In This Newsletter

Engagious x Rich Thau Collaboration
What We’re Reading
Celebrating Black Business Month
Seeing the Light: A Construction Update

Dear Friends,

With another summer coming to an end, many of us are spending precious time with family or taking time away to create the space to refresh, rest, and recharge. That fallow period is as important as the work itself: A recent survey shows that balance, flexibility, and purpose are increasingly important to the American Dream. As these ideals have evolved throughout history, it has been clear that they are less about accumulating wealth and more about building “a good life” for yourself and your family.

This evolution includes deliberate decision-making and prioritization—a process of defining one’s purpose. We enjoyed this seven-step guide to finding your life’s purpose and invite you to reflect on yours.

One of the themes we are developing around our K–12 educational programming revolves around purpose-driven learning, a concept that unlocks our innate desire to learn. Studies show having a sense of purpose can lead to a stronger sense of goals and aspirations, higher job satisfaction, and even improved memory and long-term health. People with a sense of purpose report having a desire to help others and contribute to society's well-being. It can be formed early as a lifelong lens to achieve our dreams or develop, organically or intentionally, at a later stage of life. So it’s never too late to reflect on, or update, your sense of purpose.

As we move toward the fall, we look forward to continuing our mission to empower individuals to achieve their dreams with purpose and meaning.

Engagious x Rich Thau Collaboration

A big part of our work at MCAAD is listening to the views of people across the country. We recently worked with noted pollster Rich Thau and focus group firm Engagious to explore perspectives on the American Dream with a focus group of swing voters in Minnesota. The results were fascinating—the wide range of definitions for, and perceived challenges to, the American Dream underscore the need for inclusive approaches. As MCAAD Executive Director Rachel Goslins noted in the article, “The definition of the American Dream has evolved throughout this nation’s history, and has always been filtered through personal and lived experience. The voices of these swing voters remind us of how important broadly accessible pathways for social and economic mobility are for its continued vitality. There is much to be grateful for but also much work to be done.”

Reading What We’re Reading

We’re not the only ones wondering what new dimensions the American Dream is developing—a recent survey shows that 54 percent of respondents defined it as “feeling happy in life,” and 49 percent said it involved “freedom to follow my passions.” And, perhaps most remarkably, 62 percent noted that they're “very confident” that their lifetime goals are within reach. Interestingly, these findings sit alongside ambitious retirement finance goals uncovered by a different survey.

Celebrating Celebrating Black Business Month

August is a time to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and contributions of Black-owned businesses across the nation. Black Business Month is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made toward equity and access to opportunities. According to the US Small Business Administration, there are 3.2 million Black-owned businesses in the US, and we encourage everyone to support and uplift these businesses. Plan your next shopping trip to include a visit to a Black-owned establishment, and read up on the relevancy of Black-owned businesses in the current climate.

Seeing the Light: A Construction Update

The original skylight in our Riggs Bank Hall is one of the Center’s most striking architectural features. This stunning glass was covered during World War II to block light in case of bombing attacks. It has been built over and remained shrouded ever since. As part of the revitalization of the Hall to become the centerpiece of our new Visitors Center, the 60-foot glass ceiling will again be opened to natural light for the first time in almost 80 years. Before that happens, though, we’ve added a unique feature to further update this architectural highlight: a new, glass-enclosed sixth floor with panoramic views of the Treasury, White House, and nearby monuments.

This month, our crews completed the installation of the new sixth-floor skylight, weighing over 50,000 pounds, the culmination of a year-long installation process. This will sit above, and protect, the skylight below as we begin to uncover it. Let the light shine in!