Stay The Course

April 4, 2025

Community Financial Resources had the opportunity to join 140 philanthropic and social sector leaders at Asset Funders Network’s California Philanthropy: A Roadmap for Repair conference in Oakland, California. The gathering centered on a shared commitment to advancing economic justice and racial equity.

Given today’s unpredictable political climate, it was no surprise that attendees spent time discussing how to stay grounded and effective amid the noise. The message was clear: don’t get distracted, don’t lose heart, and stay the course. What this conference made evident is that there is a growing community of change makers and co-creators who are not only committed to economic justice, but also to the deep, ongoing work of repair and systems transformation.

Every breakout session offered valuable insights, but one session in particular deeply resonated with the work we do at Community Financial Resources. Titled, “Reparative Philanthropy & Wealth: Closing the Wealth Divide – and Keeping it Closed,” grounded attendees in the sobering reality of the Black-White wealth gap in the United States—without intervention, it would take Black families 228 years to achieve wealth parity with White households.

Narrowing the racial wealth gap is not just a matter of equity—it’s a necessary step toward a more just and sustainable economy for everyone. The persistent divide in wealth between White households and households of color, especially Black and Indigenous families, reflects generations of exclusion from asset-building opportunities like homeownership, education, and business capital. Addressing this gap requires more than individual financial literacy—it demands structural change.

When asked about reducing the wealth gap at the scale of the problem, the panel speakers made insightful suggestions:

Be more innovative
Practice patience, trust, strategy, and joy
Invest in narrative change work
Build a portfolio of financial policies
Provide financial interventions
Stabilize incomes
Keep open lines of communication

At Community Financial Resources, these insights affirm and strengthen our ongoing commitment to advancing economic justice through bold, community-centered solutions. From guaranteed income pilots to equitable financial products and tools, we know that meaningful change requires not only repairing past harm but also reimagining and rebuilding the systems that shape financial opportunity today. As we continue to collaborate with partners across the country, we are inspired by the collective energy and momentum of this conference—a reminder that closing the wealth gap is possible when we lead with innovation, trust, and a shared vision for equity. When we center financial equity, we don’t just uplift marginalized communities–we lay the foundation for shared prosperity.