Contents
Overview
The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is a social justice think tank that addresses structural inequality and systemic oppression through a lens of intersectionality, focusing on issues of gender, race, class, and diversity. Founded by Kimberlé Crenshaw, a prominent civil rights activist and law professor, AAPF has published influential reports such as 'Say Her Name: Resisting Police Brutality against Black Women', which highlights the often-overlooked experiences of Black women victims of police brutality. By collaborating with organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), AAPF works to promote frameworks and strategies for achieving racial justice and empowering marginalized communities.
🌈 Origins & History
The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) was founded by Kimberlé Crenshaw, a renowned civil rights activist and law professor, in collaboration with other prominent scholars and activists, including Angela Davis and bell hooks. AAPF's work is deeply rooted in the principles of intersectionality, a concept coined by Crenshaw herself, which recognizes the multiple forms of oppression that individuals may face based on their race, gender, class, and other identity markers. By partnering with organizations like the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), AAPF has been able to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and push for policy changes that address the complex needs of Black women and other intersectionally marginalized groups.
📊 How It Works
AAPF's approach to social justice is characterized by its commitment to bridging the gaps between arts, activism, and academia. The organization has worked with artists like Ava DuVernay and Kendrick Lamar to create cultural productions that raise awareness about social justice issues, such as police brutality and mass incarceration. AAPF has also collaborated with academic institutions like Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley to develop and promote research-based frameworks for understanding and addressing structural inequality. For example, AAPF's report 'Say Her Name: Resisting Police Brutality against Black Women' was developed in partnership with the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies at Columbia University, and has been widely cited by scholars and activists, including Angela Davis and Michelle Alexander.
🌍 Cultural Impact
The release of 'Say Her Name: Resisting Police Brutality against Black Women' in 2015 marked a significant turning point in the national conversation about police brutality and anti-Black violence. The report, which was developed in collaboration with the Black Lives Matter movement and other social justice organizations, documents the stories of Black women who have been killed by police, and provides analytical frameworks for understanding the intersections of race, gender, and class that shape their experiences. By highlighting the often-overlooked experiences of Black women, AAPF's report helped to shift the focus of the national conversation about police brutality, and has inspired a new wave of activism and advocacy focused on intersectional justice. For instance, the report has been cited by activists like Tarana Burke and Alicia Garza, and has influenced policy initiatives like the End Racial Profiling Act and the Police Accountability Act.
🔮 Legacy & Future
As AAPF looks to the future, the organization remains committed to its mission of building bridges between arts, activism, and academia in order to address structural inequality and systemic oppression. With the support of funders like the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Foundations, AAPF is continuing to develop and promote frameworks and strategies for achieving racial justice and empowering marginalized communities. By collaborating with a new generation of social justice leaders, including activists like Colin Kaepernick and Opal Tometi, AAPF is helping to shape the future of the social justice movement, and to ensure that the voices and experiences of Black women and other intersectionally marginalized groups are at the forefront of the national conversation about justice and equality.
Key Facts
- Year
- 2015
- Origin
- United States
- Category
- culture
- Type
- organization
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the African American Policy Forum's mission?
The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is a social justice think tank that seeks to build bridges between arts, activism, and academia in order to address structural inequality and systemic oppression. AAPF's mission is to develop and promote frameworks and strategies for achieving racial justice and empowering marginalized communities, with a particular focus on the experiences of Black women and other intersectionally marginalized groups. For example, AAPF has worked with organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to develop policy initiatives that address the complex needs of Black women and communities.
What is the significance of the 'Say Her Name' report?
The 'Say Her Name: Resisting Police Brutality against Black Women' report, released by AAPF in 2015, is a landmark document that highlights the often-overlooked experiences of Black women victims of police brutality. The report documents the stories of Black women who have been killed by police, and provides analytical frameworks for understanding the intersections of race, gender, and class that shape their experiences. By shedding light on these experiences, the report has helped to shift the focus of the national conversation about police brutality, and has inspired a new wave of activism and advocacy focused on intersectional justice. For instance, the report has been cited by activists like Tarana Burke and Alicia Garza, and has influenced policy initiatives like the End Racial Profiling Act and the Police Accountability Act.
How does AAPF collaborate with other organizations?
AAPF collaborates with a wide range of organizations, including social justice groups, academic institutions, and arts organizations. For example, AAPF has worked with the Black Lives Matter movement, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to develop and promote frameworks and strategies for achieving racial justice and empowering marginalized communities. AAPF has also partnered with academic institutions like Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley to develop and promote research-based frameworks for understanding and addressing structural inequality. By collaborating with these organizations, AAPF is able to amplify the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, and to push for policy changes that address the complex needs of Black women and other intersectionally marginalized groups.
What is the role of intersectionality in AAPF's work?
Intersectionality is a core concept in AAPF's work, and is used to understand and address the multiple forms of oppression that individuals may face based on their race, gender, class, and other identity markers. AAPF's founder, Kimberlé Crenshaw, is a leading scholar on intersectionality, and has developed frameworks for applying intersectional analysis to social justice issues. By using an intersectional lens, AAPF is able to develop and promote frameworks and strategies that address the complex needs of marginalized communities, and to push for policy changes that recognize and address the intersections of race, gender, class, and other forms of oppression. For example, AAPF's report 'Say Her Name: Resisting Police Brutality against Black Women' uses an intersectional lens to understand the experiences of Black women victims of police brutality, and to develop strategies for addressing the intersections of race, gender, and class that shape their experiences.
How can I get involved with AAPF's work?
There are many ways to get involved with AAPF's work, including volunteering, donating, and participating in AAPF's events and campaigns. AAPF also offers internships and fellowships for students and young professionals who are interested in social justice and intersectional advocacy. By getting involved with AAPF, individuals can help to amplify the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, and to push for policy changes that address the complex needs of Black women and other intersectionally marginalized groups. For example, AAPF has worked with organizations like the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to develop and promote campaigns that address the intersections of race, gender, and class, and has collaborated with artists like Ava DuVernay and Kendrick Lamar to create cultural productions that raise awareness about social justice issues.