Dear John,

Over the weekend, a Black community in Buffalo, NY, was the direct target of a racially motivated mass shooting.

I want to express both my deep sadness from the aftermath of this violence and my solidarity with the people of Buffalo, as well as with all people who have experienced hate crimes. I also mourn alongside the victims of a number of additional  violent episodes this weekend. Although we don’t know the motives behind them yet, all of them were senseless and tragic.

This June, I will be engaging with the leader of March for our Lives, Daud Mumin, in a thoughtful conversation about the havoc that gun violence wreaks on communities of color and the very real repercussions that last for years afterwards. We will be discussing these recent tragedies and reflecting on how together we can pursue and achieve change that will prevent more senseless loss of life in the future. I hope that you will join us in this online conversation and that you will stay united with us as we work towards an expansive and inclusive economy in which everyone can live, thrive, and prosper safely and with dignity. 

Another important space where we will be engaging in proactive conversations around positive systemic change is our 2022 Prosperity Summit, for which we will soon be launching registration. And before we gather in Atlanta this fall, I invite you to share in community with us at this year’s Camp Prosperity, which will equip all advocates of social justice with tools to push for progress effectively and powerfully.

In this month’s newsletter edition, we’ll be sharing more info on these opportunities and more, including our joint webinar with the US Treasury in June, and look back at all we’ve accomplished together since April.

I also want to wish our Asian community members a Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. As we reimagine an economy that works for everyone, we remain steadfast in our commitment that this must include people in the Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. 

Thank you for your steadfast commitment to building a fair and free economy free from structural racism—one where all communities live free from the fear of violence.

San Francisco Public Press: America’s Wealth Gap Is Rooted in Racism. How Did We Get Here?, Prosperity Now Scorecard

The Washington Informer: Defining Generational Wealth, Gary Cunningham, President & CEO  

The Hill: April is a reminder that a racially equitable tax code is possible, Gary Cunningham, President & CEO and Angela F. Williams, President & CEO of United Way Worldwide

Nonprofit Quarterly: Remaking the Economy: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap, Gary Cunningham, President & CEO  

The Bond Buyer: ‘Baby Bonds’ program delayed in Connecticut’s $24.2 billion budget, Shira Markoff, Policy Fellow

How Oweesta Corporation is Building Economic Independence for All Native Communities

Oweesta Corporation, the longest standing Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) intermediary, is an organization committed to building economic independence and sovereignty for all Native communities. Through financial management skill-building, policy advocacy and initiatives to increase homeownership and business creation, Oweesta is expanding financial security for Native people while providing services directly to Native CDFIs. To learn more about Oweesta’s work, their successes in 2022, and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we sat down with Fern Orie, Chief Programs Officer and Executive Vice President of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships. Read More.

States Can Center Equity to Strengthen Their Economic Relief and Recovery Spending | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
A new piece from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities discusses how states can use funds provided by the American Rescue Plan to make investments that center racial and economic equity.

101 Solutions to Build Wealth for Everyone | Aspen Institute 
The wealthiest 1% of households own one third of all household wealth– while the bottom 50% of U.S. households own just 2% of all household wealth. The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program just released 101 solutions for policymakers, public and private institutions to reduce the large and growing  wealth gap.

Understanding the Link Between Affordable Housing and Structural Racism | Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
A recent blog from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation discusses the steps we must take to end residential segregation and the disinvestment that impacts communities of color.

Boosting Mobility and Advancing Equity Through Systems Change | Urban Institute
A new report from the Urban Institute explains how pursuing systems change addresses the root causes of long-standing inequities rather than just ameliorating their effects.

What the End of Public Health Emergency Means for People with Low Incomes | Center for Law and Social Policy
A piece from the Center for Law and Social Policy discusses how the end of the federal COVID- 19 Public Health Emergency would end the impactful public benefit programs that provide economic assistance to low-income people.

Biden’s Jobs Boom: How Policies Boosted the Labor Market Recovery in 2021 | Center for American Progress
An article from the Center for American Progress shares the impact that the American Rescue Plan in 2021 had on economic growth and the creation of new jobs.

Inflation and Its Consequences for Families with Low- and Moderate-Incomes | Urban Institute | May 19, 2022

Advancing Racial Equity in Our Communities: Fair Housing and Land Use | Urban Institute | May 26, 2022

Investing in Small Business Job Quality Virtual Convening | Prosperity Now | June 9,2022

Strengthening the IRS to Create a More Equitable Tax Code | Prosperity Now | June 15, 2022

Save the Date! Camp Prosperity is BACK starting July 12, 2022.