Black Values Research

Since 2020, the DPI Fund and its partners have conducted extensive research to understand the values and political identities that drive Black civic participation. What we found is a direct relationship between a Black person’s belief in their own power to drive change and their level of civic participation, including voting. So, the way to increase Black political participation is to understand Black people as political agents and develop engagement strategies and programs that demonstrate to Black people that they have the power to win what they want and that elections are a strategy for them to realize that power. The other important lesson from our research is that there is not one kind of Black voter. In 2024, Sojourn, HIT, and state-based organizing groups in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan conducted a national survey of the Black electorate and discovered five values clusters that provide insight into the differences within the Black community that drive civic and political engagement.  

“Campaigns and organizations are making historic investments to engage Black voters but they’re missing a critical piece of the puzzle, and a Black values survey is the key,” said Dr. Katrina Gamble. “Too many segments of the Black electorate feel isolated and ignored by the political industry because no one has taken the time to understand the roots of their cynicism and mistrust of politics. This research reveals the nuances, motivations, and unique messages that different communities of Black voters need to hear so community organizers can build more effective programs and narratives that inspire people to vote.”

DPI partners, including POWER Interfaith in Pennsylvania, New Georgia Project, Detroit Action Education Fund, Florida Rising Together, North Carolina Black Alliance have been among the first in the nation to implement the Black Values research and build data-informed programs to reach the different values segments, including through innovations in relational organizing, digital organizing, and door-to-door canvassing.