Advancing Racial Equity and Justice

We apply a racial equity lens in developing and advancing policies that aim to root out entrenched systemic racism to ensure everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

People stand before a mural honoring people of peace in a Black district in Philadelphia on September 15, 2013. (Getty/Frédéric Soltan)

What We're Doing

Closing the racial wealth gap and building an equitable economy

Centuries of government policies have systematically deprived communities of color of economic opportunity, leading to a persistent, growing racial wealth gap. CAP Action develops and advances policies to combat the root causes of the racial wealth gap and promote a more equitable, vibrant economy for all.

Supporting the Equitable and Just National Climate Platform

Long-standing racial and environmental injustices disproportionately expose communities of color to climate pollution. CAP Action develops and advocates for climate policies that ensure communities of color benefit from the transition to clean energy.

Eliminating racial disparities and strengthening health systems

Structural racism causes inequities in health systems and disparities in health outcomes. It also negatively affects numerous social determinants of health. CAP Action develops and furthers policies to reduce racial disparities in health and foster more accessible, affordable, and equitable health systems.

Promoting a representative, responsive, and inclusive democracy

Online disinformation and hate; white supremacist violence and rhetoric; and voter subversion and suppression undermine democracy and entrench systemic inequities. CAP Action develops policies to foster an effective, accountable, and representative democracy to meet the needs and improve the lives of all Americans.

Center for American Progress Action

Turning Bold Ideas Into Effective Policies

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By the numbers

$838K

The absolute dollar wealth gap between Black households and white households

CAP, “Eliminating the Black-White Gap Is a Generational Challenge” (2021).

75%

People of color’s exposure to fine particulate matter emitted by almost every fossil fuel source

Science Advances, “PM2.5 polluters disproportionately and systemically affect people of color in the United States” (2021).

4.1x

Hispanic or Latinos more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19 than their white peers

CDC, “Risk for COVID-19 Infection, Hospitalization, and Death By Race/Ethnicity.”

4,939

Hate crimes in 2020 where a victim was targeted because of their race, ethnicity, or ancestry

FBI, “Hate Crime Statistics.”

Recent work

Latest

Compact View

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in Texas Fact Sheet
A father and his daughter pay their respects to those lost during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School.

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in Texas

Even after several high-profile mass shootings in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott continues to weaken the state's gun crime laws; gun deaths have surged 44 percent during his time in office.

the Center for American Progress Action Fund

Fact Sheet: The Truth ​A​bout Violent Crime in Minnesota Fact Sheet
Photo showing a woman holding a candle and a sign that reads

Fact Sheet: The Truth ​A​bout Violent Crime in Minnesota

Violent crime in Minnesota is increasingly fueled by guns, with the share of murders committed with a firearm increasing 27 percent and statewide gun sales surging a stunning 180 percent in the past decade.

the Center for American Progress Action Fund

The Truth About Violent Crime in Oregon Fact Sheet
A demonstrator's sign is seen during the

The Truth About Violent Crime in Oregon

Violent crime in Oregon is increasingly fueled by gun violence, with the share of murders committed with a gun in Portland surging 25 percent in recent years. Christine Drazan and Betsy Johnson would only make things worse.

the Center for American Progress Action Fund

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in Florida Fact Sheet
Activists participate in the second

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in Florida

MAGA Republicans in Florida have driven a massive surge in gun-related violence, with gun crime increasing 20 percent since Gov. DeSantis took office.

the Center for American Progress Action Fund

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in Pennsylvania Fact Sheet
Police tape hangs from a barricade at the corner of 3rd and South Street in Philadelphia.

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s violence problem is increasingly a gun violence problem: While homicides have decreased over the past decade, the share due to guns has increased by 13 percent. MAGA Republicans would make it worse.

the Center for American Progress Action Fund

Blame Republicans for High Crime Rates In the News

Blame Republicans for High Crime Rates

In a letter to the editor, Patrick Gaspard argues that Republicans are misattributing a rise in gun violence and violent crime to decreased police funding and criminal justice reforms rather than to weakened gun laws.

the New York Times

Patrick Gaspard

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in Georgia Fact Sheet
A man wearing a shirt endorsing

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in Georgia

Brian Kemp made dangerous gun laws a key part of his campaign for governor in 2018—and since taking office, he has doubled down on these policies: Under Kemp’s watch, the number of homicides in Georgia has surged a stunning 23 percent.

the Center for American Progress Action Fund

Fact Sheet: The Truth About Violent Crime in Clark County Fact Sheet
President Trump delivers remarks at Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters.

Fact Sheet: The Truth About Violent Crime in Clark County

Donald Trump has blamed Gov. Steve Sisolak for what he calls a “cesspool of crime” in Nevada, but it's his fellow Republican Joe Lombardo who oversaw a record spike in murders while serving as Clark County sheriff.

the Center for American Progress Action Fund

The GOP’s myth of an ‘open border’ In the News

The GOP’s myth of an ‘open border’

Debu Gandhi debunks the “open border” myth and discusses why Congress must act on a bipartisan basis to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

NBC News Think

Debu Gandhi

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in Wisconsin Fact Sheet
People join a rally in Janesville, Wisconsin, to show support for students who finished the last leg of a 50-mile journey calling attention to gun violence.

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in Wisconsin

Gov. Tony Evers’ veto of MAGA Republican laws has prevented an even more severe rise in gun violence.

the Center for American Progress Action Fund

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