Who We Are
Black American Equity Insitute (BAEI) is a California-based social enterprise dedicated to advancing social and economic reparative justice for Black American Freedmen communities. We partner with residents, private companies, community organizations, and public institutions to design and implement policies that repair harm, expand opportunity, and build long-term power.
Rooted in more than seven years of on-the-ground engagement across the state, BAEI combines community organizing, policy advocacy, and equity-centered consulting. Our mission is to translate community vision into concrete systems change —shaping reparative policies, supporting implementation, and ensuring that Black communities are not only heard, but resourced and empowered to lead.
Mission Based Reinvestment
BAEI operates as a social enterprise, blending mission-driven advocacy with sustainable, values-aligned revenue streams. Our model allows us to remain accountable to Freedmen communities while partnering with public agencies, philanthropy, and institutions that are ready to invest in structural change.
Through fee-based consulting, equity trainings, and policy advisory services, we generate resources that are reinvested into community engagement, leadership development, and reparative policy campaigns. This approach ensures that the communities most impacted by inequity help shape the solutions—and that our work remains both financially sustainable and deeply rooted in justice.
Why We Exist
BAEI exists to confront the persistent racial and economic inequities that shape life outcomes for Black communities in California. Despite decades of advocacy, Black residents continue to face disproportionate barriers in housing, education, employment, health, and the justice system—barriers that are the result of policy choices, not individual failures.
We were created to help change those choices. BAEI works at the intersection of community voice and government power, ensuring that Black communities are centered in the design of reparative policies and investments. By pairing lived experience with policy expertise, we help cities, counties, and state agencies move beyond statements of support toward concrete actions that repair harm, redistribute resources, and build long-term Black prosperity.
Our Team
BAEI is led by a team with deep experience in community organizing, public policy, and organizational leadership. Our principals bring together lived experience, technical expertise, and a long-standing commitment to racial and economic justice in California, ensuring that every project is grounded in both community wisdom and strategic execution.
Lorri Jenkins is the President and Treasurer of BAEI, providing strategic vision, financial stewardship, and organizational leadership. With years of experience in community engagement and public-sector collaboration, Lorri guides BAEI’s partnerships with government agencies, philanthropy, and grassroots organizations. She oversees program strategy, fiscal management, and impact measurement, ensuring that BAEI’s resources are aligned with its mission to advance reparative policies and long-term equity for Black communities.
Tiffany Quarles serves as BAEI’s Corporate Secretary, overseeing governance, compliance, and organizational operations. She supports board relations, maintains key records and policies, and helps ensure that BAEI’s internal systems reflect its values of transparency, accountability, and community-centered leadership. Tiffany’s background in administration and equity-focused work strengthens BAEI’s capacity to manage complex initiatives while staying grounded in the needs and priorities of Black communities.