Research Library

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

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A Fresh Look at Black Family Structures in the United States

Black families with children have a wide range of family structures, caregiving relationships, and living arrangements across the United States. This Black Families Flourishing Fresh…

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Latest Research

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
BFF Research

A Fresh Look at Employment Among Teens and Young Adults in Black Family Households

As Black teens and young adults transition into adulthood, employment often becomes an important source of financial support for themselves and their families. This Fresh Look data…

As Black teens and young adults transition into adulthood, employment often becomes an important source of financial support for themselves and their families. This Fresh Look data…

Published: July 2026

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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

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Partner: 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

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Partner: 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

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Partner: 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

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Partner: 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

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Partner: Gallup Center on Black Voices, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Related Research

The State of Black Residents: The Relevance of Place to Racial Equity and Outcomes

These findings about Black family quality life and various community spaces is the work of The McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility.

These findings about Black family quality life and various community spaces is the work of The McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility.

Published: February 2024

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Partner: McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility
Related Research

Issues-based Series Focused on Black Families and Babies

This issues-based series is the result of a collaboration between the Equity Research Action Coalition at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and…

This issues-based series is the result of a collaboration between the Equity Research Action Coalition at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and…

Published: October 2021

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Partner: Child Trends, UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
Related Research

Equity Research Action Coalition Statewide Analysis Report

This study is the work of the Equity Research Action Coalition, in partnership with POINTS of ACCESS, LLC, and the National Black Child Development Institute.

This study is the work of the Equity Research Action Coalition, in partnership with POINTS of ACCESS, LLC, and the National Black Child Development Institute.

Published: August 2024

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Partner: Equity Research Action Coalition
Related Research

Black Family Thriving: A Pilot Study of Wealth Building among the Black Middle Class

This Urban Institute study explores the topic of wealth and wealth building among middle class Black families.

This Urban Institute study explores the topic of wealth and wealth building among middle class Black families.

Published: March 2024

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Partner: Urban Institute
Foundational Research

Family, Economic, and Geographic Characteristics of Black Families with Children

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

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

Published: March 2021

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Partner: Child Trends
Foundational Research

Reimagining Black Families’ Cultural Assets Can Inform Policies and Practices That Enhance Their Well-being

This brief is part of a larger effort by Child Trends researchers to expand knowledge about Black children and families. This effort will include continued…

This brief is part of a larger effort by Child Trends researchers to expand knowledge about Black children and families. This effort will include continued…

Published: February 2022

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Partner: Child Trends

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.

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BFF Research

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

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Related Research

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

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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.

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A Fresh Look at Black Family Structures in the United States

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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

Family, Economic, and Geographic Characteristics of Black Families with Children

Reimagining Black Families’ Cultural Assets Can Inform Policies and Practices That Enhance Their Well-being

Ethnicity and Immigration: Flourishing Friday Speaker Highlight

Black Parents and Parenting Choices: Flourishing Friday Speaker Highlight

Family Spotlight Connections Interview: Nayibe Capellan

Exploring Research and Policy to Support Black Families and Strengthen America’s Future

Foundational Research

BFF Research

Related Research