Two weeks ago, President Biden took bold action and made history by announcing a second executive order for racial equity. Executive Order 14091, Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government, strengthens and codifies the Administration’s day-one Executive Order (13985) issued in 2021 — which for the first time in the nation’s history established equity requirements for federal agencies, including agency Equity Action Plans (EAPs).

"We commend the Biden-Harris Administration, agency leadership, and career staff for their commitment to ensuring that the federal government's resources, power, and purview work for everyone, especially the nearly 100 million Americans prevented from experiencing financial security — a vastly disproportionate number of whom are people of color,” said Jessica Pizarek, Director of Federal Policy and Advocacy at PolicyLink. “The equity action planning and implementation supported by the executive orders illustrate the power of a federal governing agenda that acknowledges the persistence of structural and institutional racism, and pursues a more just nation by centering racially equitable policy priorities.”

After a detailed review of 30 EAPs initiated under Executive Order 13985, PolicyLink and Race Forward are excited to share our findings in our new report Assessment of Federal Equity Action Plans. This report revisits the process established through Executive Order 13985 and considers the strengths and areas for improvement in these first-ever federal government EAPs using the following guiding principles outlined in the PolicyLink report, For Love of Country: A Path for the Federal Government to Advance Racial Equity:

1. Understand and acknowledge the federal government’s role in impacting society at a wide scale to this day — whether positive, negative, or seemingly neutral.
    
2. Target the fundamental root drivers of gaps and inequities, and prioritize the people who have traditionally been excluded, recognizing these investments will benefit all.
    
3. Leverage the expertise and experiences of all to promote equity, particularly leaders of color and their communities.
    
4. Acknowledge that the scale and complexity of reaching racial equity will require ongoing commitment, action, and adjustments to drive meaningful change and strengthen our democracy.
    
5. Build public trust and accountability in the long-term commitment for racial equity through data-driven decision-making and outcome tracking.

The report concludes by offering recommendations for how an EAP process may be strengthened as agencies continue to implement and adapt their strategies — including as they respond to the newly issued Executive Order 14091.  

At their core, Executive Orders 13985 and 14091 demonstrate what governing for every person in the United States looks like: not merely committing to serve them, but actively building the enduring governing practices to see that commitment come to life. The directives in these orders bring us closer to becoming a nation in which all people in America — particularly those who face the burdens of structural racism — can participate in a flourishing multiracial democracy, prosper in an equitable economy, and live in thriving communities of opportunity. 

It is our hope that this assessment might support leaders across federal agencies as they continue to advance racial justice at the federal level. Through this continued work, we can build a democracy that governs all and supports a society where all people can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.