Economic Opportunity
From Slavery to Sovereignty: The Economic Importance of the Justice for Black Farmers Act
By Danielle Browne, John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellow
This capstone illuminates the rich history of Black ingenuity in American agriculture, emphasizing significant contributions made by enslaved Africans and their descendants.
Fields of Opportunity: Exploring the Intersection of Urban Farming and AI Solutions for Food Insecurities in Black Communities
By Leyana Casey, MPH, John R Lewis Social Justice Fellow
This capstone, serving as a comprehensive literature review, uses previous literature to navigate the landscape of food insecurity in Black communities and explore the potential benefits of urban farming and AI-driven solutions for these communities.
The Forgotten People: Honoring the Voices of Black Rural Americans
By Ja’Lia Taylor, Ph.D., John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellow
This capstone project examines Black Rural Americans’ historical significance and ongoing struggles, emphasizing their past and present challenges. Its goal is to elevate the priority of Black Rural Americans in societal and legislative considerations, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their experiences are acknowledged in shaping future policies.
A Net with Gapping Holes: Unemployment Insurance and Racial Inequality
By Malik Neal, NREI John Lewis Social Justice Fellow
Without federal action, the unemployment insurance system will continue to disadvantage Black Americans, who stand to benefit the most from such relief. In the end, reforming unemployment insurance is a racial justice issue.
Road to 2030: Federal Legislative Solutions to Social Equity in a Booming Cannabis Industry
By Tatyana Hopkins, John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellow
With the legal cannabis market in the U.S. slated to become a $72 billion market by 2030 across the legal states, the federal government must emphasize, model, and encourage states, to engage in effective social equity programming. It must also approach prospective federal cannabis-focused policy through the lens of social equity.
States Below the Standard: An Analysis of State Minimum Wages and their Effect on Black Communities
By Jasmine Payne, John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellow
This report explores the history of low and no minimum wage states and explains the overlap of race with economic data to assess the impact on the Black community.