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Research & Policy

We’re using research and data to shine a light on root causes of inequity and promote effective strategies for systems-level change.

Hand in hand with this work, we’re connecting people across sectors and communities to make those shifts happen.

REPARATIONS

As part of a local, statewide, and national movement for reparations, Embrace Boston is:

ORGANIZING

We’re hosting conversations for individuals and groups across the state to learn, share, and advocate around reparations.

RESEARCHING

We’re mobilizing knowledge and data to identify specific areas of redress (e.g., housing, unemployment, incarceration, education) and foster greater understanding of the need and benefits.

ADVOCATING

We’re making the case for for legislation to study the lasting impacts of slavery at city, state, and federal levels and to create reparative programs.

INFORMING

We’re using multiple media channels to inform the general public about reparations.

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PREAMBLE TO THE STATE OF BLACK BOSTON

Our 2022 Harm Report examines seven areas of injury* caused by racial discrimination that are among the most urgent issues facing our Black communities:

Culture & Symbols, Housing, Transportation, Education, Criminal Legal Systems, Health, income & Wealth

The report connects the past with the present to give people a better understanding of how the historic roots of injustice became entrenched in policies and practices. Knowing that harm, like good, spreads from generation to generation prompts a sense of urgency to act now.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

THE 2022 HARM REPORT

Racial equity gaps cost all of us. According to a national study entitled Closing the Racial Inequality Gaps (Citi Bank, 2020), the dollar value of losses due to gaps between Blacks and Whites in areas such as education, housing, and earnings comes to $16 trillion over the last 20 years. The same study found that closing these gaps could generate $5 trillion of additional GDP over the next five years.

Economic benefit is one part of a larger equation concerning quality of life. We’re using research and data to spark a collective re-imagining of what our future could look like if we repair past wrongs, share power and prosperity equally, and can participate fully as whole persons. In other words, what would it look like if we all won?

PREAMBLE TO THE STATE OF BLACK BOSTON

Our 2022 Harm Report examines seven areas of injury* caused by racial discrimination that are among the most urgent issues facing our Black communities:

Culture & Symbols, Housing, Transportation, Education, Criminal Legal Systems, Health, income & Wealth

The report connects the past with the present to give people a better understanding of how the historic roots of injustice became entrenched in policies and practices. Knowing that harm, like good, spreads from generation to generation prompts a sense of urgency to act now.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

THE 2022 HARM REPORT

Racial equity gaps cost all of us. According to a national study entitled Closing the Racial Inequality Gaps (Citi Bank, 2020), the dollar value of losses due to gaps between Blacks and Whites in areas such as education, housing, and earnings comes to $16 trillion over the last 20 years. The same study found that closing these gaps could generate $5 trillion of additional GDP over the next five years.

Economic benefit is one part of a larger equation concerning quality of life. We’re using research and data to spark a collective re-imagining of what our future could look like if we repair past wrongs, share power and prosperity equally, and can participate fully as whole persons. In other words, what would it look like if we all won?

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NOTHING ABOUT US,
WITHOUT US

When it comes to dismantling racism, what gets measured and who does the measuring? These questions prompted Dr. April Khadijah Inniss, Embrace Boston’s director of community-engaged research, to launch a pilot project that’s gathering data from BIPOC Bostonians on how they define well-being for themselves, their families, and their communities.

With the goal of using new measurement paradigms grounded in the communities they’re intended to assess, the data will inform a well-being dashboard designed to “help us frame, articulate, and advocate for policies that promote joy and well-being in Boston.”

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NEW BOSTON COALITION

Embrace Boston knows the important work of racial and economic justice is only done in partnership. As our city, country, and world are in the middle of, what we hope is a deep healing forged by the viral, racial, and economic pandemics, we are excited to launch and support the New Boston Coalition.

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THE FORWARD FUND

Embrace Boston established the Forward Fund in 2020 to respond to heightened instances of racial violence and injustice. The following year, in partnership with a diverse advisory committee, we awarded $5,000 to 45 Massachusetts’ nonprofits working to advance racial equity.

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