Dear John,

In 60 days, I’m hoping you will join me in Atlanta, GA to kick off our 2022 Prosperity Summit to answer the question: How do we reimagine economic justice so we get to an economy that works for everyone? 

Our team is hard at work planning our boldest Summit yet, and I’m eagerly anticipating connecting with leaders and advocates like you to discover new solutions, deepen our shared understanding, build collective power, and take action for transformative change – all to advance racial economic justice. 

We’ll ground our vision for economic justice in our histories, explore how to design programs by centering communities, brainstorm daring ideas to reach economic equity for all, discuss weaving in economic equity across sectors, and close with a shared commitment for collective action to build towards a democracy that prioritizes prosperity for each and every one of us.

We’ve extended our early bird rate, so make sure to register before August 5. And know that we’re keeping your health and safety top of mind by actively monitoring COVID-19 developments and putting protocols in place.  

Until we meet, this month’s edition is just a small preview of the substantive work we’ll discuss when we gather in September. 

Counting down the days until Atlanta,

Marketwatch: Women lacking financial resources will suffer': Dissenting Supreme Court justices paint bleak picture for low-income women seeking abortions in post-Roe America, Gary Cunningham, President & CEO   

St. Paul Pioneer-Press: St. Paul’s next basic income experiment: $12,000 cash plus money for college, Shira Markoff, Policy Fellow

Axios: States eye "baby bonds" to address wealth gaps, Shira Markoff, Policy Fellow

Washington State Treasurer, Mike Pellicciotti: State Treasurer, Prosperity Now Announce Partnership to Study Wealth Inequity in Washington, Gary Cunningham, President & CEO   

Orlando Business Journal: Enterprising Black Orlando launches efforts to boost local Black business, Prosperity Now

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

Implementing Sustainable Community Services: An interview with Carmela Walker, Coordinator for United Way Thrive

For the past 13 years, United Way Thrive has helped families in the Greater Houston Area with the resources and services needed to build financial security. In 2021, United Way Thrive assisted families with 30,500 tax returns with more than $46 million in net refunds returned. To learn more about the work of United Way Thrive, we sat down with Carmela Walker, United Way Thrive’s Coordinator, and Prosperity Now Community Champion and Community Steering Committee Member. Read More.

TAKE ACTION: Request $35 Million for VITA in FY23!

The House Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee recently released their draft 2023 funding bill which calls for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) funding at $35 million, an increase over last year’s $30 million funding. Take a moment to tell your legislators to support the House funding proposal for VITA! 

Prosperity Now is currently hiring for several positions on the Communications, Network Building, Development, Operations and Policy teams. Are you our next Prosperiteer? Head over to our Careers page to learn more.

Congress Should Support LGBTQ People with Low Incomes by Expanding the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit | Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP)

A new article from CBPP discusses the importance of pursuing policy that uplifts LGBTQ+ people and families who are living in poverty and experiencing financial hardship. 

Stimulus Payments, Child Tax Credit Expansion Were Critical Parts of Successful COVID-19 Policy Response | Center for Budget and Policy Priorities

Another piece from CBPP highlights the success of stimulus payments and the expansion of the child tax credit as part of the economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How Forgiveness Could Support the Student Loan Restart | Urban Institute

A new article from the Urban Institute explains why the Biden administration should consider loan forgiveness to give borrowers a fresh start.

“We Don’t Have that in Mississippi”: How Temporary Expansions of the Child Tax Credit & Child Care Demonstrate the Importance of Federal Investments & Oversight | Center for the Study of Social Policy

A brief from the Center for the Study of Social Policy discusses findings research conducted in Mississippi to determine whether the Child Tax Credit and childcare investments were advancing economic and racial equity.

The Advance Child Tax Credit: 2022 And Beyond | Forbes

In a new Forbes podcast episode, Elaine Maag of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center discusses lessons learned from the 2021 expanded child tax credit and what policy implications Congress should consider in the future.

The United States Must Deliver on Equitable Housing Outcomes for All | The Center for American Progress

A recent article from the Center for American Progress discusses the need for long term federal housing policy to address a nationwide housing affordability crisis, which disproportionately impacts Black and Latino families.

Camp Prosperity 2022: Advocacy Summer Camp Series | Prosperity Now

• July 26, 2022, 2:00-3:30 pm EDT | Equity to Justice: Reimagining Strategies for Community-Driven Solutions

Fireside Chat with the Foundation for Financial Planning: Expanding Client Wealth with Volunteer Certified Financial Planners | Prosperity Now & Foundation for Financial Planning | July 27, 2022 | 3:00- 4:00 pm EDT 

2022 Prosperity Summit | Prosperity Now | September 19-22, 2022