Racism has indelibly shaped the history of the United States, and continues to influence American culture, social relationships, politics, educational systems, and the economy. Interrogating the history of racism and race as ideology is critical to a deeper understanding of the systemic inequities that persist in such areas as health, employment and economic security, education, credit, access to capital, housing, and policing and criminal justice.

As an institution located in North Carolina and the American South, Duke University is connected to the painful history of slavery, segregation, systemic racism, and violence that Black Americans have faced. As a major research institution, Duke is well-positioned to leverage its strong research expertise and resources to deepen our understanding of race and racism, and to apply that knowledge to redress past injustices and to produce more equitable social outcomes.