Dear John,

When we work together to advance justice, rights are secured, gaps are closed and policy is changed.

We are only five weeks away from the 2022 Prosperity Summit in Atlanta, GA! I could not be more excited! Prosperity Now staff are ready to connect and reconnect with leaders and advocates who work tirelessly to create economic opportunity in communities across the nation. I am especially looking forward to gathering with my colleagues doing incredible work in our host city of Atlanta.

This week, we begin to share our exciting speaker lineup, starting with leading antiracist scholar, Dr. Ibram Kendi, who will join us at #ProsperitySummit2022! His scholarship and bold leadership have set the standard for advancing the struggle against racism in the United States, and we are grateful that he will set the tone for the important work we will be doing as we come together.

As we move closer to uniting in a city steeped in legacy and recognized as a cornerstone of activism and advocacy, I am overcome with anticipation over the relationships that will be strengthened, strategies that will be shared and plans that will be set in motion.

I also cannot ignore the weight of the work we have left to do. While the Inflation Reduction Act passed yesterday was a step in the right direction and a moment to celebrate, key foundational investments like a permanent Child Tax Credit were left out. Meanwhile, BlPOC businesses are still struggling to recover from the pandemic, and we have not yet even scratched the surface of the housing crisis. 

The list of challenges is long, but our determination is powerful.

It’s time to build back for justice. Next stop: Atlanta.

Prosperity Now: PN Applauds Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act - Still, "We're Not Done," Gary Cunningham, President & CEO 

Newsweek: Gun Violence Starts with Inequity. Let's Start There, Gary Cunningham, President & CEO and Daud Mumin 

Inside Philanthropy: Fundraisers for Economic Justice See Challenges and Opportunities in a Historic Moment, Jennifer Broome, Vice President of Philanthropy

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

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods: What is generational wealth?, Ebony White, Director of Racial Economic Justice

Axios: California will soon start giving kids free money for college. Here’s what families need to know, Shira Markoff, Policy Fellow 

Politico: Now, onto the California climate agenda, Shira Markoff, Policy Fellow

Unifying Health and Wealth in Community-based Social Services Programs

Over the past couple of years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the connections between health and wealth have become more apparent. To learn more about how Community Champion, Catalyst Miami, strategically incorporates and unifies health and wealth in their economic justice and social services programs across the city, we sat down with Alyssa Delgado, Catalyst Miami’s Senior Prosperity Manager for their Community Economic Development department. Read More.

Join us to #BuildBackForJustice!

On Tuesday, August 23, Prosperity Now will hold a Day of Action to collectively urge Congress to #BuildBackForJustice by expanding the Child Tax Credit and ensuring everyone has access to safe and affordable housing. Please use our Build Back for Justice Toolkit to post on social media, contact your legislators, and engage local media!

2022 Benefits Scorecard | Aspen Institute

Aspen Institute’s Benefits Scorecard assesses 22 private and public benefits on how they meet the financial needs of workers. 

Changes to the Community Reinvestment Act to Ensure Equity in Credit Access | Prosperity Now

In this blog post, Prosperity Now explains that the CRA does not go far enough to ensure fair lending practices and credit access equity in all communities. 

Could Investments in Community Broadband Bridge the Digital Divide? | Urban Institute

In this article, Urban Institute explains how community broadband, and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program could expand internet access and bridge the digital divide.

Guaranteed Income: A Primer for Funders | Asset Funders Network

This primer from the Asset Funders Network describes how guaranteed income can strengthen low and moderate-income communities and communities of color and build a more resilient economy. 

Guaranteed Income: Now More Critical Than Ever to Help Families Build Wealth | Prosperity Now

In this blog post, Prosperity Now explains how a federal guaranteed income could help ensure financial stability to help individuals and families weather temporary financial hardships. 

Children’s Savings Accounts: A Core Part of the Equity Agenda | Asset Funders Network

The Asset Funders Network describes how CSAs, in partnership with other postsecondary access policy and programs, are a vital part of the equity agenda. 

Housing Solutions Matchmaker Tool | National Association of Counties (NACo)

This new tool from NACo, Brookings Institution and Aspen Institute provides information on housing metrics and solutions to increase housing affordability.

ICYMI: Camp Prosperity 2022: Advocacy Summer Camp Series | Prosperity Now | July 12-26, 2022