Nov 22, 2024 Story by: Editor
The Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion (HIPO) is a research collective that conducts nationwide surveys, emphasizing the opinions and experiences of Black communities. The initiative, which focuses on underrepresented voices in national polls, was originally founded by the late Dr. Gary L. Harris, a former associate provost and dean of the graduate school. Under his leadership, the program sought to address the lack of African American representation in public opinion studies. Today, Dr. Terri Adams leads the initiative.
“It’s not just collecting data for the sake of collecting data, but it’s collecting data to uplift the voices of people who are often overlooked or oversimplified in public discourse,” Adams explained regarding HIPO’s mission.
Following Vice President Kamala Harris’s nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate, HIPO conducted a poll to gauge the perspectives of Black Americans on her candidacy, along with a series of focus groups in swing states. These efforts provided valuable insights into election issues and voter attitudes.
