“IPS kicked off 2015 with a joyous and historic celebration of social change- by honoring Representative John Conyers (D-MI) for becoming the first African-American to serve in Congress for at least 50 years.

It was an evening filled with exquisite food, moving speeches, a cheering and at times choked up audience, and several tributes to John Conyers’ remarkable achievements. Rep. Conyers was a crucial figure in passing fundamental legislation including the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and the Violence Against Women Act, each of which have changed the lives of millions of people and improved today’s society beyond measure.

Rep. Conyers was a leader in IPS’ Economic Rights Bus Tours through poor parts of the country in the 1990s, a key ally in advocating peace and diplomacy rather than military intervention, and a leader in the struggle for political, economic and racial justice through both the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus. We are truly privileged to have John Conyers as our ally

and our friend.

The evening’s speakers toasted Rep. Conyers for the progress he made in civil and human rights, and exchanged stories about how he has touched their own lives. Actor and activist Danny Glover shared that, “John is always bringing people together. He is always on the right side of history.”

P1: Celebrating Rep. John Conyers: The first African-American to serve Congress for 50 years.

IPS CELEBRATES JOHN CONYERS’ 50 YEARS OF SERVICE

Nixon was totally correct in seeing John [Conyers] as a threat… He’s proved to be a very dangerous threat to the forces that want to undermine democracy.

-Marc Raskin, IPS Co-Founder

See “Conyers” on page 3

INSIDE IPS Spring 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

P2: State of Our Neighborhood: Tackling Housing and Race in Jamaica Plain, Boston.

P3: Supporter Spotlight: Angelique Been and her commitment to IPS’ future.

P4: Director’s Desk: IPS welcomes new Associate Director, Tiffany WilliamsCivil rights leader Julian Bond and three members of the Nixon “Enemies List,” Cong.

Charles Rangel, Cong. John Conyers, and IPS co-founder Marcus Raskin

“

Page 2

The fifth annual State of Our Neighborhood (SOON) event, organized by IPS’ Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition project (based in Boston, MA) brought over 300 local residents together to discuss housing justice issues in their community and in their city. Every year, the State of Our Neighborhood event engages local residents and their elected officials in a dialogue about the most pressing neighborhood concerns.

This year’s event tackled racial equity and housing issues. The evening was facilitated by Malia Lazu, a former IPS’ fellow, who began by grounding Jamaica Plain and Boston’s housing issues in the broader context of racial justice. A performance by local artists and a screening of the documentary, Ain’t No One Can Afford This, highlighted the issue of gentrification, and helped set the tone for the important discussion.

One crucial goal of this year’s State of Our Neighborhood event was to expose the economic realities faced by Jamaica Plain residents when it comes to housing conditions. As with previous years, those in attendance asked their local and state officials to publicly commit to take action to address various concerns raised during the event. Local and state officials in attendance made public commitments to secure more affordable housing options, to fight for living wages, and to promote just-cause evictions in the city.

The 2015 State of Our Neighborhood event was a great forum for local residents to share their own stories of injustices – personal stories that point to systemic problems and that connect to a broader narrative of injustice. In amplifying untold and unheard stories, leaders and policymakers can make changes that work well for everyone.

STATE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD 2015Tackling Racial Justice and Housing in Boston’s Jamaica Plain

STAFF TRANSITIONS

We are excited to welcome these new wonderful additions to the IPS staff:

• Tiffany Williams, who transitioned from her work with IPS’ Break the Chain Campaign into a new role as IPS’ Associate Director.

• Cecilia Velasco, who joined IPS in late 2014 as our new New Mexico Fellow.

• Josh Hoxie, who will be working on the estate tax and other issues related to concentrated wealth.

• Eric VanDreason, who joined IPS in March as the new Newman Fellow.

Best of luck to our former colleagues:• Diana Torres, former New Mexico Fellow,

has joined Jobs with Justice, an IPS ally.• Leslie Garvey, former Newman Fellow, has

joined the Project on Government Oversight (POGO).

• Orion Kriegman, who co-founded the Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition, has joined the Boston Food Forest Coalition.

Community leaders and local and state representatives discuss issues of race and housing in Jamaica Plain.

