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K-12 Education Initiatives
Advancement Project
Advancement Project is working on a new initiative in alliance with Padres Unidos of Colorado and the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro (North Carolina) to increase the access of five multiracial communities to quality K-12 education.
Contact: Monique Dixon, mdixon@advancementproject.org, 202-728-9557 x305.
Our Community Justice Resource Center (CJRC) serves as the foundation of the infrastructure of support we offer for those engaged in multi-racial legal and civic action. Advancement Project developed the Community Justice Resource Center as our primary vehicle for maximizing and extending the lessons from our experiences on the ground and the work of other practitioners around the country. The CJRC's goal is to support, connect, and develop community-centered lawyers and activists who work in partnership on efforts toward a just democracy. Ultimately, we seek to create a nationwide network of local organizations and practitioners who share information, strategies, and, where possible and appropriate, coordinate their work.
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The Center for Civil Rights at the University of North Carolina
The Center for Civil Rights at the University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill School of Law is advancing affirmative action—in collaboration with a group of elite colleges and universities—through the development of criteria for admission that place a premium on students who have attended diverse high schools. Responding to the alarming, nationwide trend back to segregated public schools, especially in the South, the Center is conducting research on parental criteria for choosing K-12 schools for their children to attend and is committed to taking significant action to promote racial and economic diversity in all public learning environments.Contact: Catherine Pierce, cpierce@email.unc.edu, 919-843-5463.
The Center is committed to the advancement of civil rights and social justice, especially in the American South. It fosters empirical and analytical research, sponsors student inquiry and activities, and convenes faculty, visiting scholars, policy advocates, and practicing attorneys to confront legal and social issues of greatest concern to racial and ethnic minorities, to the poor, and to other potential beneficiaries of civil rights advances. The Center's work focuses on education, housing and community development, economic justice, and voting rights. In October, the UNC Center for Civil Rights, the North Carolina Law Review, the UNC School of Education, and the UNC Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity hosted High Poverty Schooling in America: Lessons in Second Class Citizenship? Conference panels focused on legal remedies, educational possibilities, and fiscal strategies.
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Student Action with Farmworkers (SAF)
Student Action with Farmworkers (SAF) brings together students and farmworkers to focus on expanding educational opportunities for migrant youth in North Carolina through formation of broad coalitions and partnerships. Through the Adelante Education Coalition www.adelantenc.org, SAF works with five advocacy, organizing, and community organizations to increase educational opportunities and address educational discrimination and disparity faced by Latino and migrant youth in North Carolina. The members of the Adelante Education Coalition include the Center for Participatory Change, El Pueblo, Latino Coalition, NC Justice Center, NC Society of Hispanic Professionals, and SAF.The goals of the coalition are to:
1) Create a consciousness among North Carolinians that is supportive and welcoming to Latino and migrant families, thus enabling their children to succeed through education.
2) Support Latino and migrant students and their families to gain the tools, information, support, and motivation they need for educational success.
3) Ensure that North Carolina state and local educational systems are held accountable to providing a quality and equitable education to Latino and migrant students that is characterized by equality, dignity, and respect.
Contact: Melinda Wiggins, mwiggins@duke.edu, 919-660-3616
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Labor Campaigns
Center for Community Alternatives (CCA)
Fulfilling the Dream for All is a new and exciting project of the Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) and the Legal Action Center (LAC). Its goal is to identify and remove structural and institutional barriers to higher education and employment opportunities for low-income, people of color who have criminal histories. For more information about the Fulfilling the Dream for All project contact: Alan Rosenthal, Director Justice Strategies, Center for Community Alternatives, 315.422.5638 ext. 227.One of the preliminary initiatives being worked on as a result of this new collaboration is the promotion of a series of policy recommendations to increase post secondary educational opportunities for people with criminal records in New York State. Click here to read the recommendations to New York State education and criminal justice policymakers. If you or your organization is interested in supporting this initiative, please contact gmartin@hirenetwork.org.
