EdTrust-West Black Minds Matter
Overview:
We're excited to share our latest team-up with our friends at The Education Trust-West: the new "Black Minds Matter" report.
This update comes 10 years after EdTrust-West's eye-opening 2015 report that looked at how nearly a million Black youth across California were doing from preschool all the way through college.
The 2025 edition checks in on progress and lights a fire for more action, using fresh data to see where Black students in California stand today. The report digs into opportunity gaps, looks at what's changed over the last decade, and shows what the future could look like if we don't commit to envisioning a brighter future for Black students in California at both the local and state levels.
What we love most about this report is that it's not just pointing out problems. The report shines a bright light on the amazing change-makers that are already creating better pathways for Black students across the state of California, and it also offers real, practical recommendations for rebuilding education systems that truly work.
We could talk forever about the design elements of this piece—the clean, modern look of the black and teal, the equally crisp font treatment, or how we love how effortlessly we were able to blend ETW's data with big and beautiful photographs. What means more to us, though, is that this report will kick-start important conversations about educational equity in California. The visuals make complex data easier while respecting the seriousness of what's at stake. This is the balance—and the beauty—of social impact design.
As our partners at EdTrust-West put it, "Black Minds Matter is not just a phrase—it's a rallying cry and a powerful statement that Black minds do indeed matter." We're honored to be part of work that will spark learning, conversation, and real action toward educational justice.