Washington, D.C. – The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), with the support of Amazon (AMZN), has partnered with the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center at Howard University to research methods to improve the policymaking process for Black legislators.
With support from Amazon, NBCSL engaged the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center at Howard University to provide research on the historical evolution of policy institutes, centers, and think tanks. By engaging leading academic experts, NBCSL and Amazon sought to understand the current policy landscape, determine the types of resources available to Black State Legislators, and determine new opportunities to serve NBCSL’s legislative membership.
Findings from the research confirmed that no existing policy institute exclusively focuses on issues at the state level facing Black communities.
NBCSL will develop a Public Policy and Research Institute (PPRI) to level the policy development field in response to the findings. The NBCSL PPRI will establish a new policymaking paradigm to meet the needs of today’s state legislators as they use research and data to inform new legislation aimed at addressing racial inequity.
We are excited and grateful that Amazon, one of our key strategic partners and Corporate Roundtable Members, took the lead in helping us build capacity and plan for this worthy and needed endeavor., said NBCSL President Rep. Billy Mitchell (GA
We are passionate about the positive impact policymakers have in communities of color and want to support their commitment to positive change, said Andrea Fava, Head of State and Local Public Policy. Amazon is committed to helping build a country and a world where everyone can live with dignity and equity, and we’re excited to partner with NBCSL on this initiative.
Additional information about the NBCSL PPRI will be presented at NBSCL 45th. Annual Legislative Conference being held November 30 – December 3, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia.
About NBCSL
The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) is a membership organization representing more than 700 African American state legislators. Since 1977, NBCSL has been working to develop, conduct and promote educational, research, and training programs designed to enhance the effectiveness of its members, as they consider legislation and issues of public policy that impact, either directly or indirectly, the general welfare of African American constituents within their respective jurisdictions. For additional information about NBCSL and the upcoming Annual Legislative Conference, visit https://nbcsl.org.
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/ and follow @AmazonNews.
About The Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center
Howard University established the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center to serve as a focal point for research, publications, service, policy discussions, and leadership development activities in areas involving the engagement of African Americans in the U.S. political process and in U.S. national and foreign policy. The Walters Center is a premier academic center for research and publications on policy issues directly impacting the global black community. For more information, visit https://walterscenter.howard.edu/
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