teixeira

The Real Effect of Trump’s Muslim Ban Article
Abdullah Alghazali, right, hugs his 13-year-old son Ali Abdullah Alghazali after the Yemeni boy arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Sunday, February 5, 2017. (AP/Alexander F. Yuan)

The Real Effect of Trump’s Muslim Ban

President Donald Trump’s Muslim ban keeps innocent people from traveling to the United States, but does little to make the United States safer.

Sam Fulwood III

Beyond ‘Law and Order’ Article
Attorney General-designate Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) takes his seat at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 10, 2017. (AP/Alex Brandon)

Beyond ‘Law and Order’

With Jeff Sessions as attorney general, dangerous and outdated “law and order” policies would stymie criminal justice reform.

Ed Chung, Danyelle Solomon

Bending Toward Justice Article
People walk past a mural of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Katlehong, south of Johannesburg, South Africa, May 2015. ((AP/Themba Hadebe))

Bending Toward Justice

The rise of Donald Trump possesses parallels to apartheid South Africa—but the best course of action in the face of dangerous political setbacks is to stand in unwavering opposition at every turn.

Sam Fulwood III

Diversifying and Strengthening Our National Security Workforce Article
Cadets attend their graduation and commissioning ceremony at the U.S. Military Academy on May 21, 2016. (AP/Mike Groll)

Diversifying and Strengthening Our National Security Workforce

Federal agencies must sustain the efforts undertaken by President Barack Obama to ensure that the U.S. national security workforce reflects the talent and experience of the entire country.

Trevor Sutton, Carolyn Kenney

The Complex American Response to Castro’s Death Article
Cuban President Fidel Castro, right, and South African leader Nelson Mandela celebrate the Day of the Revolution in Matanzas, Cuba, on July 27, 1991. (AP)

The Complex American Response to Castro’s Death

Varying reactions to Castro’s death offer a somber reminder that oppression and opportunity, often coded by ethnicity and race, are not always clear-cut diametric opposites.

Sam Fulwood III

Making Paid Leave Work for Every Family Report
Gregg Pitts feeds his son Thomas Brunson-Pitts, 6 months, a bottle as his husband Brooks Brunson gets ready for work at their home in Washington, D.C., on May 19, 2016. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

Making Paid Leave Work for Every Family

Inconsistent and restrictive family definitions have historically marginalized many families, but improvements can be made to serve a fuller range of diverse family structures, especially LGBTQ families.

Moira Bowman, Laura E. Durso, Sharita Gruberg, 5 More Marcella Kocolatos, Kalpana Krishnamurthy, Jared Make, Ashe McGovern, Katherine Gallagher Robbins

Debbie Allen on the Intersection of Art and Advocacy Video

Debbie Allen on the Intersection of Art and Advocacy

Actress Debbie Allen's new musical, "Freeze Frame…Stop the Madness," takes a look at race and justice in America and the role of art in social change.

Andrew Satter, Aki Suzuki

The Ambitious Activism of Debbie Allen Article
Debbie Allen speaks at the Opening Ceremony of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games on July 25, 2015, in Los Angeles. (AP/Rich Fury)

The Ambitious Activism of Debbie Allen

At a recent CAP event, award-winning entertainer Debbie Allen discussed her latest project, “Freeze Frame,” and her hope that it will lead to action in the fight against gun violence.

Sam Fulwood III

Maximizing the Power of Women of Color Article
African American female business leaders attend the Essence Festival at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum on July 2, 2016, in New Orleans. (AP/Cheryl Gerber)

Maximizing the Power of Women of Color

The representation of women of color in corporate America and political office should reflect their growing economic and electoral power.

Danyelle Solomon

This Election Day, Americans Cannot Afford to Take a Seat Article
Voters fill out their ballots at the Hamilton County Board of Elections as early voting begins statewide, Wednesday, October 12, 2016, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (AP/John Minchillo)

This Election Day, Americans Cannot Afford to Take a Seat

Divisive rhetoric harms many diverse groups—including women, Muslims, and those perceived to be Muslim—and Americans must use their vote to speak up.

