October 14 at 7:15 am PDT/10:15 am EDT

Thousands are dead and millions are sick from an unprecedented global crisis, COVID-19. At the same time the US is roiled by civil unrest stemming from longstanding abusive treatment of African Americans by police departments and legal systems, as well as structural racism. A high prevalence of underlying health issues makes it difficult for racial minorities to withstand COVID, but the elusiveness of the American Dream for African Americans contributed to socioeconomic instability long before the current pandemic. According to a McKinsey Global Institute Analysis, fully 6 percent of the US GDP could be enhanced if structural barriers to minority wealth creation were lifted. As demographics shift and the economy evolves, minorities must be enlisted in driving prosperity. Panelists will explore the routes public and private stakeholders could take to meet challenges and facilitate solutions to benefit minority businesses and equitably unlock the next trillion dollars of US productivity.

Moderator

Van Jones
CEO, REFORM Alliance; Founding Partner, Obsidian Investment Partners, and CNN host

Speakers

Mellody Hobson
Co-CEO and President, Ariel Investments

Catherine Mann
Global Chief Economist, Citi

Robert Smith
Founder, Chairman and CEO, Vista Equity Partners