The U.S. state of California is taking a first-in-the-nation step in the name of racial equity. A reparations task force has submitted its final report following a years-long study looking into ways in which, California could compensate its African-American residents, who are descendants of enslaved people and have faced systemic discrimination. 

Its recommendations include dozens of policy changes as well as payments of up to $1.2 million to qualifying Black residents. While many conservatives across the nation are skeptical about the move, many African-Americans say it’s long overdue.