Dear John,

How do we keep pushing the envelope? In my role at Prosperity Now, I’m regularly grappling with how we go beyond the status quo so that all families can reach economic stability, build generational wealth and prosper. With Father’s Day, Juneteenth and Gun Violence Awareness Month all upon us, more questions come to mind.

As a father and grandfather, I often reflect on the following: how do I shift the narrative on Black fatherhood to one of greater positivity and joy? 

As a Black man leading an organization dedicated to racial and ethnic economic equity, what does freedom mean in the context of unjust and unfree systems?  

As an advocate that sits at several intersections within the realm of racial and economic justice, where is the best place to start when tackling the intertwined cycles of poverty and violence, and in particular, gun violence?  

While I work through these questions in partnership with all of you, I’m ever grateful to lead and serve at an organization that seeks to go beyond the status quo to transform and dismantle all harmful structures and systems that exclude people of color – to rebuild our economy from the ground up.

In this month’s edition, we share a wide range of opportunities to join us in working through these questions and share learnings on the solutions that can start to get us closer to an economy that works for everyone. I hope that you will join our bold calling to march on for economic justice.

Nonprofit Quarterly: To Close the Racial Wealth Gap, Craft an Explicit Pro-Black Agenda, Gary Cunningham, President & CEO    

National Geographic: Hard hit by COVID-19, Black Americans are recovering slowly, Gary Cunningham, President & CEO  

Bloomberg Law: Skyrocketing Home Costs Spur Fed, State Aid to First-Time Buyers, Doug Ryan, Vice President of Policy and Applied Research

The Breakfast Club: Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon Talks Black Business, Financial Literacy, The Village Market + More, Prosperity Now

Don’t miss out on early bird pricing and register for Prosperity Summit 2022 TODAY!

Foundations for an Equitable Recovery: An Interview with Local Initiative Support Corporation

The Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) works with communities and nonprofit partners across the country to address the growing financial concerns facing low- and moderate-income people and communities of color. To discuss the need for an equitable economic recovery and the importance of access to wealth-building opportunities, we interviewed Laura D’Alessandro, Director of Financial Health at LISC and member of the Prosperity Now Community Steering Committee. Read More.

Building Back for Justice: Essential Elements for a Child Tax Credit Rooted in Justice

For the Child Tax Credit to be a force for racial economic justice, we must eliminate provisions, such as work requirements and means-testing, that directly contradict the true intentions of the Child Tax Credit—to set up children and families for long-term success so that future generations will be better positioned to attain financial security. To build racial economic justice, we need provisions such as full refundability, advanced monthly payments, and an increased credit amount that support BIPOC communities, not hurt them. Join Prosperity Now by calling on Congress to help us #BuildBackForJustice by expanding the Child Tax Credit.

States at Work: Shining Examples of Progressive Legislation in Key Economic Policy in 2022 

Read our recent blog for Prosperity Now’s assessment of the progressive bills introduced and passed in states during this Legislative Session. Bills include bipartisan action around homeownership and housing, financial security, taxation, and inflation.

Exploring Job Quality in Latinx & Black-owned Small Businesses | Prosperity Now

Entrepreneurship is a critical pathway to wealth-building and job creation. This report outlines findings from a pilot study Prosperity Now conducted on job quality in small businesses (defined as 20 employees or fewer) owned by Black and Latinx entrepreneurs.  

HomeReserve: Key Findings for Homeownership Programming | Prosperity Now 

Homeownership is the largest marker of equity and leads to generational wealth-building. With that in mind, Prosperity Now collaborated with JP Morgan Chase to pilot a Mortgage Reserve Account (MRA) savings match program providing down payment assistance to low-to-moderate income first-time homeowners. Read our top 3 key insights to ensure affordable and sustainable homeownership. 

How to Build Financial Health in Native Communities | The Aspen Institute

A recent piece from The Aspen Institute addresses the importance of asset building in Native communities, which have been historically excluded from building wealth.

Homeownership in Assessments of Fair Housing | Urban Institute

A report from the Urban Institute discusses the need to develop strategies and outline goals to address racial disparities and inequities in housing for Black and Latinx families.

Congress Shouldn’t Prioritize Corporate Tax Interests Over Children and Low-Paid Workers | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP)

A new article from the CBPP urges Congress to prioritize the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit over corporate tax interests.

Equitable Economic Recovery Post-COVID Must be Society’s Priority | Brookings Institute

A project from the Brookings Institute examined shifting inequities in the post-pandemic recovery and how community well-being could be addressed with new public policy.

Retirement Savings Bill Should Improve Financial Security for Low-Income Elderly, Disabled People | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

An article from the CBPP discusses the need to address inflation by increasing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) asset limits, which would allow more elderly, disabled and low-income people to receive increased financial support.

Disproportionately Impacted: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap through Student Loan Cancellation, Payment Reforms, and Investment in College Affordability | Center for Law and Social Policy

A new brief from the Center for Law and Social Policy calls for federal administrative action to address the student loans and college affordability crisis, particularly the disproportionate impact on Black borrowers.

States at Work: Shining Examples of Progressive Legislation in Key Economic Policy in 2022 | Prosperity Now

Our own State and Local Policy Manager, Seanniece Bamiro, assesses the progressive bills introduced and passed in states during this Legislative Session. Bills include bipartisan action around homeownership and housing, financial security, taxation, and inflation.

Innovations in Small Business Support: Implementing the State Small Business Credit Initiative | Urban Institute | June 23, 2022 | 12-1 pm EDT

Fireside Chat with the Foundation for Financial Planning: Expanding Client Wealth with Volunteer Certified Financial Planners | Prosperity Now & Foundation for Financial Planning | June 28, 2022 | 3- 4 pm EDT 

Camp Prosperity 2022: Advocacy Summer Camp Series | Prosperity Now

• July 12, 2022, 2-3:30 pm EDT | The New Change Agent: Federal, State & Local Advocacy in an Election Year
• July 19, 2022, 2-3:30 pm EDT | Permission to Engage: Equipping Ambassadors to Advocate for Change
• July 26, 2022, 2-3:30 pm EDT | Equity to Justice: Reimagining Strategies for Community-Driven Solutions