By Kendrick Barnett Davis and Dwuana Bradley

This fall, we are excited to announce the launch of our Critical Policy Institute — an immersive policy experience co-constructed with the Rossier Black student collective — to address pressing policy-oriented issues across the P20 pipeline. During our inaugural convening, inspired by the interests of the student collective and local community organizations, the collective focused on the specific challenges facing Black communities, global and domestic. The discussions were framed within the context of the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), which emphasized the theme "From Vision to Victory." This conference highlighted the critical role of civic engagement and data-driven decision-making in shaping policies that promote equity and justice. 

Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference (ALC)
The theme of this year’s conference brought together policymakers, experts, and advocates to discuss the most pressing local, state and federal policy issues facing Black Americans. Sessions highlighted the critical importance of civic, political, and community engagement in shaping policies that advance equity and justice. Throughout the discussions, the invaluable role of research and data in decision-making was emphasized, underscoring how evidence-based approaches are essential in addressing systemic challenges and driving meaningful policy change.

In October, this work was highlighted in the USC Rossier Magazine. During the week of the U.S. presidential debate, we traveled to D.C. to connect students with a range of federal policy makers, K12 and higher education leaders, a variety of think tanks and community-driven education policy advocates. Our visits included time with:

The National Space Council
We met with Dr. Quincy Brown, Director of Space STEM and Workforce Policy, and Dr. Amber McIntyre at the National Space Council. Our discussions focused on how the Administration utilizes scientific data and analysis to address natural and human-made phenomena that disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, including racially and ethnically minoritized, low-income, and rural populations.

American Educational Research Association (AERA)
At AERA, we spoke with Dr. Lori Hill, Dr. George Wimberly, and Dr. Felice Levine about their advocacy efforts in federal policy, how graduate students can enter the policy space, and strategies for building relationships with professional organizations at different career stages. We also explored organizing a session at AERA in 2025 to highlight key policy experiences.

Progressive Policy Institute
Curtis Valentine, Co-Director of the Reinventing America’s Schools Project at the Progressive Policy Institute, shared his work in domestic and international education reform. We discussed the tensions between traditional public schools and charter schools, focusing on competition for funding, accountability, oversight, and equity in access, particularly through selective enrollment mechanisms.

Ed Trust
Dr. Jinaan Bitar, Director of Higher Education Research at Ed Trust, outlined the role of policy research firms and think tanks in shaping federal education policy. She described her personal journey in developing quantitative skills and emphasized the importance of using data and analytics to tackle racial and economic inequality in education.

DC Public Schools (DCPS)
Glenn Starnes, Senior Deputy Chief for DC Public Schools, spoke about his work leading the Social Emotional & Academic Development (SEAD) Office. We discussed the shared challenges urban districts like DCPS and LAUSD face in advancing educational improvements.

U.S. House of Representatives
At the U.S. House of Representatives, we met with members of Rep. DeSaulnier (D-CA) staff to discuss legislative priorities, including education policy, free speech, student debt, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and higher education affordability. We also examined the federal government's limited but important role in K12 education and the complexities of the policy-making process.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)
We met with Sean Burns, Esq. and Victor Santos at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to discuss their efforts in supporting students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through scholarships, capacity building and advocacy. We explored the organization's role in shaping federal policy and increasing opportunities for HBCU students to access quality education, resources and career pathways.

D.C. College Access Programs (DC-CAP)
We spoke with Eric Waldo, formerly of the Obama administration and now with DC-CAP. We explored the federal role in improving access, affordability and financing for students in K-12 and higher education. Additionally, we discussed various career pathways available to education researchers across the policy landscape.

Collectively, these meetings aimed to translate research into actionable policy recommendations, addressing issues such as K-12 educational equity, higher education affordability, workforce development and digital equity. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to inform a series of policy briefs that address how federal policy vehicles can help address issues of K-12 and higher educational disparities for Black communities. So far, students have conceptualized the following ideas to advance within and beyond the collective, citing CPI experiences as directly influencing the development or refinement of their inquiries:

K-12 Educational Equity

• Restorative Justice in School Discipline
• Equitable School Funding
• Chronic Absenteeism and Student Support

Higher Education Affordability and Access

• Student Debt and Financial Aid
• Diversity in Admissions Post-Affirmative Action
• Community College Transfer Pathways

Workforce Development and Economic Mobility

• Expanding STEM Opportunities for Underrepresented Students
• Apprenticeships and Career Readiness

Educational Technology and Digital Equity

• Addressing the Digital Divide
• Leveraging Educational Technology for Equity

As we reflect on the D.C. Critical Policy Institute, these interactions proved pivotal in shaping students’ policy inquiries and recommendations. Looking ahead, CPI will be producing a series of policy briefs and public information products, with a particular focus on amplifying issues that disproportionately affect Black Americans and other minoritized communities. Over the next six months, we are committed to establishing robust feedback loops to enhance our collaboration with local California community partners to continue aligning our priorities with those of our community. 

We look forward to engaging colleagues and student collectives interested in the work that we’re doing at AERA 2025 and the Rossier Research Conference, as students intend to share their briefs in these robust intellectual communities. Additionally, we will host bi-monthly workshops aimed at empowering graduate students to leverage their scholarship for grant writing and institutional resourcing. Together, we can foster a more inclusive and informed community.