Money: anti-racism reading and resources

The Basics

The racial wealth gap didn’t happen by accident. It grew out of slavery, redlining, unequal pay and banks that shut people out. Closing it means changing policy, supporting community-owned businesses and talking openly about who has money and why.

We’ve covered money and wealth for years. Every issue is in our archive. Read past issues >

Three words that come up again and again on this topic. See all of our key terminology >

Racial Wealth Gap — The difference in household wealth between white families and Black families.
Reparations — Actions taken to repair the harm of slavery and racism, which can include payments to descendants of enslaved people.
Affirmative Action — Policies that give marginalized people fairer access to jobs, schools and contracts.

Can Financial Literacy Education Fix Inequality?
Financial literacy education is often suggested as a remedy for poverty, ignoring how policy, not lack of knowledge, drives economic inequalities.
Andrew Lee Jul 27, 2023
How the Asian Wealth Gap Breaks from Wealth Stereotypes
The Asian wealth gap is also the highest of any racial category, with some Asian nationalities among the worst-paid in the country.
Andrew Lee May 11, 2023
How Financial Crises Shape Social Justice Movements
May 1893 was the beginning of an economic recession with strong parallels to the present day.
Andrew Lee May 9, 2023
Why Do Banks Receive Bailouts Over Other Financial Issues?
With the current political and economic system, special measures to protect financial markets are seen as urgent over efforts to support the survival of everyday people.
Andrew Lee Mar 24, 2023
What Closing the Gender Pay Gap Would Look Like
In recognizing Equal Pay Day, we must center the most marginalized and affected by the wage gap in order to achieve gender pay equity.
Nicole Cardoza Mar 14, 2023
How Rising Food Costs Threatens Food Security
The pandemic exposed and exacerbated existing economic inequalities in one of the wealthiest nations, with rising food costs despite insufficient food access at the forefront.
Dominique Stewart Feb 6, 2023

These groups are led by people of color and work on money and wealth every day. Follow them for updates and ways to help.

National African American Reparations Commission Advocates for reparations for Black Americans. Visit their website, and follow @reparationscomm on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.
First Nations Development Institute Native-led group building economic power in Native communities. Visit their website, and follow @fndi303 on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.
NALCAB Latino network and lender building wealth, homeownership and small businesses. Visit their website, and follow @nalcabsa on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.

Independent newsrooms that cover money and wealth often. Read and donate if you can!

Capital B. Black news outlet covering wealth, jobs and economic policy. Follow @capitalbnews on Instagram.
Next City. Coverage of reparations, guaranteed income and community wealth building. Follow @nextcityorg on Instagram.
Nonprofit Quarterly. Nonprofit outlet with a strong economic justice and racial wealth gap beat. Follow @npquarterly on Instagram.

ps – this is a community-created guide that is updated often. Want to make changes/corrections? Complete this form.