State of the Dream 2016: #BlackLivesMatter and the Economy

New movements call for new solutions. And this year, we’re taking a new approach to our annual State of the Dream report. 

Keeping pace with the burgeoning Black Lives Matter and Fight for $15 movements, we are releasing an infographic tool for organizers with important facts about the racism and the growing racial wealth divide.

As we deviate from tradition, it’s a moment to celebrate and learn from the thirteen years of reports. At it’s most successful, we highlighted solutions like postal banking, a policy from our 2015 report “Underbanked and Overcharged,” that’s been touted by over 20 organizations and gained momentum in the presidential race. It would extend basic financial services like check cashing, savings accounts, and ATM services to millions of people abandoned by the Big Banks.

Now, in the third year of our strategic plan, we’ve learned that meaningful change starts with people, not policy experts or politicians. We’re supporting people organizing in the streets, in the meeting rooms and over the airwaves – to push for solutions that best meet the needs of their community.

We will continue our important work and thought-focused on closing the racial-wealth gap – but in the spirit of Dr. King, our focus will be providing the content and research grassroots organizers desperately need, when they need it, in an accessible and engaging way.

We wouldn’t have taken this approach without the feedback of dozens of movement leaders. If you have an idea or feedback that will improve our work, let us know. In the meantime, take a look at (and share!) our latest infographic: #BlackLivesMatter and the Economy

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Showing 6 reactions

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  • Rebeca Brown
    commented 2017-12-06 06:03:24 -0500
    I totally agree that the facts are very much disturbing and true. These problems are all around the world. With Donald Trump coming into presidency the matters have become worse.
  • Abhijay Vedala
    commented 2017-02-28 20:13:36 -0500
    The facts are very much disturbing and true. These problems are all around the world. With Donald Trump coming into presidency the matters have become worse. I face these discrimination every day. Hope the world understands it is the inner beauty rather than the color of the skin.
  • Sophia King
    commented 2017-02-18 03:13:19 -0500
    This is really great and very informative infographic on how racism thrives in USA these days. Especially when it concerns financial help and loan companies, I personally faced with this problem.
    —Sophia
  • Kimberly Christensen
    commented 2016-06-01 16:27:08 -0400
    This is a helpful graphic. But, I have to say, I was looking forward to a full report this year on the economic disparities behind Black Lives Matter. I teach young people and have used your reports in my classes for years. I agree that meaningful change starts with people, not policy experts or politicians. But the people have to be well-educated and your reports have been very useful in that regard. Maybe, in the future, you can do both reports and infographics?? (More work – just what you need! haha) In any case, thank you.
  • Rowan Webb
    commented 2016-04-04 00:14:47 -0400
    I think it’s a really sad thing to be seeing in society these days but there’s very little that we can do about the state of the divide unless the people pull themselves up and out of their problems, financially, physically, and get themselves educated. There has to be a reason why there is a perceived prejudice. http://financesmarter.com.au
  • Ted Velasquez
    commented 2016-01-18 23:51:48 -0500
    This is a great infographic which highlights how racism has been institutionalized and enforced in the public and private sectors of America. I have noticed in the corporate world that people of color are often unjustifiably terminated for minor and obscure company policy infractions, while similar infractions committed by white people are often overlooked. In solidarity! Ted Velasquez

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