The Black-White Wealth Gap

Description: In 2019, the average White family held 7 times the wealth of the average Black family. This presentation provides a detailed discussion of the nature, sources, and implications of this gap along with suggestions for policies that can work to narrow the gap. The present gap in wealth between Black and White families is 400 years in the making. Beginning with the slave trade, slavery, and more than 100 years of post Civil War policies that discriminated against Black Americans, the wealth gap is not surprising. The policies that contributed to the gap are not well understood and will be discussed in some detail. Solutions to the gap are often focused on what the Black community can do to enhance its wealth holdings. However, these solutions may not be the panacea that many believe. Indeed, other proactive policies at the level of the federal government may be necessary to address the gap.