About Us

Mission Statement

The Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs is dedicated to the quest for social justice and equality of opportunity, enlightened civic engagement, and enhancing the quality of life for all Californians.

The Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs is a non-partisan public policy center dedicated to sustaining the vision and legacy of former California Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown through convening public policy forums, engaging multi sector stakeholders and diverse communities, and conducting timely policy research and community-driven initiatives.

A Brief History of the
Pat Brown Institute

The Pat Brown Institute began as a free-standing organization dedicated to California government affairs in 1979. When it arrived at California State University, Los Angeles in 1987, it became a public policy institute focused on State and community “public” affairs.

2008 will be the 17th anniversary of the current administration of the Institute, beginning with the appointment of the current executive director in 1991 from the University's political science department.

The period from 1991 through 1993 was primarily devoted to strategically planning for and originating a series of core urban programs focused primarily on the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Chronologically, the Community-University Forum & Seminar Series (1991), Public Policy Internship & Fellowship Program (1991), PBI Publications Program (1991), Gang Violence Bridging Project (1993), and California Policy Issues Conference (1993) were created in this period.

From 1994 through 1997, while originating several other programs, our efforts focused on improving and institutionalizing these initial programs, through the generous support of PBI benefactors. On both counts, we were successful. The launching of California Politics & Policy, our annual policy journal (1996), creation of the Applied Policy Research Program (1997) and the Community Policing Training Program (1997) took place in this phase.

From 1998 to 2003, the Institute's primary focus centered on additional development of an already distinguished Board of Advisors, significantly expanding the Annual Awards Dinner, expanding the Applied Policy Research Program, reorganizing the PBI Publications Program, and creating two new publications-- the annual State of Immigration report and the California Policy Issues Annual. In this period, California Politics & Policy became a multidisciplinary refereed journal open to scholars and practitioners across the nation who focus their applied research on the "Golden State."

The current period, beginning in late 2004, gave rise to significant growth of the PBI, measured in terms of new grant funding, expanded programs, the creation of new programs and staff, and an increasing profile of the PBI at State and community levels.

We look forward to expanding our services to California's diverse communities and to progressive public policies for the “Golden State.”