About Us

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Narratives are the stories that inform who we are, what we believe, and what we can be as a society and a nation.

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The Opportunity Agenda works with a community of advocates, creatives, and communicators to change conversations on social issues and drive public support for more just and equitable policies in a truly diverse and inclusive democracy. Leveraging our 20-year social justice legacy, we provide the tools and training needed to deploy the most impactful communication strategies. 

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Challenging and replacing dominant narratives is a powerful strategy for securing meaningful change. TOA works to overcome those narratives that exclude and divide us, and to advance those that bring us together.

However, systemic oppression threatens our core values and promote narratives that harm and undermine our democratic institutions. Far too many people and communities are vilified and denied access to the opportunities our society claims exist for all.

TOA engages in collaborations to build the field of values-based social justice communications. We provide expertise, knowledge, resources, and collaborative spaces for strategists, communicators, creators, and allies throughout the social justice sector to create and propagate narratives that support equity, justice, opportunity, inclusion, and belonging.

Work with a wide range of social justice leaders, influencers, artists, and innovators to develop effective research- and experience-based cultural and communications strategies.

Support front-line advocates with messaging and narrative development, cultural strategy creation, and tools.

Create signature spaces to incubate new and emerging ideas, and train leaders at all levels toward our vision for success.

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Values provide the foundation for all our narrative and messaging development recommendations. They must guide the ways in which we work together internally, as well as the ways in which we work with partners, the ways we communicate, create our research and materials, and make our recommendations. We strive to create a safe and diverse community that embraces multiple expressions of identity, experience, and views and are committed to the ongoing work of antiracism.

Opportunity

Everyone should have access to what it takes to reach their full potential, not only to provide for themselves and their families, but to thrive.

Voice

A healthy society depends on the ability of all to participate, and for all to be heard and have ownership in the public square.

Community

We are stronger when we nurture connection with one another and the environment. Further, we are committed to incorporating an antiracist lens into our day-to-day practices.

Equity

All people are created with equal rights, inherent dignity, and the potential for creativity and growth. Dedication to equity is essential for working toward a more just and anti-racist society.

Safety

Everyone has the right to live safely in their community, their workplace, and their homes. We strive to foster an environment in which people are treated the way they wish to be.

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The staff of The Opportunity Agenda is a diverse group of professionals committed to overcoming systemic oppression and creating a community – and a nation – of justice, opportunity, and belonging. Together, they bring lived experience, along with skill and expertise in communications, research, policy, organizing, as well as development and operations.

Get to know our staff

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The Opportunity Agenda’s Board of Directors represents a diverse spectrum of identities, professions, experience, and knowledge. All are deeply committed to The Opportunity Agenda’s mission, approach, and values, and provide perspective and leadership focused on impact.

Get to know our board

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Discussion Guide

INTRODUCTION Welcoming a baby into the world should be a time of joy...

Talking About Birthing Justice

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Research Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In The Opportunity Agenda’s Power of POP research series, we explore...

Power of Pop: What TV Gets Wrong About Getting By

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Discussion Guide

Art & Discussion Guide We believe that ending poverty is within our reach,...

We Can Thrive Together: Visioning Economic Justice for All

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Research Report

INTRODUCTION Both research and our lived experience consistently show that the language we...

Shifting the Narrative

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Messaging Memo

Tips for Advocates Seeking Guidance on How to Add to the Conversation From...

Talking About Justice and Equity Through Sports

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Research Report

The Opportunity Agenda’s Creative Change Innovation Fellowship was an invitation-only pilot program intended to support a cohort of leading-edge...

Introducing New Cultural Strategy Tools from Our Creative Change Fellows

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Messaging Memo

This memo is intended to help journalists and media organizations produce fuller and...

When They See Us: Improving the Media’s Coverage of Black Men and Boys

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Messaging Memo

Improving Media Coverage of Black Men and Boys This memo provides tips and...

When They See Us: Thirty Years Since the Central Park Five Case

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Messaging Memo

10 Tips to Spark Change Our research report, Power of Pop: The Case...

Working with Cultural Influencers

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Research Report

Executive Summary In recent years, the power of popular entertainment to inspire large...

The Case of the Cultural Influencers: Colin Kaepernick, Jimmy Kimmel, and #MeToo

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Messaging Memo

We need a new story about the U.S. economy; a story that recognizes...

Art that Tells a New Story About Economic Opportunity

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Fact Sheet

Immigrant Representation on Television

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Media Analysis

Introduction In the weeks following the 2016 presidential election, and the almost immediate...

Power of Pop: Media Analysis of Immigrant Representation in Popular TV Shows

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Research Report

Introduction This social science review centers on the topic of how communications in...

Media Representations and Impact on the Lives of Black Men and Boys: A Social Science Literature Review

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Research Summary

Media Depictions and Media Consumption Acknowledgments This research was authored by Topos Partnership...

Opportunity for Black Men and Boys: Public Opinion

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The Opportunity Agenda’s leadership brings deep roots in the social justice world as well as expertise on the communications techniques and cultural strategies necessary to create change. They use this experience and knowledge to create a nimbler, more effective social justice movement that can move hearts, minds, and policy on the most pressing issues and weaken harmful narratives with values-based messaging.

Our Staff Our Fellows

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The Opportunity Agenda is a community dedicated to building narrative and cultural power to move our nation toward a vision of justice, equity, and opportunity for all. We build the public imagination and cultural will to challenge white supremacy and its pervasive impact, work in community to overcome opposition narratives that exclude and divide us, and advance narratives that support opportunity for all.

If you share our vision and passion for this work, we hope you will join our diverse and growing team.

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Annual Reports

IRS Form 990s

Audited Financial Statements

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