Research Hub

A growing collection of research and resources from BFF and our partners, dedicated to strengthening knowledge and action that helps Black families flourish.

Explore By Research Category

Foundational Research

BFF Research

Related Research

Featured Research

Empowering a Thriving Black Middle Class

For this policy explainer and video, the Urban Institute spoke with experts about how to accurately conceptualize the Black middle class and with middle-class Black…

Read The Full Report

Research Highlights

Related Research

Seen, Heard, Held: Listening to Black Mothers Through Art & Community

This community zine for the Black infant—developed by the National Black Child Development Institute’s (NBCDI) Black Infant & Maternal Health Task Force.

This community zine for the Black infant—developed by the National Black Child Development Institute’s (NBCDI) Black Infant & Maternal Health Task Force.

Published: February 2026
BFF Research

Data & Insights Hub

The Data & Insights Hub can help community members, researchers, and policymakers better understand the population of Black families with children in the United States.

The Data & Insights Hub can help community members, researchers, and policymakers better understand the population of Black families with children in the United States.

Published: February 2026

Explore All Research

Related Research

Seen, Heard, Held: Listening to Black Mothers Through Art & Community

This community zine for the Black infant—developed by the National Black Child Development Institute’s (NBCDI) Black Infant & Maternal Health Task Force.

This community zine for the Black infant—developed by the National Black Child Development Institute’s (NBCDI) Black Infant & Maternal Health Task Force.

Published: February 2026

|

Partners: National Black Child Development Institute
BFF Research

Data & Insights Hub

The Data & Insights Hub can help community members, researchers, and policymakers better understand the population of Black families with children in the United States.

The Data & Insights Hub can help community members, researchers, and policymakers better understand the population of Black families with children in the United States.

Published: February 2026

|

Partners: Child Trends
BFF Research

An Approach to Conceptualizing and Defining Black Family Flourishing to Inform Research, Policy, and Practice

This white paper explores how we conceptualize flourishing within Black family life and offers an emerging definition of “Black family flourishing” for the BFF project.

This white paper explores how we conceptualize flourishing within Black family life and offers an emerging definition of “Black family flourishing” for the BFF project.

Published: February 2026

|

Partners: Child Trends
Foundational Research

Applying Indicators and Theory to the Delivery of Early Care and Education Supports for Black Families with Infants and Toddlers

This issue series focuses on Black families, infants, and toddlers, and is funded by the Pritzker Children’s Initiative as a collaborative effort between the Equity…

This issue series focuses on Black families, infants, and toddlers, and is funded by the Pritzker Children’s Initiative as a collaborative effort between the Equity…

Published: October 2021

|

Partners: UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
Foundational Research

Anti-racist policymaking to protect, promote, and preserve Black families and babies

This issue series focuses on Black families, infants and toddlers and is funded by the Pritzker Children’s Initiative as a collaborative effort between the Equity…

This issue series focuses on Black families, infants and toddlers and is funded by the Pritzker Children’s Initiative as a collaborative effort between the Equity…

Published: October 2021

|

Partners: UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
Foundational Research

Newark’s South Ward Can Help Us Understand Health Care Access and Needs for Black Families with Children

This brief highlights the current health care needs, access to health care, and health care experiences of Black families with children living in the South…

This brief highlights the current health care needs, access to health care, and health care experiences of Black families with children living in the South…

Published: December 2022

|

Partners: Child Trends
Foundational Research

Using Strengths-Based Research and Data in Child Welfare Assessment to Address the Overrepresentation of Black Families in U.S. Child Welfare Programs

The child welfare system, like other government institutions in the United States (U.S.), has a history of incorporating policies and practices that devalue and damage…

The child welfare system, like other government institutions in the United States (U.S.), has a history of incorporating policies and practices that devalue and damage…

Published: September 2024

|
Foundational Research

Racism and Discrimination Contribute to Housing Instability for Black Families During the Pandemic

This brief is the third in a series examining timely topics that are relevant to Black families and children in the United States. It uses…

This brief is the third in a series examining timely topics that are relevant to Black families and children in the United States. It uses…

Published: March 2021

|

Partners: Child Trends
Foundational Research

A 100-Year Review of Research on Black Families

This 100-year review of studies on Black families informs an ongoing research agenda at Child Trends focused on Black children and families. In addition to…

This 100-year review of studies on Black families informs an ongoing research agenda at Child Trends focused on Black children and families. In addition to…

Published: February 2024

|

Partners: Child Trends
Foundational Research

Federal Policies Can Address the Impact of Structural Racism on Black Families’ Access to Early Care and Education

This brief is the second in a series examining timely topics that are relevant to Black families and children in the United States. It sheds light on…

This brief is the second in a series examining timely topics that are relevant to Black families and children in the United States. It sheds light on…

Published: March 2021

|

Partners: Child Trends
Related Research

Empowering a Thriving Black Middle Class

For this policy explainer and video, the Urban Institute spoke with experts about how to accurately conceptualize the Black middle class and with middle-class Black…

For this policy explainer and video, the Urban Institute spoke with experts about how to accurately conceptualize the Black middle class and with middle-class Black…

Published: March 2025

|

Partners: Urban Institute
Related Research

Togetherness: Shared Activities Within Black Families

This study was conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Gallup Center on Black Voices.

This study was conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Gallup Center on Black Voices.

Published: December 2024

|

Partners: Gallup Center on Black Voices, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Research Categories

Foundational Research

The guiding principles, approach, and goals for the Black Families Flourishing project stem from prior research conducted by Dr. Chrishana M. Lloyd and her Child Trends colleagues. These resources identified gaps in current knowledge and highlighted areas where more research could help improve systems, policies, and practices that support the well-being and flourishing of Black families with children.

Explore content archive

BFF Research

A collection of research from Black Families Flourishing (BFF) team members.

Explore content archive

Related Research

Research from our community partners and core advisory group members that illustrates the flourishing of Black families.

Explore content archive

Connect

A 100-Year Review of
Research on Black Families

This Child Trends study of a century of Black families—spanning from 1920-2019—unfolds in two volumes. Throughout, Child Trends situate its review of past research in that era’s social, political, and economic context in service of gleaning lessons for the future.

Download the Report

Research Hub

Research Highlights

Explore All Research

Filter

Data & Insights Hub

An Approach to Conceptualizing and Defining Black Family Flourishing to Inform Research, Policy, and Practice

Applying Indicators and Theory to the Delivery of Early Care and Education Supports for Black Families with Infants and Toddlers

Anti-racist policymaking to protect, promote, and preserve Black families and babies

Newark’s South Ward Can Help Us Understand Health Care Access and Needs for Black Families with Children

Using Strengths-Based Research and Data in Child Welfare Assessment to Address the Overrepresentation of Black Families in U.S. Child Welfare Programs

Racism and Discrimination Contribute to Housing Instability for Black Families During the Pandemic

A 100-Year Review of Research on Black Families

Federal Policies Can Address the Impact of Structural Racism on Black Families’ Access to Early Care and Education

Spotlight Connections Interview – Lawrence Watkins

Spotlight Connections Interview – Graciella “Chella” Drew

Insights from the 2025 ICMA National Economic Mobility and Opportunity Conference

Watch the Recording—Black Families Flourishing: What Gets Measured Matters

Foundational Research

BFF Research

Related Research

A 100-Year Review of
Research on Black Families

Research Hub

Research Highlights

Explore All Research

Filter

Foundational Research

BFF Research

Related Research

A 100-Year Review ofResearch on Black Families

A 100-Year Review of
Research on Black Families