Drum Major Institute
for Public Policy



“I have gotten more from the DMI Scholars program than I can name. The skills set ranged from critical readings of the newspaper to practical training in policy analysis, and the exposure to the progressive movement ranged from peers on other college campuses to high-ranked leaders in the field of national and international policy. Perhaps more importantly, my time with DMI Scholars has better informed and complicated the ways in which I can and will contribute to the progressive movement for social and economic justice.”

—Xinghua Wu , DMI Scholar


Our Mission
The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy (DMI) is a nonprofit, non- partisan think tank generating ideas that fuel the progressive movement.


What does a think tank do?
We provide research, models and policies to those on the frontlines advocating for an agenda of social and economic justice.

But DMI is a different kind of think tank from those that just operate in the Ivory Tower. We view ourselves as a part of the progressive movement. We don’t issue reports to see our name in print or hold forums for the sake of mere talk. We seek to change policy by conducting research into overlooked, but important issues and by engaging policymakers and opinion leaders in our work. We are shaping the ongoing discourse about the issues that impact us.


For example, for four years we have released a Congressional scorecard to hold politicians accountable for their voting records. DMI also runs a Fellows program that provides support to grassroots organizers so they can leverage their work into the public dialogue about public policy. We organize events like our Marketplace of Ideas series that highlights policymakers who successfully put progressive values into practice.


Founded as the Drum Major Foundation by associates of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we have a rich legacy in the civil rights movement. Our name comes from Dr. King’s last sermon at Ebenezer Baptist church when he declared he wanted to be remembered as a “drum major for justice, as a drum major for peace, as a drum major for righteousness.” We were revamped as the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy in 2002, realizing that progressives in the trenches needed an institution that could match a civil rights consciousness with a present-day approach to shifting the debate.


Why is a think tank creating a program for college students?
Good question. DMI is led by young people who believe that young progressives need access to the individuals and organizations making the policies that govern our lives; and that public policy needs dynamic young progressives from diverse communities to really create change.

So join us.
Apply to become a DMI Scholar today.


Check out DMI’s Work on Issues You Care About!

• Our report on NYC Impact Schools

• Our Fact Sheet on What's at Stake for Young People in the Social Security Debate


• Our case for Progressive
Immigration Policy


• Take part in live discussions on the DMI Blog about issues like Its College not Chanel: colleges are raising tuition to look hotter.


Meet a few
of the people
at DMI and
find out what
we do…



Tsedey became a youth organizer after college, working with high school students in Oakland, CA. Through an internship with a research and advocacy organization, she realized that the issues she was working on in the community stemmed from ineffective policies.  These combined experiences led her to study urban policy.





Andrea started her activism early as a student member of the New York City Board of Education.  Her experience fighting for students' interests in a position of influence is what led her to study public policy.



Cyrus Cyrus Dugger was DMI’s Civil Justice Fellow, but he came to DMI from working in community development in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Honduras . Shortly after college, Cyrus also worked as a researcher for Massachusetts Voters for Fair Elections.  



Amy is our Associate Director of Research.  Before that, Amy headed the research department of a major New York City labor union, where she contributed to successful organizing campaigns by hundreds of working
New Yorkers. She has also conducted research in Mexico City on the development of
the Mexican
student movement.