Black households in the U.S. have, on average, considerably less wealth than white households. Why hasn’t this gap closed over the past half century, even with the passage of civil rights legislation? Researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland have found that, together with barriers including discrimination, the primary driver maintaining the wealth gap is that the earning power of blacks in the labor market continues to trail that of whites. That’s contrary to other studies which generally concluded that the wealth gap was “too big” to be explained by differences in income.

How can economics inform us about racial inequities in wealth accumulation?
Why has the wealth gap between blacks and whites persisted?
What can be done and how long will it take to actually close the wealth gap if we maintain the current course?

Presenters:

Dionissi Aliprantis, Senior Research Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Daniel R. Carroll, Research Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

Moderator:

Jennifer Jordan, Anchor/Reporter, WJW-TV Fox 8

Panelists:

Stephanie McHenry, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Business Affairs and Finance, Cleveland State UniversityRandell McShepard, Vice President, Public Affairs and Chief Talent Officer, RPMJill Rizika, Executive Director, Towards Employment

Panelists will take part in an audience Q&A following moderated discussion.Space is limited. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required and will close November 8, 2019, or as soon as all seats are filled.