As the founder of Operation HOPE, I’ve spent the better part of my life advocating for financial literacy and economic empowerment in underserved communities. Over the years, I’ve come to a stark realization: there are simply not enough successful white men to carry the weight of America’s economic future.
This is not a slight against those men, who have historically driven much of our nation’s GDP growth. Just the opposite. I want as many of them as possible to be successful, as we all succeed when we all succeed. This is just a mathematical reality—and one that we must confront and solve, positively, if we want to ensure America’s continued prosperity.
Consumer spending makes up 70% of the U.S. economy, but the face of the American consumer is changing. Today America is made up of 41% minority groups. And by 2044, the United States will be a majority-minority country, meaning no single racial or ethnic group will dominate the population. Even today, minority groups wield immense purchasing power: Black Americans are projected to have $1.7 trillion in spending power by 2030, while Hispanic Americans already contribute $3.2 trillion annually to the economy.
These numbers tell a clear story: the economic future of America depends on ensuring that all citizens—regardless of race, gender, or background—have access to the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.
Read more: DEI Isn’t Working. Inclusive Economics Might
Yet today, systemic barriers continue to…
