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Businesses are quieter on social justice issues as support for Black Lives Matter dips

Jun 20, 2023
Although companies are more cautious about their initiatives, most U.S .workers support focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Minneapolis protestors in 2020, the day following the murder of George Floyd. Public support of Black Lives Matter has dipped significantly since 2020's racial justice protests.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Historically Black school enrollment is rising, propelled by the Black Lives Matter movement

Jun 3, 2022
Many HBCUs were established in the years following the Civil War to educate Black people. Now, many are seeing an increase in applications.
Morgan State's freshman class nearly doubled last fall from the previous years. Above, students walk through the Baltimore campus in May.
Stephanie Hughes/Marketplace

Who's following up on corporate pledges of diversity?

May 24, 2021
A year after George Floyd's murder, companies have spent only a fraction of the money pledged toward racial equity.
Companies that make vague commitments to racial equity might not take concrete action to fulfill their pledges.
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Public pools used to be everywhere in America. Then racism shut them down.

Feb 15, 2021
In her new book, "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together," Heather McGhee looks at how racism drained not only public pools, but also public support for universal healthcare and other "big government" policies.
A child holds a sign at a Black Lives Matter protest in New York City on June 9, 2020.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Some colleges and universities look to re-up their commitment to Black studies

Oct 2, 2020
Schools around the country are offering grants for research projects on anti-Black racism. And some are committing to hire more professors with expertise in the study of race.
Florida International University anthropology professor Andrea Queeley, seen here teaching on the public university's campus in Miami earlier this year, has been fighting for years for the survival of the African and African Diaspora studies program. Now the administration is committing to "enhance" it as part of a university-wide effort to battle racism and racial injustice.
Leslie Ovalle for The Hechinger Report

How COVID-19 repurposed city streets

Sep 30, 2020
“If you ran a business, and you didn't update the way that you use your assets for 50 or 60 years, you'd probably be out of business,” said Seleta Reynolds, the general manager of the LA Department of Transportation.
People enjoy a newly added outdoor dining area created by the city partially blocking a main boulevard.  “My big challenge now is, how do I make this permanent?” said Seleta Reynolds, the general manager of the LA Department of Transportation.
Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images

Activist athletes can foster change, but sometimes there's a price

Aug 28, 2020
And sponsors may be increasingly interested in supporting them to reach their fans.
The Black Lives Matter logo on an NBA court. Many prominent athletes have committed themselves to social activism.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Pro athletes have a platform, and they're using it

Aug 27, 2020
By refusing to take to the court or field, players are trying to effect change. But how effective are they likely to be?
The court is empty after players strike game five between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic during the playoffs on Aug. 26.
Ashley Landis/Pool/Getty Images

Retailers pledge 15% of shelf space to Black-owned businesses

Aug 19, 2020
The 15 Percent Pledge is pushing retailers to devote more shelf space to Black-owned businesses.
A Sephora store in Santa Monica, California, in March. The beauty chain is participating in the 15 Percent Pledge.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Music industry confronts calls to 'make things right' for Black artists

Aug 6, 2020
Labels have long been accused of racist, exploitative practices toward artists. Some now pledge to support social justice and diversify executive ranks.
Rock 'n' roll great Chuck Berry in 1964. Berry was prevented from performing in segregated venues and had to share songwriting credit that belonged solely to him.
Terry Fincher/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images