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
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
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
Enabling Resilience Capabilities Across Atlanta
In response to the deeply rooted challenges of racial segregation, economic disparity, and limited life opportunities faced by residents in Atlanta, Mayor Andre Dickens has launched a transformative initiative to make the city the best place in the country to raise a child. Recognizing the need for immediate and direct... Read more
Digital Equity in Broadband Infrastructure
The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL), with a rich history of innovation, has played a pivotal role in making Los Angeles a pioneering 5G city. In response to the growing digital divide, especially in under-connected communities like Crenshaw Boulevard, BSL is leveraging funds from the American Rescue Plan... Read more
Economic Assessment of Extreme Heat Toolkit
In response to the escalating urban heat crisis in Los Angeles exacerbated by climate change, the City, in collaboration with FUSE, is implementing the Extreme Heat Toolkit. The project addresses the disproportionate impact of heat waves on marginalized neighborhoods. The initiative, led by StreetsLA, involves a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of... Read more
Equitable Redevelopment of Public Green Spaces
The City of Los Angeles embarked on the LA River Revitalization Master Plan in 2007, transforming the Los Angeles River into a vibrant and accessible space. The 100 Acre Partnership, a collaboration between the City, California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, focuses on... Read more
Renewable Energy Expansion through Federal and Private Partnerships
The community of Cincinnati aims to accelerate its transition to renewable energy and electrification to achieve the newly established goals of carbon neutrality. With the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Cincinnati has the opportunity to address energy inequities and leverage... Read more