While the longest shutdown in U.S. history leaves millions of Americans with missed paychecks and mounting bills, this piece explores why we must build wealth for all, especially for communities that have been historically kept from economic opportunity.
Despite living in one of the world’s wealthiest nations, millions of Americans remain financially vulnerable, with stark racial disparities in who has enough emergency savings to weather even a brief crisis.
While the government shutdown left us without recent economic data, the rising Black unemployment rate reveals essential truths about the state of our economy.
In May, Dēmos held a national convening of financial justice leaders to reimagine our financial systems and build community wealth through public banks. These are our top takeaways.
Instead of spending trillions to widen disparities, Congress could have made childcare more affordable, improved the nation’s crumbling housing stock, and created a much-overdue program for paid family and medical leave.
A strong economy cannot be measured by stock market performance; it must be assessed by everyday people’s ability to meet their basic needs and achieve economic security.
In his reflections on Dēmos’ and NPQ’s Third Reconstruction series, Aron Goldman uplifts the call to look beyond the crises of today and envision a new path toward our collective liberation.
To build the democracy we never had, activating people power—animated by an inclusive vision for our economy, especially through labor unions—is essential.
At a time of racial justice backlash, a call for a full-throated multiracial democracy may seem audacious—it’s also a necessary movement to preserve US democracy at all.
Can movement advocates imagine liberation in a time of mounting authoritarianism? Not only can we, but we must. To do so requires imagination, planning, and action.
Foundations can play an important role in helping movements not only survive but thrive. But doing so requires a shift in mindset—and accountability to the public good.
The three post–Civil War constitutional amendments offered the United States a second, more democratic founding. Preserving this framework is essential.
As 2026 employment data rolls out and we try to make sense of the new year's economy, the U-6 rate offers a less-cited but revealing indicator of labor market health.
History reminds us that progress has never come from moderation or retreat. It has come from people who refused to wait their turn, who organized, resisted, and reshaped the nation.
