Inspired by César Chávez' commitment to social justice, the César E. Chávez Institute (CCI) is dedicated to studying and documenting the impact of social oppression on the health, education, and well being of disenfranchised communities in the US. 

Our studies include factors of resiliency and strength, as well as processes that empower communities in their struggles for equality and self-determination. 

We aim to bridge academic research and the practice of community empowerment through multiple approaches - including participatory action research - that make our studies and research findings accessible and useful to policy makers, service providers, educators, and community advocates. 

We support the teaching mission of the College of Ethnic Studies and San Francisco State University through research mentorship and training of faculty and students.