The Macroeconomic Effects of Racial Wealth Inequality

Given the projected demographic explosion of racial and ethnic groups that have been historically marginalized in the United States, the issue of the racial wealth gap should be of great interest to economists, policymakers, and business leaders. How will the overall economy fare if there is no substantial change in the economic condition of the rising majority? National economic prosperity depends on having an educated and thriving workforce. This panel of leading economists will discuss historical tendencies, contemporary trends, and projections of wealth accumulation as part of an examination of how the racial wealth gap is likely to affect the future of the U.S. economy.

Moderator:
Judy Woodruff, Co-Anchor & Managing Editor, PBS NewsHour

Panelists:

  • Dean Baker, Co-Director, Center for Economic and Policy Research
  • Heather Boushey, Executive Director and Chief Economist, Washington Center for Equitable Growth
  • William R. Emmons, Assistant Vice President and Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
  • William Spriggs, Chief Economist, AFL-CIO

Judy Woodruff’s opening remarks

Roundtable conversation — Part 1

Roundtable conversation — Part 2

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