Evolving into Shared Governing Power: Central Providence Unidos and the Roadmap to Co-Governance


The image is a cover of a report titled "Evolving into Shared Governing Power: Central Providence Unidos and the Roadmap to Co-Governance." It features an illustrated scene with colorful, modern houses and trees against a gradient sky. The "Race Forward" logo is in the top left corner. A colorful, abstract band is at the bottom. The report is part of "A Place, Policy, and Power Case Study" series from August 2026.


Evolving into Shared Governing Power: Central Providence Unidos and the Roadmap to Co-Governance

Too often, the way we make decisions, develop policy, and govern excludes the very people who have the most at stake. This leaves communities in a cycle of disappointment and broken civic trust that feeds a narrative of hopelessness.

Co-governance–where communities and government work in tandem–calls for sharing power and centering community leadership. Race Forward’s Place, Policy, and Power (3P) Department presents Evolving into Shared Governing Power: Central Providence Unidos and the Roadmap to Co-Governance. This case study offers a window into a process that tapped into the collective power of communities, local agencies and government to lead for health equity and racial justice in Providence, Rhode Island.

Download the Case Study