by LeRoi A. Barrett, fellow, and Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, President
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Black political power and economic freedom require more than representation—they demand a strong infrastructure to turn that representation into meaningful change. From Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement to today, every major stride in Black political empowerment has relied on institutions that provide strategy, support, and resources. Black policy infrastructure ensures that our leaders are not just present in political spaces but effective in shaping policy that advances our communities.
This lesson is as old as Black political participation itself. The Reconstruction era saw Black elected officials emerge in unprecedented numbers, from U.S. Senators like Hiram Revels to hundreds of state and local leaders who pushed for civil rights, public education, and labor protections. Post reconstruction, these gains were violently dismantled through systemic disenfranchisement, racial terrorism, and Jim Crow laws. White supremacist resistance made one thing clear: Black political empowerment is an ongoing struggle, and without strong institutions, representation alone can be easily undone.
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s reignited the fight for Black political power. Black activists, from the NAACP and SNCC to the Black Panther Party, challenged systemic racism and fought for policy reforms. These efforts led to the Voting Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, and other legislative victories, but sustaining progress required long-term strategy. The transition from protest to policy demanded institutions that could train Black political leaders, conduct rigorous research, and provide the expertise needed to govern effectively.
It was in this context that the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies was founded in 1970. Created to support the growing number of Black elected officials, the Joint Center provided policy analysis, research, and leadership training to ensure Black political participation translated into real power. It became a critical force in developing Black policy infrastructure, ensuring Black leaders had the resources to navigate governance effectively.
The impact of this infrastructure was profound. Throughout the 1970s and beyond, the Joint Center supported the establishment of key Black-led institutions, including the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and the National Conference of Black Mayors. These organizations ensured that Black officials at all levels of government had access to the training, networks, and policy expertise necessary to maximize their effectiveness.
Black policy infrastructure has always been about more than responding to crises—it is about proactively shaping the future. Without it, Black political gains risk being symbolic rather than transformative. The work of institutions like the Joint Center ensured that Black leadership was not just about winning elections but about driving systemic change in areas like voting rights, economic development, and workforce policy.
Today, the need for Black policy infrastructure remains as urgent as ever. The racial wealth divide persists, economic exclusion continues, and voter suppression efforts threaten hard-won political gains. While Black representation has grown, the key to turning that representation into policy impact lies in investing in institutions that can sustain progress. The challenges may have evolved, but the fundamental need for Black-led policy organizations has not.
The Joint Center continues to play a vital role in addressing modern issues, from technology policy and workforce development to Black political representation and wealth equity. By equipping Black leaders with data-driven research and policy solutions, it ensures that Black political power is not just about visibility but about effectiveness.
The past has shown us that representation alone is not enough. To secure Black political and economic freedom, we must invest in institutions that provide the infrastructure for lasting change. Black policy infrastructure is not just a relic of past struggles—it is the foundation for future victories. If we are serious about advancing Black political and economic agency, then strengthening and expanding Black-led policy institutions must be a priority.
The work of our predecessors teaches us that political power must be protected, nurtured, and institutionalized. Without dedicated infrastructure, victories can be short-lived. However, with the right support, Black political leaders and institutions can continue to drive progress for generations to come.
The future of Black freedom depends on the strength of Black policy infrastructure. Investing in it today ensures that we don’t just make history—we shape it.
