The next chapter of America’s story begins today.

We have seen an historic sea change in this nation–not only in the election of Barack Obama, but in the ascension of hundreds of progressive candidates to our State Houses and Congress. To make real this promise of change, however, we must ensure that our elected officials live up to the ideals that promote equity and opportunity.

In the coming months, the Obama Administration will begin its transition to power and the strengthened Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress will get to work. We ask that they keep these Four Principles for Equity in mind in every decision they make:

1. Sustain the deep levels of democratic participation and civic engagement shown during the 2008 presidential election campaign.
2. Build an economy that expands opportunity for struggling families and revitalizes distressed communities.
3. Make affordable housing available to all, recognizing its historic role as a gateway to opportunity and asset-building.
4. Invest in building strong, healthy communities across America.

All Americans–especially those in low-income communities and communities of color–deserve a chance to participate and prosper. We have a real opportunity today to make the change we seek–but we must all work and push and fight together to make it happen.

What principles do you think should guide the Obama Administration? Weigh in the comments!

You can read the full Achieving Equity and Inclusion in America: Policy Principles for the Obama Administration and New Congress document on the PolicyLink site.

The United States is moving inexorably toward a future of greater diversity.  Latest Census figures show that minorities make up 34 percent of the total U.S. population, numbering 102.5 million people.

Latinos especially gained ground in 2007 remaining the largest minority group at 45.5 million people. African Americans are close behind at 40.7 million.  Minority groups are pushing statewide demographic trends.  Four states and the District of Columbia have a larger share of minorities than non-minorities:  Hawaii (75 percent), District of Columbia (68 percent), New Mexico (58 percent), California (57 percent) and Texas (52 percent).  Close behind are Nevada, Maryland, and Georgia at 42 percent each.

Is America prepared to reap the benefits of diversity and embrace a bright future?

One issue that remains a stumbling block is the rate of incarceration for drug-related offenses.  A May 10 editorial in The New York Times highlights two new reports by The Sentencing Project and Human Rights Watch  which show “large disparities in the rate at which blacks and whites are arrested and imprisoned for drug offenses, despite roughly equal rates of illegal drug use.”

The editorial concludes that “all is not gloomy,” pointing to an emerging shift in policy toward drug treatment as an alternative to prison and to a change in federal sentencing guidelines.

Last month, there was also positive news with the signing of the Second Chance Act, a bipartisan solution that authorizes $165 million in spending per year to help released prisoners reintegrate into society.

At a time when one in nine black men aged 20 to 34 are serving time, along with 1 in 36 adult Hispanic men, we need to take stock of what can be done to tap the abilities and potential of all Americans. We’re starting to move in the right direction but it will take all of our efforts to ensure continued progress toward that bright future.