In 2025, The Washington State Legislature funded the Charles Mitchell and George Washington Bush Study on Reparative Action for Washington State’s Descendants of Victims of United States Chattel Slavery.
The study will examine the historical injustices of slavery in the U.S. and its enduring impact on direct descendants.
About the study
- Funding: In collaboration with the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs, the legislature allocated funding to contract with a qualified research firm or team during the 2026-2027 biennium. Commerce will seek contributions from philanthropy and other donors to complete the full study.
- Researcher team requirements: The research team must have expertise in topics including reparations, historical analysis, public policy and economic valuation. The team must include a Ph.D. level researcher and an experienced genealogist.
- Study focus: The study will examine the history and impact of slavery in the U.S., with a focus on the geography of the former Washington and Oregon territories. It will analyze how state laws and systems have affected descendants in economics, education and criminal justice.
- Framework and methodology: The study will use the Healthy People 2030 social determinants of health model to evaluate disparities and make policy recommendations.
- Study deliverables: The study must propose reparative measures such as cash payments, policy reforms, state-level investments and recommendations for reforming harmful laws. All recommendations will be supported by cost-benefit analyses.
- Study deadlines: The researcher must submit a preliminary report by June 2026 and an interim update by December 2026. A final report with recommendations will be due by June 2027.
Commerce will work in consultation with the Washington State Commission on African-American Affairs on the implementation of this study.
Email Michelle.Griffin@commerce.wa.gov if you would like to be notified when the RFP is released.
Upcoming meetings
The first Reparations Study Advisory Committee meeting was held on July 23, 2025, at 11 a.m. PT. The public was invited and encouraged to attend.
- Watch a recording of the July 23, 2025 Advisory Committee meeting (on Zoom)
- Passcode: u^Qs1GB6
- Agenda and meeting documents for the July 23, 2025 meeting (on Box)
Resources
If you want to get updates about this study, email Michelle.Griffin@commerce.wa.gov to be added to the contact list.