Freakonomics Radio 538. A Radically Simple Way to Boost a Neighborhood
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Apr 6, 2023 
Roger Hochschild, CEO of Discover Financial Services, and Watise Gathings, a senior manager at the company, join Harvard economist Nathan Hendren to discuss impactful community initiatives. They delve into the launch of a call center in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood, aimed at creating job opportunities for Black residents. The conversation highlights the challenges of corporate responsibility, the significance of employment in low-income areas, and personal narratives illustrating the transformative power of local jobs. Empowerment through leadership and community ties is a key theme.
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DEI Disconnect
- Discover CEO Roger Hochschild noticed a disconnect between corporate DEI rhetoric and actions.
- Companies often prioritize locations with existing advantages, neglecting underserved communities.
Headquarters Location
- Discover's headquarters is in Riverwoods, a typical affluent suburb.
- Hochschild contrasts this with the needs of underserved communities.
Chicago's Mobility Gap
- Chicago has very low upward mobility rates, especially for low-income Black males.
- Economist Nathan Hendren points out their low employment rates and earnings.