Anisha Singh

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

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

Supporting Two-Spirit/Native American LGBT People Article
Cleo Pablo and her wife, Tara Roy-Pablo, stand outside their home in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 9, 2015. (AP/Matt York)

Supporting Two-Spirit/Native American LGBT People

A growing number of tribal leaders and organizations affirm two-spirit tribal citizens through policy and action.

Aaron Ridings, Se-ah-dom Edmo

Two-Spirit/Native American LGBT People Interactive

Two-Spirit/Native American LGBT People

This interactive map of the United States highlights Native American tribes' historical terms for two-spirit people, which refers to the historical and current indigenous people whose individual spirits are a blend of female and male spirits.

Aaron Ridings

A Progressive Agenda for Inclusive and Diverse Entrepreneurship Report
A pedestrian crosses a street in the main business section of Montezuma, Georgia, April 2014. (AP/David Goldman)

A Progressive Agenda for Inclusive and Diverse Entrepreneurship

Women and people of color face significant structural barriers to starting a small business and have lower rates of business ownership, but progressive policies that expand access to capital and support entrepreneurial education can help overcome these barriers.

Kate Bahn, Regina Willensky Benjamin, Annie McGrew

The Path to 270 in 2016, Revisited Report

The Path to 270 in 2016, Revisited

Will fundamentals trump the candidates in determining the election outcome—or vice versa?

Ruy Teixeira, John Halpin, Rob Griffin

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

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

The Missing Conversation About Work and Family Report
Sandi Webster, owner of Consultants 2 Go, poses in her office in Newark, New Jersey, on September 24, 2013. (AP/Julio Cortez)

The Missing Conversation About Work and Family

Expanding the work-family narrative to be more inclusive of women’s diverse experiences is essential to developing policies responsive to the needs of all women.

Jocelyn Frye

Protecting the Right to Vote in the 2016 Elections Article
Voters stand in line at an early voting site in Charlotte, North Carolina, in October 2008. (AP/Chuck Burton)

Protecting the Right to Vote in the 2016 Elections

Cutbacks to the nation’s federal election observer program have created an even greater need for community election protections.

Liz Kennedy, Hannah Parnes

Top 5 Ways for Public Schools to Better Support Talented Students of Color Article
Students read outside of their classroom on June 4, 2009, in Homestead, Florida. (AP/Wilfredo Lee)

Top 5 Ways for Public Schools to Better Support Talented Students of Color

Students of color continue to be underrepresented in rigorous and selective academic programs, and schools must work to ensure that talented students of color are adequately supported and challenged.

Cherry Mullaguru

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

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

Racial and Gender Diversity Sorely Lacking in America’s Courts Article
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor gives a talk in Washington, D.C., on June 1, 2016. (AP/Cliff Owen)

Racial and Gender Diversity Sorely Lacking in America’s Courts

Voters of color in Alabama and Texas are suing their states, claiming that they have no representation in judicial elections.

Michele L. Jawando, Allie Anderson

Hate and Discrimination in the Wake of September 11 Article
The Tribute in Light rises above the lower Manhattan skyline on September 10, 2016, in New York. (AP/Mark Lennihan)

Hate and Discrimination in the Wake of September 11

The association of Muslims with terrorists in the wake of the 9/11 attacks continues to affect the nation in myriad ways.

Anumita Kaur

A Blending American Youth Interactive

A Blending American Youth

Decades of immigration have altered the racial and ethnic makeup of the United States, and it is today’s children who will be the vanguards of this new, diverse America.

Rob Griffin, Ruy Teixeira, William H. Frey

Stepping Away from Racism Article
A congregation member prays at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, June 3, 2012. (AP/Gerald Herbert)

Stepping Away from Racism

Purging prejudice from the pews will move America closer toward a long overdue racial reconciliation.

