Establishing the New Jersey Reparations Commission to study the state's history of slavery and recommend reparative policies and investments

this rwjf funding supports the new jersey institute for social justice (the institute) and the rutgers inclusion project in launching the new jersey reparations commission (the commission) to study new jersey's unique history of slavery and the impact of its legacy on the contemporary life of black people, with the goal of releasing a report with findings and recommendations for strategic and reparative policies and investments to address the historical harms and impacts of slavery in new jersey. the commission's report will be shared broadly and will inform the work of the proposed new jersey reparations task force, which is currently being considered in the state legislature. the project director will be the institute's jean-pierre brutus, senior counsel, economic development. as a private foundation, rwjf cannot engage in lobbying or directly support lobbying through earmarked lobbying grants. this grant will include funds for the institute to retain outside counsel familiar with lobbying (as defined under federal tax law). outside counsel will assist the institute in ensuring that activities under this grant do not involve lobbying. the institute will not use foundation funds for lobbying efforts.