Page 3

Angelique Been is IPS’ Development Director. She describes in her own words why she decided to be a monthly IPS supporter.

One of the first things I did when I joined the IPS staff was to double-down my c o m m i t m e n t to IPS with a

monthly contribution. When I made the decision I reflected, “How could I possibly ask anyone to donate to this organization if I didn’t make the commitment myself?”

The reason I donated was ultimately about more than just my responsibility as a staff member or a gesture I felt compelled to make as a fundraiser – it was because I wanted to demonstrate my passion

for IPS’ mission.

As someone who treads the space between a GenXer and a Millennial, I am seeking more engagement with IPS than ever before. Today, we crave information and communication that happens in real time, in literal and not abstract terms, and with an expectation of greater responsiveness.

As the staff member entrusted with ensuring that supporters feel a stronger connection to our purpose, I’m challenging my team and the entire organization to find more ways to involve progressives across generations in our work - the best way we can promote democracy and challenge concentrated wealth, corporate influence, and military power is together.

CONNECT WITH IPS

Supporter Spotlight: Angelique Been

Conyers’ 50 Years of Service>> Continued from Page 1

InstituteforPolicyStudies

IPS_DC

We also invite you to visit our project websites:

• Inequality.org• Otherwords.org• FPIF.org• TooMuchOnline.org• EconomicHardship.org• JustInvestment.org

ips-dc.org

When IPS Co-Founder Marcus Raskin acknowledged Rep. Conyers, Marc remembered that he and the Congressman were among the few living members of President Richard Nixon’s Enemies list. Raskin declared, “Nixon was totally correct in seeing John as a threat… He’s proved to be a very dangerous threat to the forces that want to undermine democracy.”

Karen Dolan, an IPS Fellow who organized this historic event, reflected on Rep. Conyers’ legacy: “Congressman Conyers has a deep history of giving voice to the voiceless on Capitol Hill. Too few

of our elected representatives are true public servants. If the policies Mr. Conyers has forged and fought for were the law of the land today, we’d be living in a more just, more equal society.”

Here is one final toast to Congressman John Conyers, and a tremendous thank you to all who attended this special event.

See photos of John Conyers’ celebration on Page 4.

This Fall, we’ll be rolling out a legacy giving program. IPS staff are already making a commitment to leave IPS in their wills, name IPS as a beneficiary of their life insurance, and set up life-long income gifts such as charitable gift annuities. We want to offer this opportunity to all of you who want to leave a legacy and ensure the future of the progressive movement.

In the coming months, we’ll also be reaching out to you to ask about the ways in which you want to connect with IPS. We’re interested in hearing how you want to express your passions and your commitment to our community of progressive public scholars and the broader movement.

Questions about giving? You can reach Angelique at angelique@ips-dc.org

Page 4

HIGHLIGHTS: John Conyers CelebrationDear Friends,

IPS has been off to a great year. In the past few months, we’ve graced the pages of the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNBC, Upworthy, CBS News and others through three new studies that have offered new perspectives on inequality, racism, and corporate greed. Sarah Anderson’s “Off the Deep End: The Wall Street Bonus Pool and Low-Wage Workers” prompted the New York Times headline: “All You Need to Know About Income Inequality, in One Comparison.” Karen Dolan’s “The Poor Get Prison” chronicles the alarming spread of the criminalization of poverty and its disproportionate impact on communities of color. Sarah and Scott Klinger’s “Burning our Bridges” identifies the 26 U.S. corporations with the largest stockpiles of untaxed overseas profits and analyzes how much these firms could help meet U.S. infrastructure needs if they actually paid the taxes they owe.

On May 1, these were be joined by “And Still I Rise,” Marc Bayard’s new IPS study that profiles 27 remarkable African American women who have led the fight for rights and dignity among working people (More on this in the next edition).

I am also thrilled to announce the promotion of Tiffany Williams, the long-time director of IPS’ Break the Chain Campaign, to Associate Director. IPS’ leadership team has never been stronger.

Sincerely,John Cavanagh

DIRECTOR’S DESK

IPS long-time ally, Danny Glover

Marjan Shallal, Cong. John Conyers, IPS Board member Andy Shallal, and IPS Executive Director John Cavanagh

Cong. Jan Schakowsky