Water Management Energy Efficiency
Durham, North Carolina is addressing significant challenges in water and energy management as part of its broader commitment to infrastructure modernization and carbon neutrality. Despite the city's economic growth and median household income of nearly $60,000, Durham faces economic disparities with a poverty rate of 15.2%. National studies show that... Read more
Advancing Equity and Sustainability in Workforce Development
The Department of Health and Human Services in Long Beach is navigating significant challenges in workforce development, particularly in addressing the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations. Historical economic disparities have disproportionately affected low-income residents and communities of color, creating barriers to health services and employment opportunities. These challenges have... Read more
Cultivating Partnerships to Build Wealth and Financial Inclusion
The Port of Long Beach is an economic powerhouse, handling $200 billion worth of goods annually and supporting 2.6 million jobs nationwide. However, the West Long Beach neighborhood that houses the port, where 90% of residents are people of color, with significant Latino, Black, and Filipino communities, suffers from poor... Read more
Designing IT Systems for Veterans to Thrive
Los Angeles County is home to approximately 281,000 military veterans who, despite their leadership experience and community service mindset, face significant challenges. Compared to civilians, veterans are twice as likely to experience homelessness and suicide, with one in three reporting having been jailed—rates that are even higher for veterans of... Read more
Leveraging Technology to Modernize Environmental Protection in NYC
NYC's Department of Environmental Protection faces growing challenges in providing essential services due to aging infrastructure and climate change impacts, which disproportionately affect low-income residents and communities of color. These populations experience greater vulnerability to service disruptions, water quality issues, and flooding, widening existing socioeconomic disparities. While DEP has begun... Read more
Strengthening Immigrant and Historically Disadvantaged Small Business Ownership and Generational Wealth-Building
Philadelphia's immigrant-owned small businesses play a crucial role in the city's economy, accounting for over a third of businesses in commercial corridors. Despite their economic significance, these business owners face substantial barriers to building long-term wealth, including limited access to business succession planning resources and challenges in acquiring the commercial... Read more
Fostering Intergenerational Wealth Through Homeownership
Kansas City faces significant housing challenges, including high vacancy rates (10.5% of housing units) and declining Black homeownership, which has decreased by 2.5% in recent years with fewer than 50% of Black households owning homes. To address these issues, the City's Land Bank is collaborating with the Office of Housing... Read more
Transforming Municipal Property into Affordable Residential Housing Opportunities
Durham, North Carolina has experienced significant growth, with population increasing by 24% between 2010 and 2020 and median home values rising by 59% from 2017 to 2022. These market dynamics have widened existing inequities, with Black household homeownership (42.1%) lagging significantly behind white households (64.6%). To address these disparities, the... Read more
Making Marina del Rey and Los Angeles County Beaches More Equitable, Accessible, & Resilient
The County of Los Angeles is leading two significant initiatives to protect and enhance its coastal assets: a coastal resilience initiative and the “Marina del Rey for All” (MdR for All) project. These efforts aim to ensure equitable, inclusive access to beaches and coastlines while addressing challenges such as extreme... Read more
Developing an Equity-Centered Climate Resilience Plan
Under mayoral guidance, the City of Los Angeles acknowledges the urgent need to address the climate crisis as a pivotal opportunity for transformative change. Recognizing the historical environmental injustices affecting marginalized communities, Los Angeles aims to lead by example, prioritizing the interests of communities of color and working-class individuals. The... Read more