Campaign for Inclusion
Blue Star Families’ Campaign for Inclusion reflects values of welcome and belonging at the heart of our work. Using our theory of change (listen, share, partner, & act), we empower stakeholders to implement best practices that help all military families feel welcomed and included on their journey.
RESEARCH & ADVOCACY
Explore the results from our 2023 Campaign for Inclusion Research Series: Building Bridges to Belonging for Military Families of Color below.
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In Collaboration With
All Blue Star Families' programming is informed by our research. For this reason, research and advocacy is a key pillar of our Campaign for Inclusion. Blue Star Families' research continues to look at data through a racial equity and inclusion lens; Our second study: Building Bridges to Belonging for Military Families of Color provides additional insight into how military families experience military life.
The data from this report is drawn from Blue Star Families’ 2022 Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS) and captured experiences of over 4,100 active-duty family respondents and over 1,100 active-duty respondents of color.
listen and learn
Did you miss part of the 2023 Campaign for Inclusion results release event? Are you looking to catch up on the conversations? Press play on the videos below.
Main Event
Hear leaders discuss the most pressing issues military families of color are facing today along with community solutions during panel discussion format.
Data Deep Dive
Survey findings around the intersectionality between military families of color, sense of belonging, and recommending service.
Featured Videos
Campaign for Inclusion Introduction
Campaign for Inclusion Committee
DEPLOY Fellowship, Cohort 2
What does the data say?
Survey Findings Summary
- Experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination appear to impact military family well-being, civilian communities, and military recruitment and readiness.
- Understanding of the military lifestyle, friendship, and safety are key contributors for all families, but for military families of color, a community that embraces diversity is also important— more so than for their white peers.
- Building bridges to belonging requires collaboration “across the fence line” with local communities.
REPORTS
In May 2023, following the release of that second report in the series — Building Bridges to Belonging for Military Families of Color — Blue Star Families convened a closed-door session of key community, government, and military stakeholders to highlight existing best practices and identify creative solutions that would address challenges to building a diverse All-Volunteer Force and increase military-civilian community engagement and build belonging for military families. This convening, founded on two years of Blue Star Families’ Campaign for Inclusion research, ignited robust discussion across government, military, nonprofit, corporate, and philanthropic partners, turning the data into action. This report is a summary of the key takeaways from these sessions.
"We enjoyed our time living there because of both military and civilian friends. This was also a time when my husband’s job was very stressful and he worked long hours, but we had much to keep us busy and friends to be with who were supportive and inclusive."
-Hispanic/Latino/a/x Military Spouse
MEDIA & PARTNERSHIP INQUIRIES
If you are a member of the media or a nonprofit organization that supports military- and Veteran-connected communities and you are interested in partnering with Blue Star Families to promote this research, contact [email protected].
FUNDERS
Funding for the Campaign for Inclusion Research 2022: Building Bridges to Belonging for Military Families of Color Report is provided through the generosity of our sponsors JP Morgan Chase & Co., Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen, CSX, Major League Baseball, AARP and Leidos.
Data for this special report is drawn from the 2022 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, which was generously funded by our presenting sponsor The USAA Foundation, Inc. Supporting sponsors include JP Morgan Chase & Co., Lockheed Martin, CSX, AARP, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Macy’s Inc., BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, American Council of Life Insurers, and Pratt & Whitney.
Funding for this essential research is provided through the generosity of our sponsors. If you are interested in funding further research, use the button below.
Quick Links
Comprehensive Infographic (PDF)
Comprehensive Report (PDF)
Authors
From the Department of Applied Research at Blue Star Families in collaboration with the D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University (IVMF).
Blue Star Families
- Jessica D. Strong, Ph.D. Senior Director of Applied Research
- Brooke Blaalid, MSW Associate Director of Policy
- Roger Brooks, Ph.D. (ABD) Associate Director of Research
- Ashley B. Scott Policy and Innovation Coordinator
- Kimberly Gold Wells Fargo Housing Security DEPLOY Fellow
- Esmeralda Gloria Policy Fellow
- Carrie E. Carter, M.Ed Applied Research Analyst Generalist Consultant
- Cynthia C. Rivera, MSW Applied Research Analyst Consultant
- Kristen A. Higgason Applied Research Assistant Consultant
D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University
- Rosalinda Vasquez Maury, M.S. Director of Applied Research and Analytics
- Rachel K. Linsner, M.S. Research Associate
- Jeanette Yih Harvie, Ph.D. Research Associate