What happened to the American Dream?

 
Just as man cannot live without dreams, he cannot live without hope. If dreams reflect the past, hope summons the future.
— Elie Wiesel 1986 Nobel Peace Prize Lecture (September 30, 1928 - July 2, 2016)
 

What is the American Dream?

The American Dream is the opportunity for a good job so if I work hard, I can take care of myself and my family, save for the future, and leave something for my kids. I want to give them some of the advantages I didn’t have growing up so they will have fewer of the “playing without a net” scary times that I overcome. I want the peace of mind of knowing I can take care of myself when I can no longer work.

 

Slowly but Surely

Local governments compete with each other to “attract high paying jobs.” Our tax dollars are given to companies, lowering or even paying overhead. It makes the rich richer increasing income disparity.

5d2 Gratitude Triangles not redlining.jpg
 

The Cause is not the cure

Income disparity puts the dream of home ownership farther out of reach. It has recreated the working class, worsened poverty and is causing our housing crisis.

5db Twice As Fast.jpg
 

The American Dream Died.

We can revive it.

 

investment not advocacy

Let’s invest in historic property as a nonprofit to benefit current neighbors so they can curb their own gentrification. If we combine it with economic development, we’ll target the area of most need, reduce the need for services and close the gap instead of making it worse.

 
He who is talented in leadership holds the world’s dream in his grip.
— Hugh Leon McColl, Jr., Former Chairman and CEO Bank of America