Resources & Educational Materials

Several U.S. states and cities are taking steps toward supporting reparations initiatives, addressing the lasting impacts of slavery, segregation, and systemic discrimination. Here are some of the key states leading the way: 1. California California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans: Established in 2020, this statewide task force is examining the impacts of slavery and discrimination, with a focus on crafting proposals for reparations. In 2023, it issued recommendations for cash payments, housing assistance, and other forms of economic redress. 2. Illinois Evanston, Illinois: This Chicago suburb became the first city in the U.S. to implement a reparations program in 2021. The program initially provided housing grants to African American residents affected by discriminatory housing practices, funded through cannabis tax revenue. Chicago: In 2023, Chicago announced plans for a reparations commission to explore ways to address the city’s history of racial discrimination. 3. New York New York State Community Reparations Commission: In 2023, New York established a reparations commission to explore the economic, social, and political impacts of slavery and recommend potential reparative measures. 4. Maryland Annapolis and Baltimore: Baltimore’s city council created a reparations commission in 2022 to study how reparations could work locally. Maryland also passed legislation in 2021 providing $577 million over a decade to HBCUs, a measure widely regarded as a form of reparative action. 5. Massachusetts Amherst and Boston: Amherst formed a reparations fund in 2021 and Boston established a reparations task force in 2022, both aimed at studying local impacts of racial discrimination and developing reparations policies. 6. Vermont Burlington: The city of Burlington launched a reparations task force in 2021 to examine historical injustices and recommend reparative actions. 7. North Carolina Asheville: In 2020, Asheville City Council approved a reparations program focused on closing racial disparities in housing, healthcare, and economic opportunity. 8. Rhode Island Providence: The Providence city council established a reparations commission in 2020, which recommended various initiatives including affordable housing, workforce development, and public education improvements for African American and Indigenous residents. These initiatives are generally in early stages or limited in scope but represent growing local and state-level support for addressing historical racial injustices through reparations measures.