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

Donate

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

Harris and Walz Work Hard To Improve Public Health and Safety During the Opioid Epidemic, While Trump Lies and Undermines Efforts To Save Lives Article
Harris and Walz descend steps leading from plane

Harris and Walz Work Hard To Improve Public Health and Safety During the Opioid Epidemic, While Trump Lies and Undermines Efforts To Save Lives

Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz have supported evidence-based law enforcement and public health measures to address the opioid epidemic, while former President Trump has blocked bipartisan border security legislation, falsely blamed immigrants, and jeopardized access to treatment.

Harris Has Long Supported Both Law Enforcement and Community Collaborations That Keep People Safe Article
Vice President Kamala Harris shakes hands with a Houston police officer. Other first responders are behind Harris.

Harris Has Long Supported Both Law Enforcement and Community Collaborations That Keep People Safe

Contrary to Republicans’ attacks, Vice President Kamala Harris has never defunded the police, but rather has demonstrated her commitment to comprehensive public safety by supporting police to address serious crime and investing in community collaborations that are preventing crime across the country.

Center for American Progress Action Fund staff

Kamala Harris Knows How To Make Communities Safer Article
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during an event commemorating the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Kamala Harris Knows How To Make Communities Safer

Throughout her career, Kamala Harris has consistently delivered real solutions to keep communities safe by holding people accountable for serious crime, investing in crime prevention, and leading the country to a significant decline in violent crime.

Lindsey McLendon

Lindsey McLendon on Public Safety in America Podcast

Lindsey McLendon on Public Safety in America

Lindsey McLendon, senior fellow for Criminal Justice Reform at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, joins the show to talk about public safety, including crime trends, drivers, and evidence-based solutions to improve accountability and justice.

Earth Day Special: Trevor Higgins on Combating Climate Change Podcast

Earth Day Special: Trevor Higgins on Combating Climate Change

Trevor Higgins, senior vice president of Energy and Environment at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, joins the show to discuss climate policy wins and saving the planet.

Preston Mitchum on Advocacy, Representation, and Black History Month Podcast

Preston Mitchum on Advocacy, Representation, and Black History Month

This week on “The Tent,” Preston Mitchum discusses Black History Month and the need for intersectional advocacy; CAP Action’s Allison McManus also joins for a conversation on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Cities in Blue States Experiencing Larger Declines in Gun Violence in 2023 Report
A large park is seen before the Chicago city skyline.

Cities in Blue States Experiencing Larger Declines in Gun Violence in 2023

Original analysis from the Center for American Progress Action Fund shows that, on average, cities in blue states have lower rates of gun homicides and shooting incidents than comparably sized cities in red states and are seeing larger single-year decreases in gun violence rates in 2023.

Chandler Hall

What It’s Like to Be an LGBTQ+ High Schooler in DeSantis’s Florida In the News
cap-action-social-share

What It’s Like to Be an LGBTQ+ High Schooler in DeSantis’s Florida

Florida high school student Cameron Driggers explains how Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R-FL) policies affect LGBTQ+ students like him. He warns that a potential DeSantis presidency would bring extremist policies to Americans everywhere.

the Advocate

Cameron Driggers

Jamal Simmons on Black Progressive Leadership and Fighting for All Americans Podcast

Jamal Simmons on Black Progressive Leadership and Fighting for All Americans

Daniella and Colin sit down with Jamal Simmons to discuss the work of Black progressive leaders in Congress and the White House, President Joe Biden's economic agenda, and MAGA Republican attacks on racial equity and rights.

A message for Texas Republicans: Gun violence is the problem In the News
cap-action-social-share

A message for Texas Republicans: Gun violence is the problem

Texas teacher, mother, and gun owner Danielle Navarro calls on Republicans to support commonsense gun laws in an op-ed. Navarro hopes for a country free from the terror of senseless gun violence for her children and all students.

The Dallas Morning News

Danielle Navarro

The education investments we need to make In the News
cap-action-social-share

The education investments we need to make

In an op-ed, Akilah Alleyne argues that the United States has an urgent need to invest in schools and teachers. Alleyne argues that MAGA extremists are trying to brush past the investment challenges facing our schools and instead they focus their efforts on pushing for book bans.

CNN

Akilah Alleyne

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in North Carolina Fact Sheet
Photo shows crime scene tape stretching across a neighborhood street.

Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in North Carolina

Amid a 20 percent surge in gun deaths across North Carolina from 2016 to 2020, Ted Budd made more than $4 million by flooding the state with guns.

the Center for American Progress Action Fund

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

Load More

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.