Transforming Experience Into Systems Change For Young Men of Color
The Sims-Fayola Policy & Advocacy Institute (SFPIA) is the strategic engine of Vision 2030, advancing equity for boys and young men of color through bold policy advocacy, systems change, and collective impact across Colorado.
About the Institute
Building Equity That Lasts
The Sims-Fayola Policy & Advocacy Institute turns lived experience into bold, community-rooted systems change. By reshaping public policy, institutional practices, and collective mindsets, SFPIA ensures that equity is not situational; it’s systemic.
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Our work spans education, workforce, justice, and mental health, where boys and young men of color face persistent inequities. Through policy research, advocacy, and grassroots voice, we are driving a future where opportunity is shared and inclusive excellence is the norm.
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Our Core Focus Areas
Policy Advocacy
We translate field insights into actionable recommendations that shape legislation and public discourse.
Systems Change
We align institutions to remove barriers and innovate for equity at scale.
Collective Impact
We convene partners across sectors to build coordinated ecosystems of support.
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Key Initiatives
My Brother's Keeper Denver
Community-led systems change through the MBK Local Action Plan, reducing opportunity gaps and aligning cross-sector partners.
Male Educators of Color Fellowship
A statewide fellowship recruiting, developing, and retaining male educators of color as classroom leaders and policy influencers.
Policy Council
A community-rooted body of youth, fellows, parents, and systems leaders guiding SFPIA’s policy agenda and public narrative.
Our Theory of Change
We believe that direct experience drives policy influence.
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If we:
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Use direct programming as proof points,
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Elevate youth, families, and educators through a Policy Council,
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Partner with legislators and systems leaders for targeted reforms, and
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Produce research and advocacy campaigns rooted in lived experience…
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Then we will:
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Advance systemic reforms across education, justice, and health,
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Elevate the voices of young men of color, and
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Build a policy ecosystem grounded in community aspirations.
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Impact & Evidence
We don’t just advocate, we measure. Partnering with Brigham & Associates, we ground our work in data, real-time learning, and rigorous evaluation. This ensures our policy recommendations are credible, evidence-informed, and accountable to community realities.
Highlights:
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100+ stakeholders engaged through MBK Action Tables.
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Fellows co-authoring statewide policy briefs on educator diversity.
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Ongoing evaluation that builds field-level credibility and trust.
Get Involved
Change only happens together. Whether you’re a policymaker, educator, community leader, or advocate, you have a role to play.
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Join the Policy Council (FY26 recruitment)
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Partner with us on systems-change initiatives
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Support our work with a donation
News & Events
Stay connected with the latest from SFPIA:
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MBK Denver Summit (October 2025)
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Legislative Roundtable (Winter 2026)
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Policy Brief Releases (Quarterly)