2025 Annual Report

Read our letter from Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, President, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies below.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

With the inauguration of a new administration and Congress, the year began with a marked decline in Black representation within executive offices, federal agency leadership, and the congressional majority. At the same time, however, important milestones reminded us that progress is neither linear nor erased. For the first time in history, five Black leaders served simultaneously in the United States Senate — Angela Alsobrooks, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Raphael Warnock, Cory Booker, and Tim Scott. The Congressional Black Caucus also reached a historic high of 62 members, its largest membership since its founding.

At the local level, Black political leadership continued to flourish. In 2025, a record 143 Black mayors led cities across the country. Black leaders now govern many of the nation’s largest and most influential urban centers, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. These mayors are not only shaping the futures of their cities, but also influencing national urban policy and the broader economic direction of the states they anchor.

This past year marked my first full year as President of the Joint Center, and it was a period of significant growth and momentum for the organization. We expanded our public programming, increased the volume and reach of our written policy analysis, and deepened our engagement with national legislators and their staff. Notably, even amid a broader regression in addressing racial inequality, the Joint Center experienced a meaningful increase in both funding and national visibility— an affirmation of the relevance, credibility, and urgency of our work.

Our impact is powered by a small but mighty staff that continues to punch well above its weight. In 2025, we significantly strengthened our organizational capacity through the launch of a new fellowship and internship program, bringing the energy, talent, and perspectives of more than 20 additional individuals into our work. We were also honored to welcome several distinguished leaders to our Board of Directors in 2025, including Dr. Devin Fergus, Nat Hoopes, Kimberly Husley, La Shaun King, Troy Perry, Otis Rolley, and Lillian Singh. Their insight, leadership, and commitment have already made a meaningful difference in advancing the Joint Center’s mission.

As we move into 2026, we are equally excited to welcome Alexis Holmes, Steve Benjamin, Derrick Plummer, Alyson Northrup, and Joi Sheffield to our Board. Their diverse expertise and dedication to equity will further strengthen our leadership and deepen our capacity to meet this moment. As we look ahead, the challenges facing Black communities—and our democracy—remain substantial. But so too does the opportunity. With your continued partnership and support, the Joint Center will remain a trusted voice for rigorous analysis, bold policy ideas, and principled leadership in the pursuit of racial and economic equity.

Thank you for standing with us in this critical work.

Sincerely,
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, President, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies