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Research, Public Policy and Information Center
The Research, Public Policy and Information Center for African American Women (RPPI) was launched in September, 2007.
Led by Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, the RPPI will serve as the nexus of NCNW’s public policy agenda and will, in that capacity, collect and analyze data that is both race and gender specific, assess trends and policy impacts across time, develop research and information products that are accessible to policy makers and the public alike and disseminate that information through strategic communications actions.
Current Activities
Since its inception, RPPI has been engaged in primarily two key sets of activities: first, the development of research/action proposals for submittal to a wide range of funding entities; and second, participation in key advocacy networks, meetings, and professional conferences meant to increase the visibility of RPPI and foster relationship building opportunities with potential funders and research/ action partners. RPPI is currently engaged in a wide range of research/action initiatives including the following:
- The Black Women Count Voter Education and Engagement Project
It is envisioned that this project will be inclusive of a National Black Women’s Summit meant to attract all viable presidential candidates (and/or senior campaign staff) in order to help nurture a dialogue between Black Women and political leadership at the highest levels.
- The Black Women at Work Project
This project will consist of an issue-brief series examining the status of Black women in the labor market, Black women and entrepreneurship. Funded by New York Stock Exchange.
- Black Women and the Mortgage Meltdown
In partnership with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, we are seeking to develop a project that examines the extent to which Black women have been shut out of affordable home lending opportunities in the wake of America’s housing crisis. Funded by The Ford Foundation.
- Women's Economic Justice Summit
Along with the National Organization for Women and the Institute for Women's Policy Research, NCNW co-sponsored a women's empowerment summit to be held in
Atlanta, GA, in April 2008.
- Progressive Women's Voices Media Track 2008
On behalf of NCNW, Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever participated in this interactive briefing and media training opportunity provided to key women leaders in the research, advocacy, and media worlds.
- Lifetime Television's Every Woman Counts Coalition Meeting
RPPI has partnered with Lifetime Television, Redbook, CosmoGIRL! And Marie Claire, and others to be a part of the Every Woman Counts Coalition, the first-ever nonpartisan coalition of leading women's media and women's organizations that are committed to ensuring that issues important to women are part of the campaign dialogue during the election season; encouraging women to run for public office; and motivating women to register and vote.
- Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Poverty Roundtable
Dr. Jones-DeWeever participated in an invitation-only roundtable forum during the CBCF Annual Legislative Conference entitled, "Closing the Racial Wealth Divide: Creating a Poverty Reduction Strategy for Black America.
- Why We Can't Wait Conference
Dr. Jones-DeWeever participated in the Why We Can't Wait: Reversing the Retreat on Civil Rights Conference in an effort to build alliances with a number of partner organizations all with the common goal of acquiring and protecting equal justice, fairness, and opportunity and to make sure that policy and legal actions move forward with those goals in mind.
Ford Foundation Convening: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap
Dr. Jones-DeWeever participated in this special convening of key researchers, advocates, and practitioners interested in strategy development around best approaches towards shrinking the racial wealth gap.
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