Funding Reparative Justice Through Private Capital

The Reparations Finance Lab (RFL) is a financial services nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing private capital for reparative justice.

Our mission is to close the racial wealth gap and address the intergenerational harms of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade through innovative, data-driven financial solutions.

WHY NOW

Across the globe, momentum for reparations is accelerating. Governments, institutions, and communities are recognizing the urgent need to repair historical injustices that continue to shape economic and social inequities.

RFL reframes reparations as an opportunity — moving beyond zero-sum debates toward “win-win” solutions that foster inclusive growth, social equity, and shared prosperity.

WHAT WE DO

    • Collect comprehensive data to establish an evidentiary foundation for reparations.

    • Apply cutting-edge harm measurement to calculate multidimensional impacts of slavery and systemic racism.

    • Develop frameworks and incentives to maximize the reparative impact of interventions.

    • Support program innovation that bridges private capital with community needs.

    • Design financial instruments and vehicles that minimize transaction costs while maximizing transparency.

    • Engage institutional and private investors in scalable reparative finance models.

    • Track progress using a nationwide index of social, civic, and economic indicators.

    • Provide open-source benchmarks and best practices for stakeholders to reference.

OUR SERVICES

RFL partners with governments, financial institutions, and community organizations to advance reparative action.

  • Multidisciplinary strategies informed by capital markets and data-driven research.

  • Custom visualizations and repair-centered dialogue platforms.

  • Advanced methods for harm analysis and policy impact forecasting.

  • Programs that build expertise in reparations finance for emerging leaders.

LEADERSHIP

Enith Williams

Founder and Executive Director

Founded in 2021 under the leadership of Managing Director Enith Williams, the Reparations Lab grew out of 17 Asset Management’s commitment to advancing racial and economic justice.

The Lab works in partnership with organizations such as Scatterday Associates and operates with fiscal sponsorship from Humanitarian Social Innovations (HSI).

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Reparative justice requires bold innovation and broad collaboration. At RFL, we invite partners across sectors to co-create financial solutions that repair the past and build a more equitable future.

Explore RFL
Explore 17III Fellowship