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From cutting-edge policy research to illuminating analysis, we bring a racial equity lens to the most pressing issues facing our country. For our latest blog posts and media updates, visit our Media page.

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Cover of 'Solving the Affordability Crisis' by People's Action and Dēmos: a rising staircase of icons representing groceries, health care, energy, housing, and child care, each topped with dollar bills."

Solving the Affordability Crisis

The affordability crisis is the result of policy choices — and different choices can reverse it. This report from Dēmos and People's Action traces why housing, utilities, food, health care, and child care have become unaffordable, and five structural solutions for building a people-powered, racially just economy.

Policy Briefs
Demos
People's Action
A Black care worker in scrubs reviews a clipboard with an older Black woman seated on a couch. In the background, composite images show caregivers working with children and supporting elderly adults, overlaid with illustrated icons representing justice, economic opportunity, and care.

Empowering Care Workers: The Key to a Better Care Economy

Good care jobs are the foundation of a good care economy. Empowering care workers through better pay, stronger protections, and collective voice would improve care quality, reduce workforce shortages, and advance racial and economic equity.

Policy Briefs
Nick Wertsch
Row of empty voting booths in a school gym

Missing Voters: The Real Threat to Alabama's Democracy

More than 815,000 Alabamians are missing from the electoral process. In this report, Stand Up Mobile, Dēmos, and Southern Coalition for Social Justice examine who's missing, why, and what Alabama must do to fix it.

Research
Beverly Cooper
Dustin Tyler Broughton
Keshia Morris Desir
Jens Manuel Krogstad
Lucy Krueger
Sarah Ovaska

The Affordable College Compact

A Federal-State Partnership to Increase State Investment and Return to Debt-Free Public Higher Education

Policy Briefs
Mark Huelsman

Testimony of Amy Traub before the U.S. House, An Overview of the Credit Reporting System

Chairman Capito, Ranking Member Meeks, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to submit the following statement for the record as part of today’s hearing.
Testimony and Public Comment
Amy Traub

Why New York Needs The Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act

Discrimination has no place in New York. At our best, we’re a city where people of all races, ethnicities, creeds, and backgrounds have an opportunity to work hard and make their mark. But today in New York, many qualified job seekers are turned away from employment because of their personal credit
Policy Briefs
Amy Traub

The Racial Wealth Audit: Measuring How Policies Shape the Racial Wealth Gap

Addressing the Racial Wealth Gap with New Rigor
Research
Thomas Shapiro
Tatjana Meschede
Laura Sullivan

Letter to SEC Secretary Murphy, Comment on Rule Making Petition 4-637

We support rulemaking to require public companies to disclose to shareholders the use of corporate resources for political activities.

Testimony and Public Comment
Liz Kennedy
Stuart Naifeh

Minnesota’s Great Cost Shift

How Higher Education Cuts Undermine the State’s Future Middle Class

Research
Robert Hiltonsmith
Mark Huelsman

How Do Proof-of-Citizenship Laws Block Legitimate Voters?

A number of states have laws demanding citizens produce documentary evidence of citizenship to register to vote. These laws have far-reaching implications for voter participation in our democracy.

Research
Stuart Naifeh

Implementing Reform: How Maryland & New York Ended Prison Gerrymandering

In 2010 and 2011, Maryland and New York took bold steps to correct the problem known as prison gerrymandering, a problem resulting from the United States Census Bureau’s practice of counting incarcerated individuals as residents of their prison cells rather than their home communities.

Policy Briefs
Erica L. Wood

Do Corporations & Unions Face the Same Rules for Political Spending?

Spoiler alert: they do not. Rules work in corporations favor and against workers.

Research
Liz Kennedy
Sean McElwee

Re: RIN 1235-AA10 - Proposed Rule – Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors

Mary Ziegler, Director Division of Regulations Legislation, and Interpretation Wage and Hour Division U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3510 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 Re: RIN 1235-AA10 - Proposed Rule – Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors Dear Ms. Ziegler:
Testimony and Public Comment
Robert Hiltonsmith