Across the country, communities and workers are shifting decision-making power to neighborhood residents, students and teachers, workers and working class communities. They are demanding accountability to ensure governing institutions uphold everyones’ fundamental human rights.

Collaborative governance, also known as co-governance, is a collection of participatory models and practices in which government and communities work together (through formal and informal structures) to make collective policy decisions, co-create programs to meet community needs, and ensure those policies and programs are implemented effectively.

Race Forward and Partners for Dignity & Rights are excited to announce the release of a new report, Co-Governing Toward Multiracial Democracy, featuring powerful models of collaborative governance led by communities of color across the country.

Table of Contents

• Executive Summary
• Introduction: The Path Towards a Multiracial Democracy
• The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and the Ongoing Struggle for Power
• People’s Assemblies in Jackson, Mississippi: Welcome, What Do You Have to Say?
• Restorative Practice in Paterson, New Jersey: Gentle Pressure Applied Relentlessly
• Worker Power Co-Enforcement in the Bay Area: Pulling People into the Fight
• Co-Governance and Participatory Democracy in Action Across the Country
• In Conclusion: Strategies for Co-Governance

The report illustrates it is possible to build power and give community members a say over their life decisions.This happens when organizations engage with government entities to change policy, establish a culture of justice, and center community participation.

Download the Report