We support an agenda for positive social change and the development of stronger, healthier, sustainable communities through our research and educational programs in conjunction with all of Tulane’s schools and colleges. ISRP is currently in a planning year and seeks to begin active research and programming in the near future. ISRP is a part of Tulane’s Partnership for the Transformation of Urban Communities (PTUC) and hopes to work closely with other local, regional and national institutions and organizations.

Research Goals and Objectives:

• Conduct and review analyses of the intersection of race and poverty, with particular attention focused on the local metropolitan area and the policies and practices that perpetuate cumulative long-term economic and social disadvantage.
• Maintain an ongoing exploration of “best organizational practices and policies” and become a clearinghouse for such information.  Develop the capacity to respond to corporate, civic, community, and governmental requests to undertake intra-organizational analyses and policy assessments that impede full racial parity and harmony with evaluative analysis and behavioral recommendations conducted by multi-disciplinary research teams.
• Develop the capacity to facilitate culturally sensitive community-based research

Education, Programming & Dissemination Goals and Objectives

• Disseminate research findings and policy recommendations via print and electronic media.
• Host conferences, workshops, and training sessions for policymakers, corporations, civic organizations, and community groups.

Policy & Practice Goals and Objectives

• Develop research-based, change-oriented recommendations for the elimination of existent public policies and private practices that reproduce racialized poverty and contribute to the perpetuation of disadvantage.
• Promote practices and policies that engender inclusion and equality of opportunity.

Advocacy Goals and Objectives

• Support implementation of policy recommendations and opportunity-enhancing norms and practices via research dissemination, educational initiatives and lobbying of elected officials and policymakers.

Community Advisory Board

• Eugene Cornelius, Director, Small Business Administration, New Orleans Chapter
• Lee Hampton, Executive Director, Amistad Research Center
• Russell Henderson, Organizer, Rebuilding Louisiana Coalition
• Stacy Horn Koch, Director, Covenant House
• Phuong Pham, Assistant Professor, Payson Center for Int’l Development & Technology Transfer
• Ted Quant, Director, Twomey Center, Loyola University (NOLA)
• Patti Riddlebarger, Director, Corp. Social Responsibility, Entergy Services, Inc.
• James Perry, Executive Director, Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (GNOFHAC)
• Petrice Sams-Abiodun, Interim Director, Lindy Boggs Learning Center, Loyola University (NOLA)
• Sr. Lory Schaff, Justice Education Programs
• Karla Z. Sikaffy, Director, Adult Education, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of N.O
• Orlando Watkins, V.P. Programs, Greater New Orleans Foundation
• Kyshun Webster, Special Assistant to President, Community Programs, Xavier University