Recent events have brought the topic of immigration back into the headlines –– the upcoming 11th anniversary of DACA, changing rules at the federal level that will impact future asylum seekers, and widespread reports of child labor affecting migrant children. 

For three years, since launching in June 2020, Race Forward’s Butterfly Lab for Immigrant Narrative Strategy has worked with thousands of leaders and practitioners, trained movement organizations, supported narrative projects, and shared game-changing frameworks and tools to advance pro-immigrant narratives that recognize and honor the humanity of our immigrant communities. 

During this time, thousands of narrative leaders and practitioners joined the public webinars, downloaded the reports, and rallied their organizations to integrate and align narrative strategy and build narrative capacity. 

Though the Butterfly Lab has come to a close, we invite you to be a part of the continuing movement for immigrant rights and make use of the resources the Butterfly Lab team developed through the three years of the program. 

The resources include: 

• Phase 1 and Phase 2 Reports, Toolkit, and Research Findings
• Narrative Strategy Tools and Resources 
• Follow the Chrysalis Lab grantees and learn more about their projects
• Watch the replay of “A Future for All of Us: Part 2 The Butterfly Lab for Immigrant Narrative Strategy”

The original mission and vision of the Butterfly Lab was to advance pro-immigrant narratives, compel action to confront attacks on migrants, refugees, and immigrants, support humane and transformative action, and join together in building enduring pro-immigrant policies. Race Forward is proud to have supported the Butterfly Lab team, and its supporters and allies in advancing this important work.

Check out our latest below!

Race Forward and PolicyLink's Report on Federal Equity Action Plans 

Last month, President Biden announced his second historic Executive Order 14091, Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government, mandating racial equity across policy and practice within the federal government. Our team in partnership with PolicyLink has released our review of a sample of the Equity Action Plans (EAPs) presented early last year by federal agencies. 

The release of this report is another important step in advancing equity at the federal level. As President Biden mentioned in announcing the executive order, America cannot achieve its greatest potential until it is a society where all of us have the opportunity  to thrive and prosper.

[Momentum] "Us" Standing Up For Honest Education: A Conversation From Florida

On this episode of Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast, Marsha Guthrie, Deputy Director of Race Forward’s Government Alliance on Race and Equity’s Network Strategies, and Dr. Maria Cole, co-founder of Common Purpose, come together to share their experiences organizing in Florida for inclusive, free, and honest public education. 

Marsha and Dr. Cole talk about the importance of organizing deliberately, the implementation of strategies that create a visibility of the groups being affected, and building power through local elections and partnerships with elected officials

Staff Picks

In these times, it's important to share the things that keep us going. In this edition, we hear from our Outreach and Marketing Director for Federal Strategies, Sloane Kali Faye. 

"Santé by Belgian artist Stromae is a song that pays tribute to everyday people and workers. The song is sung in French, which allows me to appreciate the musicality and artistic sincerity on a deeper level." 

Credit: Interscope Records

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In solidarity,

Team Race Forward