10 ACTION TYPES - 18 INSTITUTION TYPES - 10 LISTS

Data for Social Change Codebook.

The structure of the database was shaped by four key sectors we wanted to target: public, private, academic, and civil society. From there, we further broke down the sectors into sub-sectors, or types of institutions. We also found patterns in institutional responses and categorized them by action, along with curating specific lists of interest.

Action Type Definition Examples
Actions of Accountability
Actions that execute addresses or offers reparations for acts of racism and racial injustice
Charlotte’s mayor apologizes for the city’s role in systemic racism; Breonna Taylor’s murderers being arrested
Associated Movements
Any social change movement or awareness campaign that was created, revamped, or directly influenced by the racial activism after the murder of George Floyd on May 25th, 2020
Black Trans Lives Matter, Black Birders Week, #HireBlack, #ShutDownSTEM #SupportBlackOwnedBusinesses; Washington Redskins removing the Native American image as their mascot; Indigenous Lives Matter movement in Brazil
Expression of Solidarity
Written/verbal statements or artistic displays that explicitly stand with the Black Lives Matter movement or in solidarity with creating an antiracist culture and society
Morgan Stanley releases a statement standing with Black Lives Matter and protesters; Washington, D.C paints Black Lives Matter on the avenue in front of the White House
Honoring Black History and Culture
Actions that highlight businesses, individuals, organizations, or events that honor Black history and culture
Virginia recognizes Juneteenth as a statewide holiday; University of Texas renames building after civil rights leader; Netflix releases special collection of movies/shows that highlight the black experience
Organizational Change
Actions within an institution that produce fundamental changes to how an organization is structured, operates, and/or conducts business with the intent to directly benefit Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC)
Feeding America reevaluates their core mission and commits to a stronger focus on communities of color; The Spokane City Council hired its first-ever equity manager; AirBnB introduces Project Lighthouse to uncover, measure, and overcome discrimination within the company
Police Reform
An organizational change or action within a police department that creates fundamental, systematic change that affects more than one officer
New Jersey introduces bill that establishes the crime of strangulation chokeholds; Connecticut limits police use of force and enforces accountability
Policy Advocacy
Statements or actions that explicitly recommend policies for governance to directly benefit Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC)
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus releases their priorities for the 2020 special session; American Academy of Ophthalmology calls on police departments to end the use of rubber bullets and similar projectiles against protestors
Public Policy Action
Any proposed or passed regulation or law that addresses an anti-racist culture or promotes racial justice
City of Missoula to invest $100K to develop pro equity policy agenda; Iowa City Council prepares to form commission to take on racism in Iowa City
Removal of Racist Symbols
Statements or actions associated with removing racists symbols, such as building names, statues, team names, or brand names
Lady Antebellum changes name to Lady A; Confederate statues removed in Richmond, Virginia; NASCAR bans confederate flags at races
Resource Contribution
Statements or actions that provide resources that benefit Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), such as monetary donations, in-kind donations, scholarship funds, sponsorships, mentorship programs, leadership programs, etc.
Verizon commits $10 million to aid organizations dedicated to equality and social justice; George Soros' Open Society Foundation invests $220 million into different organizations committed to improving Black communities; SMU Cox establishes new scholarship to aid diversity outreach + recruitment
Institution Type Definition Examples
Charitable Organizations
An organization with a philanthropic mission
The Salvation Army, Open Society Foundations, The Nature Conservancy, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Fashion and Beauty Industry
A retail or e-commerce company that provides products and services in the fashionand beauty industry
Sephora, Ulta, LuluLemon, Burberry
Federal Government
Any office within the federal branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial) and its associated departments
Department of Labor, Peace Corps, U.S. Postal Service, Office of the President
Financial Institutions
Corporations that provide financial services and operate within financial markets
Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Chase, Wells Fargo, VISA
Food and Beverage Industry
A company that processes, packs, distributes, or serves food and beverage materials
Pepsi, McDonalds, a restaurant chain, Tyson, AB-ImBev
Healthcare Industry
An institution that provides medical services or a company that creates, distributes, or sells medical/pharmaceutical products
Pfizer, Mount Sinai Hospital, Merck, CVS Pharmacy
Higher Education
An institution or department within an institution past the high school level that grants academic degrees or certifications and conducts research
United States Military Academy, School of Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California Santa Barbara, Harvard
Local Government
Any office or individual acting in their official capacity within the local (county/city/metroplex) branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial) and its associated departments
New York City Council, Louisville Metro Council, the Mayor of Chicago
Media and Entertainment Industry
An institution that produces or engages in film, print, radio, and television such as movies, TV shows, radio shows, news, music, artists, newspapers, magazines, and books
Netflix, NBC, Universal Studios, Sony, Time, New York Times, casinos
Non-Governmental Organizations/Non-Profits
An organization that operates independently of any government body, typically one whose purpose is to address a social or political issue
American Red Cross, Feeding America, YMCA, Goodwill, the Nature Conservancy
Private Miscellaneous
Any private firm that does not fit in any of the other listed categories.
Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Target, Aflac
Pre K-12 Education
An institution or entity that educates students in early childhood education up to the 12th grade such as school districts, national daycare centers, and public, charter, and private schools
Primrose Academy, Dallas Independent School District, Richmond Public Schools
Professional/Academic Networks
A group of professionals or individuals connected within a specific discipline related to research, professions, or hobbies
Scrabble Association, Association of Medical Colleges, Association of Black Psychologists, National Basketball Players Association
Religious Institutions
An organization that teaches religious principles or an institution designated as a place of worship or gathering place for religious groups
Catholic Church, Islamic Center of Washington, Union Theological Seminary
Research Institutions
An institution that is solely dedicated to conducting research and other think-tanks institutions
UT Southwestern Medical Center, Brookings Institute, Aspen Institute, Heritage Foundation
Sports Organizations
An organization that facilitates professional or recreational sporting events
National Football League, National Basketball Association, The Wizards, The Capital, STAPLES Center, NASCAR
State Government
Any office or individual acting in their official capacity within the state branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial) and its associated departments
Iowa Legislature, New York State Assembly, The Office of the Governor
Tech Firms
A company that develops and manufactures technology products or provides technological services * This includes social media tech firms.
Apple, IBM, Microsoft, Instagram
List Name Description List Tag List Inclusion Criteria
International
List of actions taken by governments or institutions based internationally
international
all data points that have a location outside of the United States
Dow Jones Companies
List of actions taken by the top 30 publicly-owned companies in the United States
dowjones
https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/components/dow_jones
Largest 50 Cities
List of actions taken by public institutions in the largest 50 cities in the United States
top50cit
https://www.politifact.com/largestcities/
Democrat-Led Governments
List of actions taken by public institutions led by Democrats (local, state, national)
demled
this will require extra research to determine if local/state gov is rep/dem led
Republican-Led Governments
List of actions taken by public institutions led by Republicans (local, state, national)
repled
this will require extra research to determine if local/state gov is rep/dem led
Top 50 Retail Stores
List of actions taken by Top 50 U.S. Retailers
top50ret
Top 50 Charities
List of actions taken by Top 50 U.S. Charities
top50char
https://www.forbes.com/lists/top-charities/#537bd92c5f50
Top Universities
List of actions taken by Top 50 U.S Universities
top50uni
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities
Defund the Police
List of actions taken that reduce or reallocate police budgets
defund
this tag is specific to police reform data points that explicity answer call to "defund the police"