African Americans’ unique, monumental contributions touch every realm of human endeavor and achievement.
At the Urban Institute, we’ve been reflecting on our work over the past month, looking to elevate a key question: How do we emphasize undisputed Black achievement in a nation that still reveals stubborn racial inequities—the inequities we diligently investigate here at Urban?
So, we decided to address both. Our month-end reflection throws a spotlight on our substantial body of racial equity research and celebrates some of the Black researchers at Urban who bring their trenchant analyses, perspectives, and voices to the complex African American experience and the challenges facing our nation as a whole.
We believe these selections are among Urban’s best efforts to bring unbiased, authoritative analysis and insight that can improve public policy, strengthen communities, close racial gaps, and transform people’s lives for the better.
We salute these Urban researchers and their contributions to the Urban Institute’s body of work.
Racial disparities in the US emerge from a long history of discriminatory policies, programs, and practices and from ongoing patterns of systemic racism. Calling out these root causes of racial disparities is the first step toward solutions.
Young men of color are a talented, resilient, and culturally rich population whose potential has not yet been fully tapped. A new Urban report shares important lessons and elevates promising approaches for dismantling barriers, promoting empowerment, and improving economic opportunities for young men of color.
New investments can revitalize communities that have been historically excluded from economic opportunities. Kimberly Burrowes explains why policymakers must confront the legacy of disinvestment in these communities—and intentionally promote racial equity—to fulfill promises of revitalization.
Equity and inclusion are important in shaping a community’s social and economic profile. Marla McDaniel and colleagues describe key lessons from incorporating equity and inclusion training into community change initiatives in three high-poverty neighborhoods.
Under Senator Cory Booker’s (D-NJ) “baby bonds” proposal, every newborn would receive an initial endowment of $1,000 from the government. Then, a formula would set annual contributions. Kilolo Kijakazi and Alexander Carther explore how baby bonds work and how they can be used to narrow the racial wealth gap.
The enduring racial and gender wealth gaps in the US were established by policies, programs, and institutional practices. In her recent testimony before the US House of Representatives Financial Services Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion, Kilolo Kijakazi marshals the evidence for equitable policy solutions needed to close the racial and gender wealth gaps.
Closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap in Chicago and other areas requires a long-term, multifaceted commitment. Steven Brown and colleagues examine state and local strategies to build assets, reduce delinquent debt, and restructure wealth-building efforts in communities of color.
The IRS does not ask for a tax filer’s race or ethnicity on tax forms, but that doesn’t mean the tax system affects all people the same way. The Tax Policy Center’s
feature and blog post
explore how the federal income tax code interacts with existing racial inequities.
