Non-governmental organizations and community groups have played a crucial role in the convening, connecting, and mobilizing of peoples and ideas to promote racial justice.
The reports and policy perspectives of these organizations may be of insight to you in your own thinking and research:
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD): The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) increases the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice: Fighting for civil rights and empowering Asian Americans to create a more just America for all. Their activities include reports, programs, know your rights initiatives, and more.
Council on American-Islamic Relations: CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. They have a multitude of reports, toolkits, and news briefings related to civil rights, racial equity, and combating Islamophobia in the United States.
Equal Rights Amendment: The Equal Rights Amendment is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. It seeks to end the legal distinctions between men and women in terms of divorce, property, employment, and other matters. First authored by Alice Paul (1885-1977) and introduced in Congress in 1923, the Alice Paul Institute continues to advocate, educate, and promote the Amendment's ratification.
King Center: Established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (“The King Center”) has been a global destination, resource center and community institution for over a quarter century.
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights under Law: Formed in 1963, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law works to secure equal justice for all through the rule of law, targeting in particular the inequities confronting African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities. They marshal the resources of the private bar to obtain equal justice for minorities, and are also engaged in environmental justice, judicial nominations, the First Amendment rights of peaceful demonstrators and protestors, and the intersection of race and technology.
Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. Through advocacy and outreach to targeted constituencies, the Leadership Conference works toward the goal of a more open and just society – an America as good as its ideals. It was founded in 1950 and has coordinated national lobbying efforts on behalf of every major civil rights law since 1957.
NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People): Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. Their mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.: The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans. LDF also defends the gains and protections won over the past 80 years of civil rights struggle and works to improve the quality and diversity of judicial and executive appointments.
National Urban League: Founded in 1910, the National Urban League is dedicated to economic empowerment, equality, and social justice. It collaborates at the national and local levels with community leaders, policymakers, and corporate partners to elevate the standards of living for African Americans and other historically underserved groups.