People of color are significantly and disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system making the structural and institutional barriers to education and employment for people with criminal justice records a civil rights concerns. A criminal record has become a surrogate for race-based discrimination throughout the U.S., serving the same function as did the Black Codes and Jim Crow in earlier times.
As a Dream Fund grantee, CCA and LAC will, over the next two years, work to document the institutional and structural exclusions in higher education and employment that target people with criminal records, build alliances with the civil rights community and others to take up these issues and together advocate for the reform of federal and state laws that create bars and barriers.
Through the National Hire Network (HIRE), LAC publishes a variety of manuals and handbooks that are useful for employers, service providers and individuals interesting in overcoming discrimination based on their criminal, history. HIRE has also produced a 50 State Report Card, which catalogues and ranks states based on the amount of statutory barriers to reintegration. These publications are available at www.hirenetwork.org.
Through Justice Strategies, CCA has conducted research and policy analysis on issues related to reducing the use of incarceration. Justice Strategies has analyzed the increasing use of financial penalties and the ways that these penalties further impede community reintegration of people with criminal records. Justice Strategies' working papers are available at www.communityalternatives.org/justice_strategies/justice.html.
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The Gamaliel Foundation
As part of its affirmative action advocacy, The Gamaliel Foundation is examining contracting practices in highway construction. Using community organizing approaches, it seeks to implement local hiring agreements that will increase minority and female access to construction jobs. A major success in this campaign is the May agreement signed with the Missouri Department of Transportation, which committed to using 1/2 of 1% of funds used on interstate highway 64 for training and employment of "minority, female and economically disadvangtaged individuals."For more information on Gamaliel's campaign contact: Laura Barrett, laurabarrett@gamaliel.org, 314-443-5915.
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The Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York (ROC – NY)
The Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York (ROC – NY) is conducting participatory research to document cases of overt discrimination against restaurant workers of color and to build the capacity of the workers themselves to detect and address such discrimination. From transparent excuses like "we can't put Latino/as in the front of the house because our clientele doesn't like accents"—ignoring the popularity in the industry of some accents—to the widespread practice of hiring whites rather than promoting people of color, restaurant workers are fighting longstanding patterns of occupational segregation.If you work or eat at a New York City restaurant—or know anyone who does—you can help! Contact: Rekha Eanni, rekha@rocny.org, 212-343-1771
ROC–NY was initially formed to address the needs of September 11th victims—including family members of victims and displaced restaurant workers from the Windows on the World restaurant and other WTC-area restaurants.
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Montana People's Action (MPA)
Montana People's Action (MPA) has forged a partnership between Montana's ten representative tribes, urban Indians, and low-income people to seek redress for their structural exclusion from quality education and employment. MPA uses a focus on public policy to advance equity and conducts campaigns such as mandating Indian education for all Montana students.Another initiative is in the area of healthcare, and MPA is sponsoring a conference on November 9-10 to promote affirmative action to provide quality care based on the principles below. For more information, contact: jrobideau@mtpaction.org, 406-728-5297.
Community Principles for a Healthy Montana:
Montana should make a full investment in health care, jobs, and the economy.
Montana should provide coverage that counts.
Montana should adopt strategies to negotiate more reasonable drug prices.
The Department of Public Health and Human Services should provide analysis of the social and economic costs and benefits of any proposed changes to public health care programs.
The public should have a meaningful opportunity to comment on any proposed changes to healthcare programs.
Montana should urge the federal government to bolster its support for Medicaid.
