About Us

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies works to inform and illuminate the nation’s major public policy debates through research, analysis, and information dissemination, with the goal of improving the socioeconomic status of African Americans and other people of color, expanding their effective participation in the political and public policy arenas, and promoting communications and relationships across racial and ethnic lines to strengthen the nation’s pluralistic society.

The Joint Center is a trusted source of information on the key topics of the day – health and health care equity, energy and climate change, digital opportunity and innovation, and civic engagement and governance.  Our high quality research, distinctive analyses of the issues, and experience in assembling effective coalitions have been cited by policy makers as helping to generate innovative, practical solutions to America’s most challenging problems.

The Joint Center’s approach includes identifying critical and emerging issues and developing research parameters, as well as collaborating with well-known scholars and experts in designing and conducting rigorous investigations, studies, and reports.  Our research findings are publicized in relevant policy circles and among targeted audiences through our strategic partners and with the general public through traditional and new media.

The Joint Center facilitates extensive analysis of facts and issues through the lens of the African American community, with the goal of ensuring its views are considered in the public policy development process.  With our extensive polling of African American voters, we are the nation’s key source of information on the black electorate and the elected and appointed officials who represent them at all levels of government.