Economic experts, federal policymakers and human services administrators joined researchers from Syracuse University and other academic institutions recently in Washington, D.C., to examine factors that contribute to a growing racial wealth gap in America. They also looked at how academic research can provide policy recommendations that may help mitigate the divide.
The panel discussion, workshop presentations and discussions on communicating recommendations to different community stakeholders and policymakers were part of a Lender Center for Social Justice research initiative funded by a grant from MetLife Foundation. Guest presenters included Josh Bivens, chief economist at the Economic Policy Institute; Haydar Kurban, professor of economics and director of the Center of Excellence in Housing and Urban Research and Policy at Howard University; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Cheri Hoffman, deputy commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Brian Roy, ’07, an alumnus of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and executive vice president of the DC Health Practice at Edelman; and Nico Sanders, president and CEO of Community Housing Associates Inc.
Marcelle Haddix, Syracuse University’s associate provost for strategic initiatives and co-founder of the Lender Center, says the grant from MetLife Foundation has allowed the center to involve more external partners and stakeholders in the wealth gap conversation and broaden the base of people and institutions able to contribute to possible solutions. Haddix says the center is planning additional conversations on the racial wealth gap in other cities.
These images capture moments from the event.
Phaedra Rice Stewart ’91, left, an alumna of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, poses a question. Next to her is Kira Reed, Lender Center senior research associate and associate professor at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.
Jim (Davis) Hull II ’13 (left) talks with Whitman School Associate Professor Willie Reddic.
Kristen Barnes, left, College of Law professor and event panelist, chats with Charlie Pettigrew, center, director, corporate giving and employee engagement at of MetLife Foundation. Barnes researches how the factors of property history and ownership and real estate practices contribute to the racial wealth gap in the U.S.
Coordinators and panelists (from left): Kendall Phillips, Lender Center interim director; Jhacova Williams, American University assistant professor of public administration and policy; Kristen Barnes, Syracuse University College of Law professor and associate dean for research; Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics associate professor of food studies; J Coley, Lender Center postdoctoral fellow; Daniel Cronan, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry assistant professor of landscape architecture; Marcelle Haddix, Syracuse University associate provost for strategic initiatives; and Kira Reed, Whitman School of Management associate professor and Lender Center senior research associate.
