CBCFINC.ORG/NREI #CBCFNREI
WHO WE ARE The National Racial Equity Initiative’s (NREI) mission is to combat systemic injustice, advance racial equity and human rights and pursue community and economic development opportunities for the Black community.
OUR WORK JOHN R. LEWIS SOCIAL JUSTICE FELLOWSHIPS
Housed in CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR), the NREI takes an evidencebased approach to developing sound policy targeted to reduce racial disparities caused by racism and discrimination. NREI also seeks to provide solutions-driven policies and practices to improve the lives of African Americans.
These fellowships are designed to give young, Black professionals the opportunity to work in Congress and the Foundation to address social justice and racial equity issues that affect the Black community. Fellows must demonstrate their social justice commitment through public policy coursework, professional experience or community-related activism aimed at improving the living conditions for the African American community.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
HBCU SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIPS
The NREI was created in direct response to the historically unleveled playing field for minorities, and the recent protests and police killings of unarmed African Americans. Recognizing that combating systemic racism can be achieved through various avenues, the NREI boasts a four-part framework that advances racial equity and human rights by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public. Our Initiative increases the number of social justice leaders committed to advancing equity across the country, shares best practices to elevate the human rights of victims of racism and discrimination, and provides research and data to critique and inform comprehensive social justice policy reforms.
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These scholarships encourage and support the next generation of social justice leaders by removing financial barriers and expanding future opportunities and access to success. Scholarship funds are disbursed annually to undergraduate, graduate or doctoral students pursuing studies related to social justice at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. TASK FORCE OF S OCIAL JUSTICE AMBASSADORS Using their platforms, the Social Justice Ambassadors will share best practices to e levate the human rights of victims of racism and discrimination. Working in collaboration with NREI, the Task Force will help amplify Black voices, and aspire to empower and engage the disenfranchised Black community through media and mass movements for change, with attention to youth activism, community organizing and grassroots mobilization. POLICY RESEARCH
OLAJUMOKE OBAYANJU Director, National Racial Equity Initiative (NREI) Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. oobayanju@cbcfinc.org 202.263.2806
The NREI Research will serve as a centralized hub to house research that advances racial equity and human rights, dismantles systemic racial barriers and informs public policy. This hub will be a resource to provide data, publish research and conduct analysis in criminal justice reform, education, health equity and economic opportunity.