Remaking the Economy: A Policy Vision from the Movement for Black Lives

What are the economic policies the nation needs to build thriving communities in which Black Americans can thrive? As Amara Enyia wrote in the introduction to a recent NPQ series on The Vision for Black Lives: An Economic Policy Agenda, “the Black radical tradition has long been clear on the importance of economic justice.”

This webinar conversation builds on the articles in that series, taking a deep look at what the elements of that agenda look like. Participating in the conversation are the following people:

Temi F. Bennett is co-CEO of iF, A Foundation of Radical Possibility, based in Washington, DC.
Amara Enyia is director for policy and research at the Movement for Black Lives, based in Chicago.
Rosemary Ndubuizu is assistant professor of African American studies at Georgetown University and a volunteer organizer with ONE-DC, based in Washington, DC.
Rahel Teka is director of strategic communications at the Participatory Budgeting Project, based in New York City.
Richard Wallace is founder and executive director of Equity and Transformation (EAT), based in Chicago.

Among the many topics the webinar explores are the following:

What is an economic policy vision of the Movement for Black Lives?
What are the Black radical roots of today’s economic justice vision?
What is the philanthropic case for reparations?
What have been the effects of the war on drugs and mass incarceration on the wellbeing of Black communities? How can public policy compensate for the damage done?
How can participatory budgeting lead to more effective community-based decision-making regarding the allocation of public resources?
What does a Black radical economic vision for housing justice look like?
What policy changes are needed at the level of the federal government?
What narrative changes are needed to advance the policy vision?

Resources

Dr. Amara Enyia and Temi F. Bennett, “The Case for Reparations in Philanthropy,” NPQ, February 14, 2024.

Dr. Amara Enyia, “The Vision for Black Lives: An Economic Policy Agenda,” NPQ, February 7, 2024.

Dr. Amara Enyia, “How to Advance Housing Affordability—The Ongoing Struggle,” NPQ, March 6, 2024.

Shanelle Mathews, How to Eliminate the Myth of Meritocracy and Build the World We Deserve, NPQ, March 13, 2024.

Rahel Teka, “Making Participatory Budgeting Work: The Equity Imperative,” NPQ, February 28, 2024.

Rich Wallace, “Why Reparations Can Counter the Legacy of a 50-Year ‘War on Drugs’” NPQ, February 21, 2024.

About the authors

Temi F. Bennett

Temi Bennett, Esq. is co-CEO of if, A Foundation for Radical Possibility. She is a leader at the intersection of philanthropy, nonprofit management, racial justice, business development, and strategic communications.

Dr. Amara Enyia

Dr. Amara Enyia is the Director for Policy and Research at the Movement for Black Lives, President of Global Black, and Senior Fellow at the Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy at The New School.

Rosemary Ndubuizu

Rosemary Ndubuizu is assistant professor of African American studies at Georgetown University, based in Washington, DC.

Rahel Teka

Rahel Teka leads the communications team at the Participatory Budgeting Project, a national organization that provides education, advocacy, and implementation support for community-led decision-making across the United States. She is an organizer and facilitator based in Oakland, CA. Teka is passionate about building power, storytelling, and Ethiopian food.

Rich Wallace

Rich Wallace is the founder and executive director of Equity and Transformation (EAT), a non-profit, community-led organization founded by and for post-incarcerated people to uplift the voices and power of Black people engaged in the informal economy.

Steve Dubb

Steve Dubb is senior editor of economic justice at NPQ, where he writes articles (including NPQ’s Economy Remix column), moderates Remaking the Economy webinars, and works to cultivate voices from the field and help them reach a broader audience. Prior to coming to NPQ in 2017, Steve worked with cooperatives and nonprofits for over two decades, including twelve years at The Democracy Collaborative and three years as executive director of NASCO (North American Students of Cooperation). In his work, Steve has authored, co-authored, and edited numerous reports; participated in and facilitated learning cohorts; designed community building strategies; and helped build the field of community wealth building. Steve is the lead author of Building Wealth: The Asset-Based Approach to Solving Social and Economic Problems (Aspen 2005) and coauthor (with Rita Hodges) of The Road Half Traveled: University Engagement at a Crossroads, published by MSU Press in 2012. In 2016, Steve curated and authored Conversations on Community Wealth Building, a collection of interviews of community builders that Steve had conducted over the previous decade.

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