Equals Change Blog

In an executive order, Governor Andrew Cuomo restored voting rights to over 24,000 New Yorkers currently on parole. It's an important step forward for criminal justice reform, for voting rights, and for racial justice.

Protecting human rights defenders and social leaders in Colombia—like Temistocles Machado, who was killed last month—remains an uphill battle.

Universal free school lunch is a simple but radical idea. It removes stigma, improves children’s health and education, and helps low-income families make ends meet. Because it is one system, it also simplifies administrative processes, allowing schools, principals, and teachers to focus on teaching.

Earlier this summer, the Ford Foundation launched an interactive tool called Your American Dream Score, which aims to help each of us examine the factors that have helped us succeed or held us back, and to start conversations about the role of inequality and opportunity in our lives.

Around the world, corporations are using Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) to silence environmental activists. 

Darren Walker reflects on four of his commencement speeches, addressing how around the world, democracy and democratic values are under siege, and our responsibilities to protect democracy. 

The Ford Foundation will continue to be a major funder in this field, supporting human rights actors and practices within all our efforts to overcome inequality.

The global refugee crisis poses a range of challenges to host countries but also economic and cultural opportunities. Policy solutions that ensure refugees’ dignity and help build their skills, talents, and assets will ensure that migrants can live full lives and contribute to their new communities.

El Salvador's Congress voted to prohibit metallic mining, putting aside their differences to protect human health and the environment.

Bringing the Truth Home tells the story of the 34 miners shot down in Marikana during their strike for a living wage in 2012, attempting to right the prevailing narrative. 

The power of the Women’s March can't be sustained without people coming together to resist the sources not only of their own oppression but also of each other’s.

10 pressing tech issues that exist at the nexus of technology and social justice.

Darren Walker writes about finding hope amid the global challenges of 2016.

America Divided, a new documentary series from EPIX, explores narratives around inequality in education, housing, healthcare, labor, criminal justice and the political system.

Ford Foundation staff recap Episode 5 of America Divided and discuss domestic workers' rights and voter suppression

Ford Foundation staff recap episode 4 of America Divided and discuss the influence of big money in politics and protecting the rights of undocumented immigrants. 

The Ford Foundation recaps episode 2 of America Divided, a docu-series about rising inequality in the United States.

The first episode of America Divided, a new documentary series from EPIX, explores three issues of American inequality: our nation's broken criminal justice system, the Flint water crisis, and housing issues in New York City. 

Javier Ciurlizza, the Ford Foundation’s Andean Region representative, discusses the strategy behind the opening of a new regional headquarters in Bogotá, Colombia, inequality in Colombia, the historic peace agreement, and what’s ahead for the region.

El 5 de septiembre de 2016, la Fundación Ford abrirá una nueva oficina regional en Bogotá (Colombia), la cual se convertirá en la sede central de nuestras labores en la Región Andina. Javier Ciurlizza, director de la fundación para esta región, habla sobre la estrategia que motivó el traslado, así como la desigualdad en Colombia, el histórico acuerdo de paz y lo que le espera a la región en el futuro.

The ceasefire between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrillas ends 50 years of conflict and creates an opportunity to make Colombia more safe, just, and equal.

A framework for achieving more meaningful and active voter participation. 

Just and inclusive cities put people first, and put equity and social justice at the center of policy and design.

America’s racial demographics are changing and there are major implications for elections and the political process.

Author Steve Phillips offers some bold ideas to address inequality and close America's racial wealth gap

Upcoming censuses in Colombia and Peru present opportunities for greater inclusion, for every person to count and be counted.

Los próximos censos en Colombia y Perú presentan oportunidades para una mayor inclusión, para que cada persona cuente y sea contada. 

What Flint can learn from a new generation of civic activism and engagement among diverse Detroit communities.

How can lessons from gentrification around the world inspire change in Egypt?

The foundation-supported Center for Popular Democracy’s Fed Up campaign educates the Fed and the public at large on racial and economic disparities.

Education and voting are fundamental rights, and they’re also essential opportunities. So when a federal appeals panel ruled against a strict voter ID law in Texas this week—deeming it discriminatory and in violation of the Voting Rights Act—it was an encouraging sign. It was also evidence that there’s still a serious need for our 50-year-old civil rights law. And that disenfranchisement doesn’t exist in a vacuum.

Lessons learned from Nigeria's election.

Mario Bronfman, former representative of the Mexico and Central America office, reflects on the foundation's commitment to Cuba.

Program officer Jean Ross celebrates 20 years of impact made by the State Priorities Partnership (SPP).

Colombia's indigenous communities finally have the autonomy to govern themselves and manage resources at the local level.