Center for Equal Opportunity
From SourceWatch
The Center for Equal Opportunity (CEO) is a small conservative think tank vigorously opposed to affirmative action and bilingual education. CEO favors immigration but is concerned with illegal immigration and poor assimilation policies.
Founded by commentator and former Reagan Administration Civil Rights Director Linda Chavez in 1995, the Center's small staff of five employees includes two of Chavez's adult children. Initially and primarily funded with a founding grant from the Olin Foundation, the Center exists largely on grants from the Bradley Foundation, and the Sarah Scaife Foundation.
The Center's most noteworthy accomplishment is the publication of a series of guidebooks promoting English Immersion including the Parents' Guide to Bilingual Education. CEO has published numerous studies examining the use of racial preferences in education, hiring, and contracting. With ties to the current administration, CEO has filed complaints with agencies challenging preferences given on the basis of race.
Note: The Center for Equal Opportunity is sometimes referred to as the Equal Opportunity Foundation.
Staff
- Linda Chavez, President
- Roger Clegg, legal counsel
- Edward Blum, variously described as "policy analyst" and "adjunct scholar"
- David Gersten, Executive Director
- Rudy Gersten, office manager
Board of Directors
- Linda Chavez, President
- Abigail Thernstrom
- John Miller, former vice president of the Center and now a reporter for National Review


