California Black Power Network
Uniting around solutions for economic equity for Black communities
The California Black Power Network (CBPN), a coalition of Black-led organizations, recognized the need to unify their efforts to address economic development and built environment issues. Despite extensive research to identify challenges, the network struggled to align on actionable strategies to drive progress. CBPN turned to Fractal Strategies to develop policy briefs on economic development and the built environment that could guide their advocacy, community engagement, and long-term planning.
Process
From the onset, we recognized that addressing the root causes of inequities would require more than just a review of existing policies; it would demand a fresh perspective and willingness to challenge the status quo. By analyzing the landscape and engaging directly with CBPN’s members and community leaders, we employed targeted universalism – crafting strategies tailored to the unique needs of Black communities with the potential for statewide impact. And to ensure our recommendations were practical and resonated with those most affected, we engaged directly with CBPN’s members and community leaders. Their insights were crucial in shaping statewide legislative strategies as well as administrative and even judicial avenues for change. Even with a tight deadline, we prioritized stakeholder collaboration to ensure the strategies were rooted in the realities of the communities they were designed to serve.
Results
Fractal Strategies delivered two comprehensive and actionable policy briefs, providing CBPN with the tools to inform their legislative priorities and advocacy. The briefs included a root cause analysis to ensure that the recommended solutions addressed the underlying issues rather than just their symptoms. We also incorporated real-world examples and case studies, making the briefs accessible and actionable for diverse audiences.
The impact of our work was significant. CBPN was able to use our recommendations to not only shape their legislative agenda but also to diversify their approach to include a broader range of systems-level strategies. Our collaboration supported CBPN to become more effective, sustainable, and impactful in their work, strengthening their ability to drive meaningful change across California.
Let’s Work Together
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