Articles by Joint Center

Joint Center

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black think tank, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1970 and based in Washington, DC. The Joint Center's mission is to inform and illuminate the nation's major public policy debates through research, analysis, and information dissemination in order to improve the socioeconomic status of Black communities in the United States; expand their effective participation in the political and public policy arenas; and promote communication and relationships across racial and ethnic lines to strengthen the nation's pluralistic society.

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Now Hiring: Special Assistant to the President and Project Coordinator

The Joint Center is seeking a Special Assistant to the President and Project Coordinator The Joint Center’s Special Assistant to the President and Project Coordinator will manage the president’s daily business by scheduling internal and external meetings, and pro-actively ensuring that meetings and appointments stay on time regarding the president’s schedule; compile the president’s daily…

June 29 COVID-19 Policy & Black Communities Roundup

Upcoming Economic Data May Affect Next Coronavirus Stimulus On Thursday, July 2 the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the June employment situation report, which will illuminate the status of the labor market (including data on unemployment among Black communities). On the same day, the Department of Labor will release last week’s initial unemployment claims…

The Joint Center Releases Joint Statement with Several Civil Rights Organizations on Facebook’s Latest Policy Announcement on Hate Speech and Voter Disinformation

On June 29, the Joint Center released a joint statement with The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and several other civil rights groups on Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s latest policy announcement on hate speech and voter disinformation: “While we welcome any progress in Facebook’s policies, today’s announcement continues the company’s practice of taking incremental steps…

Joint Center President Testifies at Joint Congressional Hearing on Disinformation Online and Section 230

On June 24, Joint Center President Spencer Overton provided expert testimony at a joint congressional hearing entitled “A Country in Crisis: How Disinformation Online is Dividing the Nation.” During the congressional hearing, Spencer explained that both domestic and foreign actors use disinformation to divide Americans along racial lines, and mentioned a recent Gallup/Knight Foundation survey…

June 23 COVID-19 Policy & Black Communities Roundup

Republicans’ Police Reform Bill Hangs on a “Poison Pill” Led by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Senate Republicans unveiled their police reform proposal last week. The bill focuses on data collection, training, and officer misconduct and transparency. It follows a bill by House Democrats in response to weeks of protests and calls for reforms in the…

Joint Center President Joins Juneteenth Panel ‘From Pain to Protest to Policy’ with Senator Kamala Harris and More

On Juneteenth (June 19), Joint Center President Spencer Overton joined the From Pain to Protest to Policy panel at JusticeCon: A Path Towards Freedom on Juneteenth hosted by The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York. Other panelists included Prince George County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Washington DC Chief Medical Examiner Dr.…

Now Hiring: Technology Policy Fellow / Senior Fellow

The Joint Center is seeking a Technology Policy Fellow / Senior Fellow. Data and machine learning hold tremendous potential to positively impact Black communities. Simultaneously, these new tools pose significant threats. Automated decisions may magnify discrimination in hiring practices, lending and other financial services, housing, education, insurance, law enforcement and surveillance (e.g., predictive policing, facial…

Joint Center Presidents Analyzes Key Issues Regarding Section 230 and the 2020 Election

Joint Center President Spencer Overton provided analysis on key issues regarding Section 230 and the 2020 election at the Knight Foundation and Gallup’s webinar to share new findings in their report, American Views: Trust, Media and Democracy. See his opening remarks below: First, policymakers and industry stakeholders need to understand Americans have strong feelings on…

Joint Center Vice President Moderates Opportunity Finance Network Panel ‘Inequality in the Pandemic: Entrepreneurs of Color’

On June 16, Joint Center Vice President Jessica Fulton moderated Opportunity Finance Network’s Small Business Finance Forum panel, Inequality in the Pandemic: Entrepreneurs of Color. Presenters included U.S. Black Chambers President/CEO Ron Busby, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) Executive Director and CEO Noel Poyo, and Business Center for New Americans Founder and…

Joint Center President Joins Knight Foundation Panel on Free Expression and Misinformation Online

On June 17, Joint Center President Spencer Overton joined the Knight Foundation’s panel, “Free expression v. misinformation online: who decides?” Read Spencer’s opening remarks here. Other panelists included University of Oklahoma College of Law Professor Evelyn Aswad, New York University’s Stern Center for Business and Human Rights Deputy Director Paul Barrett, Stanford Cyber Policy Center…