The link between capitalism and systemic racism has been with us even before the founding of the United States, as using people for profit is one of our country’s original sins. The compounding and cumulative impact of discrimination in housing, education and employment, displacement of people off their land facilitated by policies like urban renewal and the disinvestment in urban communities brought about by redlining are just a few ways in which there has been a long history of attack on BIPOC prosperity.
From the wealth gap to the lack of venture and loan capital available to BIPOC businesses, the economic opportunities of BIPOC people in this country have been purposely limited. The authors in this section offer us some purposeful ways to disrupt these patterns and invest in the economic empowerment of Black and Brown people, communities and businesses.
From Red Lines to Brown circles, Again
Shekinah Mitchell
Interview with Kim Young
Kim Young
1. What connections do you see, if any, between capitalism and racism? What role, if any, people see in government expanding economic empowerment? reparations?
2. Shekinah Mitchell argues that “Our goals must grow beyond increasing bankability into financial systems built on capitalism corrupted by racism and instead stretch to create inclusive, communal pathways to economic liberation.” What are your thoughts on Shekinah’s Brown Circles model which supports the creation of Black and Brown community LLC’s and Black-owned banks and credit unions? Do you have other ideas that would provide pathways to economic liberation?
3. Brian Anderson believes that the business community has a role to play in advancing racial equity through changing their policies in practices, supporting students of color and removing barriers to supplier diversity. What role do you see the business community playing in advancing racial equity? Would you have anything to add to Brian’s recommendations?
4. How do the ideas of justice and liberation that Iman discusses, connect with economic empowerment?
The Daughter of a Slave Who Did the Unthinkable: Build a Bank. Back in Business
Jason Zweig, The Wall Street Journal (September 25, 2020)
Minority entrepreneurs at a tipping point as Black-owned banks dwindle in the U.S.
Cameron Costa, Our New Future (August 25, 2020)
From commitments to action: How CEOs can advance racial equity in their regional economies
Amy Liu and Reniya Dinkins (March 11, 2021)
The Case for Reparations
Ta-Nehisi Coates (June, 2014)
Discussion Guide - Advancing Economic Empowerment (pdf)
DownloadThe Richmond Racial Equity Essays launched in 2021 with the goal of promoting thought leadership and public dialogue toward advancing racial equity in Richmond, Virginia, but also as a multi-media model for other cities grappling...
Planning for Inclusive Communities
Urban planning concerns itself with the design and uses of space (or land) that focus on the physical form, economic functions, and social impacts of the built and natural environments in cities, towns and places in our communities. Although...
Building Sustainable and Affordable Housing
Housing is a basic need around which our health and stability is built, our neighborhoods are centered and housing (through homeownership) is a cornerstone for wealth building. Thus access to...
Ensuring Education Equity
The quality of one’s education has a significant impact on both their access to opportunity and life outcomes. Yet, many Black and Brown children lack the access to a quality education within....
Advancing Economic Empowerment
The link between capitalism and systemic racism has been with us even before the founding of the United States, as using people for profit is one of our country’s original sins. The compounding...
Shifting Power and Reimagining Partnerships
Central among our ongoing reckoning with racial justice is the question of how power is shifted and shared through partnerships. Historically marginalized communities...
Lifting Up Latino Leadership and Language Access
Latinos will soon be a majority in many cities across the U.S., yet the numbers of Latino leaders continue to lag across sectors as compared with other groups. This inequitable distribution of power...
Creating Community, Healing, and Justice
In the journey to dismantle structures of white supremacy there must be attention paid to community rebuilding and healing. Trauma from racism has negatively impacted Black and Brown people, and...
Building a Healthy Environment
Most U.S. localities are legally tasked to make decisions that protect the health, safety and general welfare of its inhabitants. While environmental health should be provided for all populations, communities...
Thank you for reading, watching, and listening to the content from the Richmond Racial Equity Essays. We hope this guide helped you delve deeper into the material and furthered your learning and...
The Richmond Racial Equity Essays launched in 2021 with the goal of promoting thought leadership and public dialogue toward advancing racial equity in Richmond, Virginia, but also as a multi-media model for other cities grappling...
Planning for Inclusive Communities
Urban planning concerns itself with the design and uses of space (or land) that focus on the physical form, economic functions, and social impacts of the built and natural environments in cities, towns and places in our communities. Although...
Building Sustainable and Affordable Housing
Housing is a basic need around which our health and stability is built, our neighborhoods are centered and housing (through homeownership) is a cornerstone for wealth building. Thus access to...
Ensuring Education Equity
The quality of one’s education has a significant impact on both their access to opportunity and life outcomes. Yet, many Black and Brown children lack the access to a quality education within....
Advancing Economic Empowerment
The link between capitalism and systemic racism has been with us even before the founding of the United States, as using people for profit is one of our country’s original sins. The compounding...
Shifting Power and Reimagining Partnerships
Central among our ongoing reckoning with racial justice is the question of how power is shifted and shared through partnerships. Historically marginalized communities...
Lifting Up Latino Leadership and Language Access
Latinos will soon be a majority in many cities across the U.S., yet the numbers of Latino leaders continue to lag across sectors as compared with other groups. This inequitable distribution of power...
Creating Community, Healing, and Justice
In the journey to dismantle structures of white supremacy there must be attention paid to community rebuilding and healing. Trauma from racism has negatively impacted Black and Brown people, and...
Building a Healthy Environment
Most U.S. localities are legally tasked to make decisions that protect the health, safety and general welfare of its inhabitants. While environmental health should be provided for all populations, communities...
Thank you for reading, watching, and listening to the content from the Richmond Racial Equity Essays. We hope this guide helped you delve deeper into the material and furthered your learning and...
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