Research Reports
BlackRoots Alliance is dedicated to advancing liberation for all Black people. Our methodology involves organizing and activating Black Chicagoans around the issues that matter to them. Our main campaigns include reparations, community safety, and economic security. We collaborate with other like-minded organizations to share the different paths we've discovered on the road to liberation. One of the methods we use for our joint work is research projects. These publications center Black residents in conversations where we ask questions, although sometimes difficult, to gain their perspective. We take all of this feedback and share it publicly for community consumption with the hopes that the information can ignite new discussions and ultimately create solutions to community issues.
BlackRoots Alliance in collaboration with the National Black Public Defender Association (BPDA), the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender, and a consultant team from Northwestern University, proudly presents the final report of a year-long project. The project, initiated in July 2022, included virtual meetings and conversations with 103 Black people in Chicago and nearby suburbs. The project aimed to undertake a comprehensive public safety assessment in Chicago by engaging Black Chicagoans in community listening sessions.
The Reinvest 2 Repair project seeks to explore the potential role of reparations for chattel slavery and systemic Blackness in healing historical injustices. By promoting community reconciliation, this initiative aims to create lasting social, economic, health, and cultural conditions that expand opportunities for Black people and pave the way for a more equitable future.