Economic Recovery for Everyone:

Racial Equity and Prosperity

by The Center for Social Inclusion

Published by POVERTY & RACE
RESEARCH ACTION COUNCIL
March/April 2009
Volume 18: Number 2

States are poised to receive significant federal funding to stimulate the economy and put people back to work. Much of it targets “shovel ready” projects. Government has to be smart about how it uses our money. The stimulus package alone will not be enough to put everyone who needs a job back to work. And it will not support all the services our communities need. But if it is allocated wisely and fairly, it can be a powerful boost to the economy and improve the lives of many.

To do that, states must ensure that those in the most need benefit from the stimulus. While we have made much progress on race and gender equality in this country, we have not yet achieved full fairness, and these inequities limit prosperity for all of us.