Center for American Opportunity & Excellence
American Opportunity & Excellence
The Center for American Opportunity & Excellence is the public policy, research, and leadership institute of the Black Conservative Federation. We develop bold ideas, cultivate principled leaders, and advance solutions that expand opportunity and strengthen America's future.
Our Mission
To advance policies, develop leaders, and produce research that expands opportunity, strengthens communities, and promotes excellence throughout America.
Our Vision
To become America's leading institution advancing opportunity, conservative policy solutions, and principled leadership within Black communities while helping shape a freer, stronger, and more prosperous nation.
Our Strategic Priorities
Research & Public Policy
- Original research and policy reports
- Legislative recommendations
- Data-driven solutions to America's most pressing challenges
Leadership Development
- Fellowships and internships
- Public service training
- Next-generation leadership pipeline
HBCU Task Force
- Strengthening academic excellence
- Workforce development
- Innovation and strategic partnerships
Safe Communities Initiative
- Crime reduction strategies
- Human trafficking prevention
- Community-based public safety solutions
Economic Opportunity
- Entrepreneurship
- Workforce development
- Financial literacy
- Homeownership and wealth creation
Signature Publications
The State of Black America Report
A data portrait of Black America, published every two years.
Policy Brief Series
Focused analysis and recommendations on single issues.
Legislative Scorecards
Tracking how legislation measures against opportunity and excellence.
Opportunity Index Research
Measuring where opportunity is expanding and where it is not.
Community Impact Reports
Results from Black Conservative Federation programs on the ground.
The State of Black America, 2026 Publication
The Center's first flagship report is a data portrait of Black America, built from federal and university sources and organized around the indicators that shape opportunity: income, wealth, housing, education, family, public safety, health, faith, civic life, and military service. It reports the hard numbers and the places where Black America is winning, and it closes each part with the solutions the Black Conservative Federation is working on.
Read the Report
The State of Black America
Executive Director
Walter Blanks Jr.
Walter Blanks Jr. leads the Center for American Opportunity & Excellence, directing its research agenda, policy work, and leadership programs. He brings a national profile in education policy and a personal story that anchors the Center's mission: as a student, a school choice scholarship changed the course of his life, and he has spent his career working to give other families the same opportunity.
Walter has advocated for educational freedom in state capitols and on national media, and has led programs that train the next generation of school choice advocates. He holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Media Production from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio.
Join Our Founding Circle
Join a community of leaders committed to expanding opportunity and building a stronger America.
Your partnership helps fund research, leadership development, public policy initiatives, national convenings, and community impact programs.
info@bcfaction.com