Center for Policy Analysis and Research
The Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR) is rooted in a firm commitment to open-minded inquiry into issues impacting the global Black community. CPAR’s objective is to improve the socioeconomic circumstances of Black Americans by generating analyses and policy recommendations advancing equity and equality in policy areas such as criminal justice, education access, economic development, public health, voting rights, and Black representation in the ever-growing technology sector.
CPAR facilitates substantive communication between stakeholder groups, executes local and national forums, and disseminates vital information to Black elected officials, the media, and the general public as it relates to promoting equity and equality for people of African descent.
CPAR's Priority Initiatives
Voter Empowerment and Black Civic Engagement
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) has historically aimed to uplift civic engagement among Black communities, uproot methods of voter suppression and increase voter education. Since the 2020 election and the increase in the use of mail-in voting, there has been an uptick in voting-related legislation both in federal and state legislatures. Now, with the largest number of Black elected officials in office since the reconstruction era, under the founding purposes of the CBCF, CPAR launches its Voter Empowerment & Black Civic Engagement Initiative. This Initiative aims to educate Black communities on their right to vote, equip the public with tools to navigate new voting laws and encourage them to show up at their polling place to cast a vote that counts. This Initiative identifies pitfalls in the voting process, legislation that undermines the right to vote, and gerrymandering practices that redraw congressional districts to offset community vote distribution.
The Divide: Decoding Inequity in Technology
The rapid process of digitalization is connecting people from across continents and uplifting financial outcomes; however, not all communities are benefitting equally from this technological evolution. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, a heightened emphasis was placed on connectivity with schools and companies operating primarily online. Blacks across the United States are less likely to own a computer or have broadband access as compared to other demographics. Blacks are also underrepresented in the technology industry which contributes to implicit bias in algorithms and biometric recognition. This Initiative aims to raise awareness of the underrepresented Blacks in the technology industry, the impact of racial bias and rise of racial disparities in a digital age, and efforts to bridge the digital divide through policy reform.
Health Equity NOW Initiative
Blacks across the United States are disproportionately diagnosed with the nation’s top chronic illnesses and are also more likely to be uninsured or have inadequate access to healthcare services than their white counterparts. Blacks are also among those most underrepresented in medical research, which has far-reaching consequences down to the root of medical education—which can be tied to higher rates of misdiagnosis among Black patients. The Health Equity NOW Initiative analyzes current health policy, identifies gaps, and advocates for holistic health legislation that will produce improved health outcomes in Black communities. This Initiative, through research and policy programming, builds alliances with the public health sector, graduate medical education institutions, grassroots organizations, and private companies to address social determinants of health contributing to these harrowing statistics.
National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice
Established in 2020, the National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice’s (NREI) mission is to combat systemic injustice and advance racial equity, human rights, education, and community/economic development opportunities for the Black community. The Initiative is comprised of social justice policy Fellowships, social justice scholarships for HBCU students, an NREI Task Force, and research, data, and public policy related to social justice reform for maximum impact in Black communities. The NREI takes an evidence-based approach to inform sound policies targeted to reducing racial disparities caused by racism and discrimination and provides solutions-driven and proactive policies and practices that produce equitable access, opportunities, treatment, and outcomes for Blacks.
Avoice
The CBCF Avoice Virtual Library is a premier source of information about historical and contemporary Black policy issues important to researchers, academics, educators, and students. Avoice captures and preserves the rich history of Black political and legislative contributions for future generations.
Policy Programming
CPAR produces district-level as well as national community forums to explore public policy concerns and pursue policy solutions that meet people where they are and serve them with access to viable and qualified information.
CPAR Publications
CPAR regularly publishes policy briefs, fact sheets, and reports addressing key public policy issues affecting the global Black community, including criminal justice, education access, economic development, public health, voting rights, and Black representation in the ever-growing technology sector.