Analysis and points of view on research, trends, issues, ideas and opportunities.
Over the past year, the social safety net has changed drastically. Changes led by the White House and passed by Congress stripped away critical support people rely on, all in order to pay for massive tax cuts for the wealthy. Simultaneously, the broader economic picture is only getting worse for most Americans. Each year, more
As the economy roils from the shockwaves of the tariff/trade war of last year and the ongoing and intensifying energy shock from the Iran war, the unemployment rate remains low at 4.3%. 100,000 jobs were added in April, which was the first consecutive month of positive growth since April of 2025. Despite the positives in
Black Men Face a Worsening Jobs Market: May 2026 Race, Jobs and Economy Update Read More »
More than 1,000 community development leaders, practitioners, policymakers, industry professionals and NCRC members from across the nation gathered at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s (NCRC) 2026 Just Economy Conference April 14-15 in Washington, DC.
Recap: Highlights From The 2026 Just Economy Conference Read More »
Small businesses play a vital role in the US economy, but their ability to access credit has been a longstanding obstacle to their viability. A recent Federal Reserve report summarizing survey data found that nearly one-fourth of small businesses that employ others are owned by persons of color. Congress enacted Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act to solve a basic market failure: the lack
The Long Fight for Small Business Lending Transparency Is Not Over Read More »
National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) member Community Builders of Kansas City does more than build houses – they build ecosystems where housing, jobs and community spaces work together to create more self-sustaining neighborhoods. Since 1991, the nonprofit has created over 600 affordable residential housing units and 500,000 square feet of commercial space that provide employment
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) mandates that banks invest in the communities they serve, with a particular focus on reinvestment efforts in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities. Banks are required to fulfill this obligation by providing access to credit through safe, nonpredatory practices. Although these mandates are often viewed as compliance requirements, that perspective overlooks
“LULUs” sounds like a funny word, but the health burdens tied to LULUs are no laughing matter. Locally unwanted land uses (LULUs) – industrial sites, highways, power plants and waste facilities – are essential to how cities function. However, living close to them can also mean greater exposure to pollution, excessive noise and other environmental
When Roddell Denetso launched Black Streak Apparel in 2021 in Shiprock, New Mexico, he was not thinking about Netflix or LeBron James. He was thinking about his community and about building something that could outlast any single moment. Luckily, he was connected to NCRC member organization Change Labs, a Shiprock-based small business training center. When the producers of Rez
Economic Mobility on the Ground: Native Entrepreneurship and Trust-Based Capital Read More »
North Philadelphia neighborhoods surrounding Temple University have long been shaped by the intersection of student housing demand, investor activity and systemic housing inequities. Rising property values and suspicious real estate transactions are now creating financial pressures that threaten the stability of longstanding residents while reshaping the student housing market. Student Influence and Market Distortions This discovery
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” said local entrepreneur and CEO of Cena Health Vanessa Sena. “You have to utilize what you [have] through the small steps.” When Sena began providing medically tailored meals for patients in Hartford, CT during the COVID-19 pandemic, she didn’t expect that in less than three years she would have transformed
More Than Capacity: How FED Fellows Help Communities Grow and Thrive Read More »
Trump’s Legislative Priorities on AI Endanger the Future of Economic Mobility Last month, the Trump administration released its National Legislative Framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI), informing Congress of his policy priorities for the industry for the coming year. The proposal comes as data centers and fears about AI-driven job displacement, particularly amongst white collar workers
Large banks, often shaped by profit-driven performance indicators, tend to prefer larger loan amounts ($1 million+), leaving small businesses in underserved communities to navigate funding challenges alone. The result is a financial landscape that can restrict economic mobility and long term wealth creation for historically underbanked communities. Founded in 2017 by Malcolm Sykes, a former
“I have been advocating on the Hill for more than 30 years,” said Carol Johnson, NCRC board chair and civil rights attorney. “Every visit reminds me of something essential: the freedom we each have to petition our government and hold our leaders accountable for the decisions that shape our daily lives […] especially when the
Hear civil rights leaders Lisa Rice (President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Fair Housing Alliance), Reed Colfax (Co-Managing Partner at Relman Colfax), Mikael Rojas (Partner with Outten & Golden) and NCRC board chair and civil rights attorney Carol Johnson in a panel titled “The Future of Civil Rights” that explores how attendees can
The Future of Civil Rights Panel – 2026 Just Economy Conference Read More »
Pennsylvania has one of the nation’s most inequitably funded public school systems. Some children attend school in 75-year-old buildings with no air conditioning, surrounded by holes in ceilings, gun violence and a lack of basic supplies. However, just one town over, students attend schools with full-equipped music and gym classes, state-of-the-art technology, well-trained staff and
