PolicyLink
PolicyLink is a national research and action institute dedicated to advancing economic and social equity. It focuses on policies affecting low-income communities and communities of color.[1] It is a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California,[2][3] with branch offices in New York City; Washington, DC; and Los Angeles.[4]
Background
Founded in 1999 by Angela Glover Blackwell, PolicyLink aims to create sustainable communities by improving communities' access to quality jobs, affordable housing, good schools, transportation, and other prerequisites for healthy neighborhoods.[5] Taking an approach that emphasizes localism, it pursues its mission by facilitating local organizations and grassroots organizers. The group shares its findings and analyses through its website, publications and blog; it also convenes national summits, and holds briefings with national and local policymakers.[5]
As of 2016, PolicyLink holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, based on an overall score of 87 out of 100.[6]
Focus areas
Center for Health and Place
Angela Glover Blackwell, PolicyLink CEO, wrote in the Washington Post that "Congress must start thinking of health beyond health care .... We can no longer afford to have a 'sickness-driven' view of our health. We must create healthier communities—places with easy access to fresh food, parks, safe streets, and clean air—to help all Americans live healthier, longer lives and reduce health-care costs while we're at it."[7] This focus on health policy has led to the group’s collaborations with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity and The Healthy Eating Active Living Convergence Partnership.
Board of directors
PolicyLink's board of directors includes:[8]
- James O. Gibson, Center for the Study of Social Policy (Chair Emeritus)
- Dolores Acevedo-Garcia, Brandeis University
- Richard Baron, McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc.
- Sheri Dunn Berry, Community Partners
- Angela Glover Blackwell, PolicyLink CEO
- Geoffrey Canada, author and CEO of Harlem Children's Zone
- Radhika Fox, US Water Alliance
- Stewart Kwoh, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles
- Catherine S. Muther, Three Guineas Fund
- Manuel Pastor, Jr., University of Southern California
- Michael Skolnik, entrepreneur
- Joan Walsh, The Nation
- William Julius Wilson, Harvard University
References
- "About: Mission Statement". PolicyLink. policylink.org. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
- Kilpatrick, Andrea; Silverman, Les (2005). "The Power of Vision". Strategy & Leadership. ISSN 1087-8572. Vol. 33, No. 2 (Special issue: A Corporate Manager's Guide to Taking a Leadership Role in Non-Profits and applying strategic management tools and techniques). p. 24.
- "PolicyLink". GuideStar. guidestar.org. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
- "About: Locations". PolicyLink. policylink.org. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
- Begun, James W.; Malcolm, Jan K. (2014). Leading Public Health: A Competency Framework. New York: Springer. ISBN 9780826199065. pp. 60-61.
- "PolicyLink". Charity Navigator. charitynavigator.org. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
- Blackwell, Angela Glover (June 6, 2009). "Building Healthy Communities". The Washington Post. washingtopost.com. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
- "Board". PolicyLink. policylink.org. Retrieved 2017-06-10.