On his Inauguration Day, President Biden issued an executive order requiring the federal government to advance racial equity and support for underserved and marginalized communities through its programs and policies. The order makes clear that questions of equity are not a separate domain of policymaking. Rather, to dismantle systems and structures of racism, equity implications must be considered at every turn.

The executive order launches a process across government to explore tools and techniques that can assess the equity of federal programs and policies, engage with communities, fairly allocate resources, and expand the collection and use of data to measure equity.

Urban Institute experts are committed to advancing racial equity. We are providing evidence, insights, and new tools and techniques that can be deployed in service of promoting equity in federal policy and practice.