Applications close at noon on Friday, June 5

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Position Type: Advisory 

Length: Approximately 6-8 hours of reviewing materials and 4–5 total discussion hours (across three sessions)

Compensation: Anticipated up to $400 per participant, pending funding availability (not currently funded)

Selection Process: Application and selection by the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs.  Apply here.

Position Overview: The Reparations Community Advisory Panel serves as a critical partner in the Charles Mitchell and George Washington Bush Study, grounding data-driven findings in lived experience. Panel members will work directly with the Policy & Valuation Leads, Dr. Thomas Craemer and Marvin Slaughter, through engaging in structured discussions to help interpret community data, ensuring that the data reflects the realities, histories, and perspectives of the communities it represents. Through storytelling, dialogue, and feedback, members will contribute to shaping equitable and informed reparations policy recommendations.

 

Impact of the Role

Community Advisory Panel members will play a vital role in ensuring that the community’s perspective is reflected in this work. Their contributions help transform data into meaningful narratives, strengthen the validity of findings, and ensure that final recommendations are responsive, authentic, and community-centered.

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Key Responsibilities

1. Participate in Community Insight Sessions (Focus Group Format)

• Attend one to two initial sessions (approximately 2 hours total).

• Engage in guided discussions.

• Reflect on and respond to key findings from community survey data.

• Share personal and community-based experiences to contextualize and deepen understanding of the data.

• Help identify themes, gaps, and context that may not be captured through quantitative data alone.

2. Review and Provide Feedback on Interim Report

• Review the interim report in advance of the second meeting.

• Attend a 1-2 -hour session to discuss findings and preliminary recommendations.

• Offer feedback, identify areas for clarification, and suggest additional considerations.

• Ensure the report accurately reflects community perspectives and priorities.

3. Contribute to Final Recommendations 

• Participate in a final 1-2-hour meeting.

• Review final recommendations and community insights.

• Provide feedback on clarity, relevance, and alignment with community needs.

• Help validate that that final product authentically represents community voices.

 

Expectations

• Understand that this role is advisory and ultimately reports to the Policy and Valuation team.

• Attend all scheduled sessions (1 initial session up to 2 hours; 2 follow-up sessions of 1 hour each).

• Review materials in advance of meetings (particularly the interim report).

• Maintain confidentiality of shared data and discussions when required.

• Contribute constructively and respectfully to all discussions.

 

Qualifications

• Strong connection to and understanding of the community being represented.

• Willingness to share perspectives, experiences, and insights in a collaborative setting.

• Ability to engage respectfully in dialogue across diverse viewpoints.

• Interest in equity, justice, and community-informed policy or program development.

• No formal research experience required.