Engaging Communities

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Part of the center’s mission is to set research findings in motion through leadership and civic action. If you're interested in partnering with the center in these and other areas, email racialequity@rand.org.

Current Projects

• Nurturing the Policy Leaders of the Future

  More is needed beyond classroom teaching to understand how racial equity can be addressed with the tools of policy design and implementation and systems change. RAND is well-positioned to support the next generation of policy leaders to realize the gains from the civic activity of 2020, and has already begun working with schools and community organizations in their efforts.

• Telling New Stories of What Racial Equity Looks Like

  The center is seeking to work with storytellers—journalists, artists, and others—along with community organizations to explain the values underlying racial equity and how systems and policy change is needed. Racial equity policy action does not happen without clarity of the why and how. The center wants to reach those who can help explain the need and the path for policy change.

• Creating Spaces for Civil Discourse

  One of the challenges confronting the policy field is the inability to have a commons in which a variety of stakeholders can not only debate contentious issues but bridge divides of language and values in order to investigate policy solutions. The Center is pursuing many paths in civil discourse strategy. Examples include:

  • Deliberative Conversations are an effort to increase cultural awareness, interaction, and discussion among diverse stakeholders around difficult topics. The center's Deliberative Conversations format aims to intentionally bring together individuals who represent diverse perspectives around a topic, sometimes difficult or controversial, to advance tangible, joint solutions that give a voice to all invested in the conversation.
  • The Deep Learning Series offers an opportunity for intensive study and exchange on critical policy issues in racial equity, supported by critical readings and discussion of emergent theory and ideas. During fall 2021, RAND’s Justice Policy Program and the Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy will focus on Systems Thinking and Racial Equity.

• Exploring How Communities Of Color Have Experienced COVID-19

  High-school artists and photographers are encouraged to tell stories from communities of color for the Art From Your Heart nationwide art project. The project allows young people to share with other communities their experiences with COVID-19, and how that influences a sense of inclusion and belonging. Winning submissions are displayed in a digital gallery.

• Building an Inclusive Construction Workforce

  The center is partnering with National Association of Minority Contractors of Southern California (NAMCSC) to offer two scholarships worth $500 for students enrolled in study in the fields of construction, engineering, math, science, technology, and trades. The Economic Inclusion Scholarship aims to benefit underrepresented populations pursuing work in the construction field. Applications close on December 3, 2021. Download the application form [PDF]