This amendment provides $192,793 from the general fund the first year to the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University to support the Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE) addressing issues of racism and racial equity in public policy. The L. Douglas Wilder School is a recognized national leader in advancing racial justice through multidisciplinary scholarship, research, training, and engagement. The creation of the Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE) within the Wilder School will serve as a vehicle to advance racial equity and social justice through multidisciplinary scholarship, research, training, and engagement. The goal of RISE is to be the national leader in advancing social justice to inform public policy, governance and practice to improve conditions for marginalized voices within our society, including communities of color, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, incarcerated populations, survivors of domestic violence, and women.