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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Recent work

Latest

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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.

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

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