We are at a critical moment in our nation’s history, where real progress on advancing racial justice is possible. Today, many scholars and organizers are working to expose and dismantle the structural racism that threatens our economy, society, and democracy. This reckoning reflects the vision of an ascendant multiracial coalition that is coalescing around an emergent worldviewone that moves beyond neoliberalism and racial liberalism; beyond the individualistic “colorblind” conceptions of access and opportunity that defines our current economic and political system. Roosevelt’s race and democracy program sits at this intersection. 

Building a racially just economy and democracy will require transformative action and structural changefrom bold public policy and democratic reform measures to grassroots political powerbuilding and the creation of new centers of democratic power. It also requires confronting white supremacist backlash and politicians who are increasingly embracing strategic racism as a weapon of division.

The Roosevelt Institute’s race and democracy program examines how race and racism have shaped power dynamics in politics and the economy; elevates the ideas driving today’s racial justice movement to dismantle structural racism; and explores the path forward to building a more equitable economy and democracy for the 21st century.

Our Race and Democracy Team

Bilal Baydoun

Director of Democratic Institutions

As director of democratic institutions, Bilal Baydoun oversees research on improving democratic governance, strengthening democratic institutions, and curbing the corrosive influence of private power on democracy.

Shahrzad Shams

Deputy Director, Democratic Institutions

Shahrzad Shams is the deputy director for the race and democracy team at Roosevelt, where she focuses on advancing racial equity, combating authoritarianism, and fighting for an inclusive multiracial democracy and economy.

Daniel Martinez HoSang

Fellow, Race and Democracy

As a fellow at the Roosevelt Institute, Daniel Martinez HoSang studies race and conservatism, including the historical and contemporary context for the growing number of people of color aligning with embracing right-wing politics.

Osita Nwanevu

Fellow, Democratic Institutions

As a fellow at the Roosevelt Institute, Osita Nwanevu researches democracy and political economy, with a particular emphasis on economic democracy and local politics.

Rachel Rebouché

Fellow, Democratic Institutions

As a Roosevelt Institute fellow, Rebouché will research and write about gender and economics.