Decolonizing Wealth: Confronting Systemic Barriers, Creating Lasting Change

Income inequality in the U.S. has reached its highest level in over 50 years, making the American Dream increasingly unattainable—especially for Black Americans. One major factor is “predatory governance,” the racist policies that have systematically undermined Black homeownership and generational wealth. Property law scholar Bernadette Atuahene explores this in Plundered, which illustrates how race influences the ability to pass down wealth. The financial industry also plays a key role; journalist Emily Flitter’s The White Wall exposes corruption and discriminatory policies in banking and insurance that continue to harm Black communities. How can we break this cycle? Edgar Villanueva’s Decolonizing Wealth offers Indigenous wisdom to address inequality in philanthropy and finance. Moderated by Cheryl Fabio, Executive Director of The Sarah Webster Fabio Center For Justice, this panel presents compelling, evidence-based narratives on structural injustice while challenging the harmful myths of personal irresponsibility projected onto disadvantaged communities