Institutional Antiracism & Accountability Project (IARA)

As we step into 2025, we’re thrilled to share that the IARA Project is embarking on a new chapter. Beginning in the new year, we will continue our work at a new home institution: the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. In the letter below, Professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad reflects on the significance of this transition and outlines what’s to come. On behalf of the IARA team, we would like to thank everyone at the Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation for their enormous support and kindness in our years working together. We’re deeply grateful for this community and look forward to continued collaboration. We might be moving to Princeton, but this LinkedIn page isn't going anywhere. Stay tuned for updates in the new year! 💫

📣 We're looking for a Research Assistant to join our team. This part-time role will support a research project investigating the archives of the American Medical Association (AMA) for race-related historical harms. The job description includes: 🗝️ Keyword development to find relevant data within the AMA archives 🔍 Search and retrieval of relevant data from digital archives 🗃️ Data organization into a structured database 🤝 Project support for a landmark research project Sounds exciting? Learn more about the role and how to apply here: https://lnkd.in/eQBJyp9m 🔁 Help us spread the word by sharing this post!

It was an honor to join esteemed colleagues for this important panel on the global impact of the U.S. presidential election. Thanks to the Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation for organizing this event.

What is the future of democracy and human rights after the 2024 U.S. presidential election? I shared some commentary in the latest publication from the Harvard Carr Center for Human Rights Policy. https://lnkd.in/evKRECwp

Here's a great example of how to reshape an industry. 👇 Oscar-nominated filmmaker and screenwriter Ava DuVernay sees film as a powerful tool to challenge societal norms and advance racial justice. In an industry where barriers to impact-driven work are high, DuVernay’s company ARRAY has pioneered an innovative financing model that prioritizes social impact over profit. By combining philanthropic funding with private investment, she’s created a pathway for more meaningful storytelling. The result? Greater creative freedom and a disruption of Hollywood norms. This recent case study from Harvard Business School outlines how DuVernay’s approach could serve as a blueprint for future filmmakers committed to equity, inclusion, and cultural change. Read more in this summary by Roderick Taylor on the Race, Research, and Policy Portal (RRAPP): https://lnkd.in/ezYJcFMC To learn more about Ava's approach, check out her talk with Professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad: https://lnkd.in/euwYmN65 #SocialImpact #Film #AvaDuVernay #RRAPP

The Ash Center's Institutional Antiracism & Accountability Project (IARA) just concluded a three-year study (2021-2024) examining global truth-telling, justice, and healing efforts, including truth commissions and tribunals. This project sought to uncover accountability mechanisms and best practices that could inform similar initiatives in the U.S. and beyond. The culminating Symposium on Global Justice, Truth-Telling, and Healing convened 25 international and U.S. leaders, advocates, and experts to discuss findings, share experiences, and foster dialogue on advancing racial, ethnic, and Indigenous justice. Read more here! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eeRjFGes.

Since the U.S. election, newsfeeds have been filled with alarming — and at times, outright threatening — headlines. With rumors of mass deportations, department shutdowns and nation-wide DEI bans, it's easy to resign to the narrative before fully understanding it. John Palfrey, President of the MacArthur Foundation, urges us to resist this impulse, and not to comply with rules before they exist. “That's how authoritarians win," he emphasized. At the recent #TruthandTransformation panel, Palfrey discussed the philanthropy sector as a key example. In the wake of last year’s SCOTUS decision against affirmative action — a ruling that applies specifically to educational institutions — many philanthropic leaders are already feeling the pressure to conform. This response, the panel agreed, stems from fear rather than necessity, and it's critical to know the difference. Tune in to the full discussion, moderated by Erica Jacqueline Licht, to hear more valuable insights on how to navigate the months leading up to the new administration. 👉 Watch the full panel discussion on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eRNfsZxV 👉 Read six key takeaways from the event: https://lnkd.in/eKbvtgUe

Here's Professor Leah Wright Rigueur — explaining how Trump uses whiteness to scapegoat economic & social grievances onto people of color and immigrants. This clip shared by The Emancipator highlights a key moment from our webinar last week. Curious to hear more from Professor Rigueur & Professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad? Check out the full video via YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eRfsjP97

Join us on Tuesday, November 19th to celebrate the Center for Anti-Racism's second anniversary! This special event will feature Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, a renowned professor from Harvard Kennedy School, in conversation with Center Director Timothy Welbeck. Together, they’ll explore key insights on history, race, and public policy. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with powerful voices working to advance anti-racism and social justice.

Two days after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad and Professor Leah Wright Rigueur hosted an online conversation addressing the current political moment. Examining exit poll data, the two historians worked together to make sense of the election’s outcome, answering pressing questions on many minds: ➡️ Why did Harris' candidacy, historic as it was, ultimately fall short? ➡️ What is 'grievance populism', and how does it help explain the racist narratives used in this election? ➡️ Which communities of color broke historic loyalties this election, and why? ➡️ With so much at stake, where do we go from here? In case you missed it, this article covers the most salient points from the webinar hosted by the IARA Project & the Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. 📄 Read the recap: https://lnkd.in/en_r_2-W 📺 Watch the full webinar: https://lnkd.in/eRfsjP97