Wealth Matters Series

The W.E.B. Du Bois Scholars Institute Presents:
The Wealth Matters Series

During the 2021 and 2022 Du Bois Online Summer Program, over 300 attendees, including students, parents, alumni, faculty/staff and supporters of the Institute, attended a series of online panel discussions surrounding the issues of wealth in Black and other marginalized communities. Videos of each Wealth Matters panel—moderated by Damon, Jones, Ph.D., series organizer and Chair of the W.E.B. Du Bois Scholars Institute’s Board of Directors—are available to watch below. Stay tuned for future installments of the series!

Download the Wealth Matters Guide, complete with panelist biographies, video transcripts as well as related reading materials and resources.

Panelists

Trevon Logan, Ph.D.
-Economic Historian Ohio State University

Ellora Derenoncourt, Ph.D.
-Labor Economist Princeton University

The Origins of Wealth: Panel Discussion I
This panel focused on the key determinants of wealth and wealth inequality, with a focus on racial wealth gaps and the Black-White wealth gap. The panelists gave a current accounting of wealth inequality, present-day and over-time, and discussed historical forces that have driven these gaps.
Panelists
Charles E. Corpening, M.B.A
-Chairman Joshua Partners
Lincoln Liburd, M.S.
-Engagement Manager Medallia

Tanya Van Court, M.S.
-Founder & CEO Goalsetter

Private Wealth Building: Panel Discussion II
This panel focused on common strategies for building wealth, from financial experts. The panelists also discussed what it would take for private-wealth building to translate into broader benefits for the community at large.
Panelists
Cecilia Conrad, Ph.D.
-CEO
-Lever for Change
-Managing Director
-MacArthur Foundation
Andre Perry, Ph.D.
-Senior Fellow
-Brookings Institution
-Metropolitan Policy Program
William Spriggs, Ph.D.
-Chief Economist
-AFL-CIO
-Professor
-Howard University
The Role of Wealth Today and the Future: Panel Discussion III

This panel focused on the role that wealth plays in our society, and participants were invited to imagine what role wealth should play in the future, with an eye toward issues of justice.

Panelists

Marcia Chatelain, Ph.D.
-Professor/Author
-Georgetown University

Daryl Fairweather, Ph.D.
-Chief Economist
-Redfin

The American Dream: Business Ownership, Homewownership, Wealth & Race: Panel Discussion IV
This panel focused on two pillars of the “American Dream,” business ownership and homeownership, with a focus on wealth inequality, especially across racial groups. Our panelists discussed how these pathways to wealth have played out historically in the black community, and their current-day role in determining wealth patterns.