Commerce has contracted with Truclusion as a result of an RFP process in consultation with the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs. The Reparations Study attracted proposals from scholars around the county.
While Truclusion is based in Washington, their Reparations Study team will include local and nationally recognized scholars, policy experts and community engagement practitioners. The team is experienced in reparations research, racial equity, genealogy, valuation policy and community-centered methodologies.
Truclusion’s project team includes:
- Dr. Ashly Gardner (Project Lead) – Dr. Ashly Gardner is an internationally recognized scholar specializing in discrimination research, with a focus on the psychological, sociological and spiritual dimensions of discriminatory systems and practices.
- Marvin Slaughter, MPP (Valuation Policy Team) – Marvin Slaughter, MPP (valuation policy team) is a published researcher on the topic of reparations. He served as the Chairman of the Illinois African Descent Citizens Reparations Commission and participated in the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent.
- Dr. Thomas Craemer (Principal Investigator) – Dr. Craemer specializes in racial disparities and reparations related to slavery. He served as an advisor on the California Reparations Report. Dr. Craemer was the chair of the History of New York Reparations Subcommittee.
- Dr. Tara Kelly (Research Team Lead) – Dr. Kelly serves as Project Director for the Eastern Washington University Racial Covenants Project. Her work bridges historical research, public education and applied policy outcomes.
- Mica Anders (Genealogy Team Lead) – Mica Anders specializes in African American genealogy and anti-racist genealogical practices nationwide. They are recognized for research on early African American communities in the Midwest. Mica brings the expertise in lineage research required for reparations eligibility analysis.
- Dane Wolfrom (Project Manager) – Dane Wolfrom brings over 30 years of professional experience, including a decade as a diversity, equity and inclusion practitioner. As Project Manager, he will oversee all four elements of this study, ensuring coordinated, equitable, and timely execution.
- Roderick E. Thompson, Esq. (Community Relations Lead) – Roderick Thompson was born and raised in the South End of Seattle. He has family roots in the Central District. His work is informed by his professional career and his lifelong ties to the communities most affected by institutional racism.
- Marv Jones, MPA/MPH (Project Coordinator) is a military veteran. He was Base Commander of the military installation that houses the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the White House Medical Unit. There, he led installation support services for over 17,000 employees, patients, patrons and daily visitors while supporting 43 tenant organizations on the base.
- Yien Wang Folino (Community Engagement Co-Lead) – Yien Wang Folino brings over 13 years of community outreach and engagement experience. Her work aims to ensure inclusive, culturally responsive and geographically representative participation from historically marginalized populations across Washington.
To learn more about the study, you can email Truclusion at info@truclusion.com.