Sam Fulwood III

Expanding Support Systems for Socially Isolated LGBT and American Indian Seniors Article
An elderly woman takes pictures of a gay pride parade on July 9, 2016. (AP/Jorge Saenz)

Expanding Support Systems for Socially Isolated LGBT and American Indian Seniors

Adequate social and economic support is essential to ensure the economic security, health, and well-being of vulnerable seniors and their caregivers.

Laura E. Durso, Katherine Gallagher Robbins, Ashe McGovern, 2 More Shabab Ahmed Mirza, Jackie Odum

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

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

Underpaid and Unequal Report
An assistant teacher reads to students at a pre-K school in Seattle, February 12, 2016. (AP/Elaine Thompson)

Underpaid and Unequal

The early childhood workforce as a whole is grossly underpaid. New CAP analyses suggest that female African American teachers who work full time earn even less than their white counterparts.

Rebecca Ullrich, Katie Hamm, Rachel Herzfeldt-Kamprath

African American Women in the U.S. Economy Fact Sheet
A woman works with Malian mud cloth for her fashion accessories and home decor items in Camden, New Jersey, August 2, 2016. (AP/Mel Evans)

African American Women in the U.S. Economy

African American women are increasingly vital to the health of the U.S. economy and the economic security of their families, yet they experience significant pay disparities and face unique barriers in the workplace that can undermine their ability to thrive.

Kaitlin Holmes, Jocelyn Frye

Why Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Matters Article
A Georgia Department of Labor services specialist helps a woman with a job search at an unemployment office in Atlanta on March 3, 2016. (AP/David Goldman)

Why Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Matters

Wage equality is a key issue for Millennials. But for young black women, it is not only a concern, it is a determining factor in their quality of life.

Gabrielle Bozarth, Naomi Kellogg

Police Gone Wild Article
Police advance toward protestors as a store burns following the funeral of Freddie Gray on April 27, 2015, in Baltimore. (AP/Patrick Semansky)

Police Gone Wild

The U.S. Department of Justice’s report on Baltimore chronicles yet another police department that routinely abused its power and violated the civil rights of African Americans.

Sam Fulwood III

A Voting Rights Story Report
North Carolina NAACP president Rev. William Barber, center at podium, speaks at a news conference in Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday, June 21, 2016. (AP/Steve Helber)

A Voting Rights Story

Over his nearly 50 years in the North Carolina state legislator, Rep. Mickey Michaux helped increase voting rights and participation. However, recent efforts in the state are putting these advances at risk.

Sam Fulwood III

When Words Fail Us Article
Protesters link arms as they block an intersection in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta during a march against the recent police shootings of African Americans on Monday, July 11, 2016. (AP/David Goldman)

When Words Fail Us

Practical policy reforms—not just more conversation—are needed to address the recent violence between police and the African American community.

Sam Fulwood III

The Ongoing Battle to Protect the Precious Right to Vote Article
A voter walks toward an empty bank of voting stations at a polling place in Seattle on the day of Washington state's 2008 presidential primary. (AP/Elaine Thompson)

The Ongoing Battle to Protect the Precious Right to Vote

Americans are sick and tired of being sick and tired of waiting on Congress to act and ensure the right to vote for all.

Danyelle Solomon, Michele L. Jawando

Economic Security for Black and Hispanic Families Report
Shelton Haynes, 33, far right, sits with his wife Tiisha and sons Jamir, 2, right, and Jayden, 4, while with his father Cleveland Haynes Jr., left, on a visit to his parents' home, in Duluth, Georgia, February 2011. (AP/David Goldman)

Economic Security for Black and Hispanic Families

Black and Hispanic families face unique economic pressures, and conservative policies and obstruction continue to harm families of color.

Molly Cain, Sunny Frothingham

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