Joint Center Founders

Louis E. Martin
Served from 1970 to 1997

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is a national, nonprofit research and public policy institution. Founded in 1970 as the Joint Center for Political Studies by black intellectuals and professionals to provide training and technical assistance to newly elected black officials, the Joint Center is recognized today as one of the nation's premier think tanks on a broad range of public policy issues of concern to African Americans and other communities of color.

The history of the Joint Center has not only reflected the progress African Americans have made since the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, but has also mirrored the nation's political and socio-economic progress over the last three decades. When the Joint Center first opened its doors, there were 1,469 black elected officials (BEOs). There are now over 9,500 BEOs in the United States.

Increasing black political participation formed the foundation of much of the Joint Center's work during the 70's and the 80's. However, as the civil rights era gave way to the era of "economic rights," the Joint Center signaled its expanding focus on job creation and workforce development and changed its name to the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. The principle areas of work now include political participation, economic advancement, and health policy. The Joint Center stands primed to continue to drive the nation's public policy discussions with independent and reliable research, analysis, and assessment.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Joint Center is governed by a board of governors. To learn more about America's black think tank and its influence in shaping public policy debates, please spend time visiting our website or call 202-789-3500 for more information.

Dr. Kenneth B. Clark
Served from 1970 to 2005