About The Report

This comprehensive report was produced by the California Racial Equity Coalition (CREC), a group of over 100 organizations rooted in communities around the state, with decades of collective experience as racial equity practitioners. 

Grounded in lived experience, research, and decades of advocacy, this four-part report lays out how the state of California can move from good intentions and debate to policy implementation. By outlining actionable steps for lawmakers and regulars, the report serves as a blueprint for how to embed racial equity into the policies, budgets, and decisions that shape everyday life.

Together, these four briefs provide a roadmap for transforming systems, empowering constituents to be part of the decision-making process, and for delivering real just outcomes for communities most impacted by historical and modern inequities.

Budget Equity Tool Brief

Budgets are more than numbers—they reflect priorities and values. This brief introduces a Budget Equity Tool (BET) designed to ensure every public dollar advances racial equity. By requiring clear analysis, community input, and accountability at every stage of decision-making, this tool helps leaders shift budgeting from a technical exercise to a powerful lever for change—making equity the gold standard, not an afterthought.

Community Engagement Brief

Californians know what they need to thrive —and this brief offers guidance for how to ensure that their voices influence the policy decisions that affect them. Experts outline how to build meaningful, ongoing relationships with historically underserved communities through accessible, culturally responsive engagement.

Racial Equity Framework Brief

Achieving racial equity requires more than isolated efforts—it demands systemic change. From setting statewide goals to building accountability within government agencies and data systems; this brief offers a blueprint for transforming how the government operates. 

Legal Guidance Brief

During this day and age, advancing racial equity raises legal questions. This brief provides clarity by explaining what’s possible under Proposition 209 and recent court rulings, showing how race-conscious strategies can be lawful and drive meaningful change. 

Download Report (link to .pdf)

About The California Racial Equity Coalition

The California Racial Equity Coalition (CREC) represents a group of policy and government program advocates, researchers, organizers, capacity builders, and partners, dedicated to institutionalizing racial equity policy and programmatic work within government. In 2021, Senate Bill 17 authored by Senator Pan sought to create an Office of Racial Equity which inevitably became the Racial Equity Commission via Executive Order N-16-22. As a result of the coalition’s legislative advocacy efforts, the next phase of their work seeks to ensure the Racial Equity Commission fulfills all aspects of its directives that materializes in systemic change within government and the people whose lives they impact. 

Their objective is to advance toward making California’s communities healthier, safer, more equitable, and better served by California’s government. The process by which state government, state and local agencies, local government or any entity wanting to effect systemic change is a continuous journey. 

The 2024 CA Racial Equity Report contains key foundational policy and programmatic recommendations necessary to begin, continue and ultimately sustain the work towards an equitable future.