Advancing Prosperity & Racial Equity in Rural Communities
Rural communities across the country are home to diverse populations, cultures, and social contexts that require unique policy solutions to address systemic challenges. The lived experiences of rural residents should play a vital role in policy decisions made on their behalf and should reflect impactful, people-first solutions to key issues affecting these communities.
The Praxis Project has partnered with ChangeLab Solutions on two policy briefs designed to aid policymakers, changemakers, local leaders, and organizers explore strategies to advance economic prosperity and racial equity in our rural communities. Read more about the briefs below.
Brief Summaries
Advancing rural prosperity: policy strategies to Support equitable development in rural communities
This brief guides leaders in promoting equitable economic development in rural places across the country. The brief offers strategies that have the highest potential to meaningfully affect rural BIPOC communities experiencing persistent poverty. This resource is for state, local, and tribal policymakers; grassroots and community-based organizations; nonprofits; and philanthropic organizations interested in wealth building and place-based development. Read the full brief.
Advancing racial equity in rural communities: legal & policy strategies to support opportunity, health & justice
This brief aims to deepen understanding among state and local policymakers seeking to address the systemic and structural barriers that perpetuate inequities in rural communities. It aids changemakers in exploring strategies to advance equity, opportunity, and health for rural residents. Read the full brief.
Toward Better rural futures
These resources are part of a suite of resources from ChangeLab Solutions to support local and state policymakers, community organizations, and changemakers in advancing racial equity and rural prosperity across the country. As part of the Toward Better Rural Futures project, these resources aim to foster greater collaboration and alignment across local, regional, and state levels of government, equipping leaders with the tools and knowledge to fundamentally shift power, opportunity, and resources in order to create healthy rural places where everyone can thrive.
Increasing meaningful participation in decision-making for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) in rural places and decreasing place, race, and class divides are essential to achieving rural prosperity for all. These resources are designed to identify policies that have the highest potential to drive these impacts.