CPAR

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Center for Policy Analysis and Research

As part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Center for Policy Analysis and Research identifies, analyzes, and disseminates policy-oriented information critical to advancing the African-American community toward economic independence, education, and health equity.

Rationale

Quality research and policy analysis are essential for crafting effective policies that meet the needs of African Americans and other underserved populations. Policymakers must have good information in order to assess the viability of existing policies and to formulate new ones that effectively address social problems. Despite this need, there are relatively few existing resources from which policymakers can receive information from an African-American perspective. CPAR was established to facilitate evidence-based policymaking and positively influence public discourse on important issues.

Goals

CPAR seeks to improve the socio-economic circumstances of African Americans by:

• Generating insightful analyses of existing and emerging policy issues in the areas of education, economic development, public health and social welfare.
• Facilitating substantive communication between stakeholder groups concerned about the well-being of African Americans, including policymakers, researchers, civil rights leaders, agency representatives, and the public at-large.
• Disseminating vital information to African-American elected officials, the media and the general public.

Staff

• Marjorie A. Innocent, Ph.D. – Senior Director of Research and Programs
• Menna Demessie, Ph.D. – Senior Research Analyst and Adjunct Professor at the University of California Washington Center
• Ivory A. Toldson, Ph.D. – Senior Research Analyst and Assistant Professor at the Howard University School of Education