Rodney Foxworth says the racial “wealth gap” is a misnomer because it implies something that’s achievable to close. “Wealth chasm” is more on the nose since we’re talking about disparities created by centuries of oppression. Growing up in Baltimore, Rodney witnessed firsthand what many Black and brown communities face in America—systemic racism, over policing, economic dislocation. Now, as CEO of Common Future, he draws on that lived experience to create a network of organizations across the country that build relationships and economic power in historically exploited communities.
In the wake of the pandemic and the death of George Floyd, Common Future redistributed 10 percent of its operating budget—in one week—into a rapid COVID response fund. Meanwhile larger, deep-pocketed foundations struggled to spring into action. What can wealthy, predominantly white organizations learn from Common Future’s community-based approach? Rodney talks with Courtney about the “duty to community” that guides everything from his moral compass to his work building an inclusive economy.
Learn more about Rodney’s work at Common Future. On the site, you’ll find profiles of the “de facto mayors” Rodney mentions in the episode, like Jessica Norwood of The Runway Project, Derrick Braziel of MORTAR, and Tim Lampkin of Higher Purpose Co.
Read Rodney’s piece ‘The System was Built to Break Black People,’ which guides much of his and Courtney’s conversation. Learn more about the racial wealth chasm through Rodney’s TED talk.
Nguhi talks about reading and returning to Courtney’s article The Reductive Seduction of Other People’s Problems.
At the end of the episode, Rodney reads Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son.” View the complete episode transcript here.
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