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Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE)
The Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) is using economic development and land use policy to advance affirmative action by broadening the use of Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) in California. In addition to ongoing campaigns to provide equal access to quality jobs, LAANE is participating a groundbreaking national initiative to promote the hiring of African Americans in the hotel industry. In the key Los Angeles market, LAANE succeeded in winning the cooperation of the Beverly Hilton in this historic Hotel Workers Rising! campaign. To get a copy of the African American Advisory Council "Statement of Principles" and learn how to support the campaign in your own area, contact: Danny Feingold, dfeingold@laane.org, 213-977-9400 x109. Founded in 1993, LAANE is recognized as a national authority on issues affecting the working poor and an innovator in the fight against working poverty. Combining a vision of social justice with a practical approach to social change, LAANE has helped set in motion a broad movement based on the principle that hard work deserves fair pay, good benefits, and decent working conditions.[ back to top ]
Research and Media
Discrimination Research Center
The Discrimination Research Center research series on California's anti-affirmative action Proposition 209 has produced a number of reports that measure the law's impact on Minority Business Enterprises, including the September 2006 Free to Compete? Measuring the Impact of Proposition 209 on Minority Business Enterprises and the decline of women in the construction trades (2004). Our reports are always free and available at our website at www.drcenter.org.Contact: mmorris@drcenter.org, 510-845-3473 x 307
Help Us Spread the Word:
DRC's research has shown that Proposition 209 has hurt Californians–firms owned by people of color and tradeswomen were considerably harmed by anti-affirmative legislation. Help us spread the word about our research and findings: invite DRC researchers to speak in your college classrooms, present at your organization, or speak at an event. Contact spierre@drcenter.org to arrange something that works with your classroom or organization's schedule.
Support Free and Accessible Research:
Donate to DRC www.drcenter.org to support our research and outreach efforts. Tax-deductible gifts can be made online, by mail, or over the phone. Let friends, family, and coworkers who may be interested in the DRC know about us. Join our Mobilizer Circle or host a house party—these are both great ways to advocate for the DRC and motivate new people to support our work. Contact development@drcenter.org or call 510-845-3473, ext. 302 to discuss how you can help.
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The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights San Francisco
The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law for the San Francisco Bay Area has worked for many years to preserve and defend affirmative action programs and other anti-discrimination tools. Now more than ever, programs that combat discrimination in public education, employment, and contracting are necessary to ensure an equal playing field for all. We advance these issues by educating public officials about the need for affirmative action, by working actively with community groups who are most affected by discrimination, and by going to court to enforce anti-discrimination laws and defend affirmative action programs when necessary.The passage of California's anti-affirmative action initiative (Proposition 209) in 1996 has made our fight even more important. Since then, we have redoubled our efforts to enforce federal anti-discrimination laws and to make sure that Proposition 209 does not undercut antidiscrimination statutes. Contact: osellstrom@lccr.com, 415-543-9444.
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National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is conducting practical research, documenting, and analyzing the experiences of diverse immigrant communities regarding educational and employment inequities that are specific to immigrant communities in the U.S. NNIRR also produces advocacy – oriented reports to support community organizing and bridgebuilding between African American and immigrant communities. Contact: ctactaquin@nnirr.org, 510-465-1984.The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) is a national organization composed of local coalitions and immigrant, refugee, community, religious, civil rights, and labor organizations and activists. It serves as a forum to share information and analysis, to educate communities and the general public, and to develop and coordinate plans of action on important immigrant and refugee issues.
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Mainstream Media Project
The Mainstream Media Project's award-winning, nationally, and internationally syndicated radio program reaching more than 500 markets, "A World of Possibilities," features leading policy analysts and social innovators from around the world addressing key global issues. As part of our Dream Fund work, we will produce nine programs, the first of which is Katrina: One Year Later. Our Guests on Call program issues media alerts pegged to breaking news events to regional and national radio markets, booking radio interviews with experts, analysts, stakeholders and on-the-ground practitioners. To find out how to get your local radio station to carry this programming, contact: cathy@mainstream-media.net, 707-826-9111 ext. 14.When the Mainstream Media Project was founded in 1995, political talk radio was at its apex. Propelled by Rush Limbaugh's sudden surge to prominence and the assertion by some that talk radio had helped elect a new hard-right majority, political talk became the fastest-growing format in the industry. Now, the fire and ire of talk radio have become more tempered, yet radio has remained a prime arena where the debate can be joined and new ideas introduced. Radio offers a low-cost, high-impact means of reaching vast numbers of people: twice as many people worldwide listen to radio as watch television. Each week, radio reaches over 94% of the American population over age twelve.
