Advancing Racial Equity: A Framework for Federal Agencies
This guide describes the components of a racial equity approach and walks practitioners and leaders in the federal government through key actions in implementing racial equity strategies and the challenges they will face.
By Anja Rudiger, Ph.D.
Advancing Racial Equity: A Framework for Federal Agencies has emerged from years of work between local and state governments across the country and Race Forward’s Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE). It describes the components of a racial equity approach and walks practitioners and leaders in the federal government through key actions and the challenges they will face as they embark on implementing racial equity strategies.
The framework is centered on the key components of visualizing, normalizing, organizing, and operationalizing racial equity. These components form a cycle of practice and learning that should be repeated and deepened as this work gains traction and is built out. Also included in the framework is an overview of racial equity tools that can be tailored to serve the purpose of federal agencies.
While the challenges in achieving racial equity are great, so too are the opportunities. There is a rich body of knowledge, good practices, models, and lessons available from local and state jurisdictions to support federal agencies in taking action. By leveraging the tried-and-tested actions outlined in this framework, federal agencies can level up outcomes for people of color while improving socioeconomic outcomes for all.