Momentum at the White House: Historic Racial Justice Work At The Federal Level With Chiraag Bains

Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast

Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast –– recorded at The White House!

On this landmark episode of Momentum Chiraag Bains, (now former) Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council for Racial Justice and Equity joins Race Forward’s Cathy Albisa and Carlton Eley to talk about the historic racial justice work actively happening across the federal government.

In this in-depth interview Chiraag talks about the Biden Administration’s deep commitment to racial equity and the significance of President Biden signing Executive Order 13985 “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government” on his first day in office. He talks about the processes agencies underwent as part of the EO’s mandate to deliver Federal Equity Action Plans (EAP’s) and the results and lessons learned throughout the first two years of the work. This leads to conversation about the second historic executive order on racial justice issued in February of this year, Executive Order 14091 “Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government”, and how this executive order further strengthens the administration’s commitment through financial investment and working with community partnerships on racial equity work.

Throughout the conversation, Chriraag talks about the multigenerational commitment that racial justice work requires, touching on themes such as police reform, criminal justice reform, support for the LGBTQI+ community, and economic development, and the fortitude needed to do the work in the face of backlash to progress. Chiraag credits the team at the Domestic Policy Council for their commitment to racial equity, as well as the partnerships cultivated with advocates and organizations that together are moving the work forward, and how despite the threats to democracy that arise, racial justice and equity work makes sure the government is working for all Americans.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, you can now support Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast and Race Forward’s audio work by texting “RFPod” to 44-321 to make a tax-deductible contribution.

Resources:

Executive Order 13985 “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government (via The White House)

https://bit.ly/3WFDjSa

Executive Order 14091 “Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government (via The White House)

http://bit.ly/40H8VJg

Race Forward/ PolicyLink – Assessment of Federal Equity Action Plans

http://bit.ly/40vwDbA

Report: Delivering on Equity Access, and Opportunity for the American People (via the White House)

bit.ly/40pNA7B

What is the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and is it likely to pass? (via The Guardian)

http://bit.ly/3ZA3LOF

FACT SHEET: The Biden-⁠Harris Administration Continues to Promote Access to Voting (via The White House)

http://bit.ly/3nrBBHT

About Race Forward:

Race Forward catalyzes movement building for racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, we build strategies to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture. Race Forward imagines a just, multiracial, democratic society, free from oppression and exploitation, in which people of color thrive with power and purpose.

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Executive Producers:

Hendel Leiva, Cheryl Cato Blakemore