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There's more evidence that subsidized jobs boost racial equity, report finds

Aug 17, 2023
"There are just a lot of positive ripple effects for communities," says Kali Grant of Georgetown, who co-wrote the updated report.
At the 1963 March on Washington, Martin Luther King Jr. called for a massive federal jobs program for all Americans.
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Regaining Black farmers’ trust is “challenging," says advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture

After the loan repayment assistance program was scrapped, the USDA is having trouble regaining the trust of Black farmers.
"I've heard it said that when other farmers get a cold, Black farmers get pneumonia," said Dewayne Goldmon, senior advisor for racial equity to the Secretary of Agriculture.
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USDA equity commission unveils proposals

Mar 7, 2023
The proposals look to rectify a history of discrimination faced by farmers belonging to minority groups.
The commission, formed by the Biden administration to look into discrimination against minority farmers, released its first report last week.
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Can changing home appraisal language help close the wealth gap?

Jul 27, 2021
Descriptions in appraisal reports can create racial bias and reduce the selling price of a home. Fannie Mae is trying to clamp down on tha
Fannie Mae issued new guidance to appraisers to avoid terms it labeled racially problematic, like “crime-ridden” and “integrated community."
Karen Bleier/AFP via Getty Images

White House unveils strategy for bringing environmental justice to underprivileged communities

Jul 21, 2021
Memo tasks 21 federal agencies with combining two of the administration's top priorities in how energy and environmental funds are spent.
A memo released Wednesday tasks agencies with ensuring that disadvantaged communities receive much of the benefit of energy and environmental spending.
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What corporations need to do, internally and externally, to address social equity

Jul 1, 2021
Professor Ella L.J. Bell Smith of Dartmouth says companies must bring people of color into their executive pipelines and develop their abilities.
Addressing inequity takes external action, like following through on financial pledges, as well as internal action, like paying attention to wage equity, recruitment and promotions.
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Today's conversations about work relief sound like those of the New Deal era

Jun 28, 2021
Professors Jason Scott Smith and Jessamyn Schaller look back at the Works Progress Administration's legacy.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who pushed through New Deal legislation in the 1930s to combat the Great Depression. Objections to the relief programs were raised then, as they are now.
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Racial gap in appraisals devalues homes owned by people of color

Jun 8, 2021
Lower home appraisal values contribute to the wealth gap between white communities and communities of Black and Latinx people.
Real estate agent Don Robinson said he has seen the devaluing of homes in Black neighborhoods in Chicago with little recourse for the owners.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

Banks suspended overdraft fees for the pandemic. Now, 1 is doing so permanently.

Jun 3, 2021
Ally Bank says the charges made up less than 1% of revenue and disproportionately affected Black, Latinx and low-income customers.
The banking industry generated $12 billion from overdraft fees last year, but for many banks, the charges make little impact on financial results.
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