There is ‘segmentation’ when it comes to access to thriving wage careers, says Courtenay Barton, program officer of racial equity, Allstate Foundation.

“Studies have indicated with great fidelity that if we do not close the income gaps we will have worse economic outcomes for everybody. It’s not just a matter of the people who did not make certain choices,” says Barton. “Our economy would be stronger and everyone would be doing better if we closed the income gaps and wealth gaps in our communities.”

WorkingNation sat down with Barton at SXSW EDU 2023 in Austin.

She explains, “The Allstate Foundation does a lot of research to figure out who’s doing the very best work in the field with a goal of closing the racial wealth gap and the racial income gap.”

“We are reaching out to organizations that do job preparation, organizations that are leading in changing the narrative about the reasons behind the racial wealth gap. We’re also reaching out to organizations that are providing access to capital for social entrepreneurs. We provide them with grant support, general operating support, usually to help them scale up their work to provide really important and vital resources that a lot of other foundations aren’t providing.”

Learn more about the Allstate Foundation.