2024 Annual Report

Read our letter from Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, President, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies below.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

2024 has been a year of transformation, reflection, and momentum for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. As I step into the role of president, I am honored to build upon the strong foundation laid by my predecessors, including Spencer Overton, whose decade of leadership advanced our mission in transformative ways, and Jessica Fulton, who has played a crucial role in shaping our policy work over the past six years, most recently as our vice president of Policy. Their dedication and vision have been instrumental in positioning the Joint Center for continued impact and growth, and I am deeply grateful for their service.

This year, we have taken significant strides in strengthening our institution by filling key leadership roles, including a director of development, chief of staff, and a chief financial officer. These strategic additions will enhance our capacity, expand our reach, deepen our impact, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our work.

At the same time, the Joint Center has remained steadfast in advancing critical research and policy recommendations in our core areas. In Government Diversity, we released Pathway Staff Diversity in Senate Personal Offices and Digging Deeper: 2024 Senate Democratic Caucus Diversity Numbers, reinforcing our commitment to increasing Black representation in policymaking spaces. Our Technology Policy focus led us to sponsor The Implications of Section 230 for Black Communities, exploring how digital policies shape opportunities and challenges for Black Americans. In Workforce Policy, we continued our monthly Jobs Day analysis and published essential reports, including Charting a Path to Increase Federal Accountability Through WIOA Reauthorization and Policy Strategies to Improve Job Quality for Black Workers in Sector Partnership Programs.

As we look ahead, the Joint Center is well positioned to continue growing and delivering on our mission: to provide compelling and actionable policy solutions that dismantle persistent and evolving barriers to the full freedom of Black people in America. Our work remains essential, and with your continued support, we will not only preserve progress but accelerate it. 2025 promises to be a year of both challenges and substantive policy reform. The Joint Center will continue to provide evidence-based research, strategic analysis, convening, and communications, leveraging our unique connections to Black communities and institutions, along with our network of allies. With your ongoing support, we will continue our over 50-year legacy as America’s Black think tank, driving forward meaningful change for Black communities and beyond. Thank you for standing with us in this effort.

Sincerely,
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad President, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies