When I was a civil servant, I learned that public policy is not based on a static model. It is constantly being informed by new trends, opportunities, and challenges. The current focus on racial equity at the federal level is an important milestone, and we shouldn’t take it for granted.

Just as the nation’s civil rights victories were the result of hard work, long-suffering, and sacrifice, the imperative to advance racial equity through federal institutions is a long-term commitment. In February 2021, President Biden said “democracy doesn’t happen by accident. We have to defend it, fight for it, strengthen it, renew it.”

At Race Forward, we believe racial equity is the cornerstone to a healthy, multi-racial society where everyone can thrive. Encouraging racial equity doesn’t distract from good governance at the federal level. Instead, it brings serious issues into focus so that federal institutions are not overwhelmed by blind-spots.

Race Forward is encouraged by President Biden’s historic mandate to embed equity across the breadth and depth of government at the federal level, and we are committed to supporting the federal government as it does this work. For nearly a decade, Race Forward has helped to build a growing community of practice in local jurisdictions. Now, the federal government can draw from this wealth of experience.

In 2021, Race Forward launched the Federal Initiative to Govern for Racial Equity (F.I.R.E.) in partnership with our peers at PolicyLink. Within twelve months, F.I.R.E. completed a pilot with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; published two new guides for federal audiences; and initiated “Communities First” which encourages government and philanthropy to center the leadership, innovation, and priorities of communities of color. 

We live in a country that has always been “a market-place of ideas”. We need your partnership more than ever, because equity is the work of right now. Your support of Race Forward helps us continue to build a stronger, deeper democracy that brings the values of equity and justice to life. 

In solidarity,

Carlton Eley

Senior Director for Federal Strategies, Race Forward

PS - To learn more about the frameworks we’ve crafted to support equity practitioners in federal agencies, download our Organizing for Racial Equity Resource Guide and our Advancing Racial Equity Resource Guide