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University of Pittsburgh Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP)
The University of Pittsburgh Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP) is investigating the dearth of women and minorities in business contracting in the local governments of three large urban areas. "Stopping discriminatory practices will enable qualified minority- and women-owned firms to win millions of dollars worth of new contracts in each urban area. This will increase the size and number of these businesses, increase jobs for minority and women workers, and improve economic conditions for inner city families and neighborhoods," said Ralph Bangs, associate director of CRSP. The mission of the Center is to conduct applied social science research on race, color, and ethnicity and their influence on the quality of life for all Americans. The University of Pittsburgh established the center in 2002 to help lead America further along the path to social justice by conducting research, mentoring emerging scholars, and disseminating knowledge. Contact: rbangs@pitt.edu, 412-624-7379.[ back to top ]
Other Resources
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund conducts outreach to business leaders to build support for affirmative action. Individuals interested in obtaining tools including our grassroots tool kit, reports, and research, viewing public service announcements on the need for affirmative action, or finding a local coalition in which to become involved should visit our action center at http://fairchance.civilrights.org/action_center/ and/or contact LCCREF Field Assistant Erica Williams at 202-466-3311 or Williams@civilrights.org.Americans for a Fair Chance (AFC) is a project of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund in partnership with: the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, National Women's Law Center, National Partnership for Women and Families, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., and the Asian American Justice Center. AFC was founded on the belief that the measurable gains accomplished by affirmative action contribute to the prosperity and health of our families and communities. As affirmative action programs continue to come under attack, the outcome of the debate will have significant consequences for millions of Americans who depend upon such programs to ensure a fair chance at jobs, education, and business opportunities. AFC aims to transform the debate so it is grounded in a factual understanding of both the progress made and the continuing racial and gender discrimination.
It is through Americans for a Fair Chance (AFC) project that the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund provides technical support and strategic guidance for effective grassroots outreach and communications campaigns that serve to change the frame of the public debate on affirmative action policies. A primary goal of AFC is to change the hearts and minds of Americans in states including Michigan, Colorado, Arizona, Washington, and others so that individuals better understand the purpose of affirmative action policies and that they are still needed to redress discrimination and assure a more level playing field in education and the workforce in the 21st Century. Through the work of AFC, we make available a bird's eye view of the status of affirmative action policies in states across the country and build coalitions to carry out public education and communication plans in both reactive and proactive postures so that we can change the frame of the debate.
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Federation of Southern Cooperatives
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives is mobilizing and providing technical assistance to farmers seeking access to credit and marketing systems in the face of new policies and practices that have created barriers to these systems. The Federation — which has operations in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina — promotes the explicit consideration of race in advancing diversity in rural production systems. Currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Federation puts out frequent press releases about its work, such as the April 17, 2006 Southern Rural Black Women's Initiative Training and Outreach Continues to Build/Attending the Women in Agriculture Conference in St. Louis and May 1, 2006 South Carolina Black Farmer Impacts the Charleston Markets/Chemical Free Lettuce Mix Sold in Charleston Farmers Markets the Past 2 Weekends.You can support the work of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives by taking action ranging from direct contributions to buying the nation's best pecans! Contact: fsc@mindspring.com, 404-765-0991.
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Kirwan Institute
Ohio State University's Kirwan Institute is seeking out new ways of conceptualizing and operationalizing merit so as to promote more democratic inclusion in colleges and universities. The Institute fosters partnerships that might lead to more comprehensive analysis of the ways in which affirmative action leads to positive results for society as a whole. Contact: rudd.35@osu.edu, 614-688-5429. The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity is an interdisciplinary research institute. Its goal is to deepen our understanding of the causes of and solutions to racial and ethnic disparities and hierarchies. This includes an explicit focus on Ohio and the United States, but also the Americas as a whole and our larger global community. Our primary focus is to increase general understanding that, despite many differences, human destinies are intertwined. Thus, the Institute explores and illustrates both our diversity and common humanity in real terms. The Institute brings together a diverse and creative group of scholars and researchers from various disciplines to focus on the histories, present conditions, and the future prospects of racially and ethnically marginalized people. Informed by real world needs, its work strives to meaningfully impact policies and practices.[ back to top ]