By Tiffany E. Browne
As the federal government shutdown continues, the ripple effects are being felt across communities already bearing the brunt of economic instability. For many Black families, the shutdown is not just a temporary inconvenience; it is another stark reminder of the fragility of economic security in a system where opportunity is not equally distributed. Against this backdrop, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) is calling the nation’s attention to what is at stake, and what must be done.
Building Black Wealth: Policy Pathways to Economic Opportunity and Advancement is the latest installment in CBCF’s Policy for the People series. Hosted by CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR), this virtual summit will gather some of the nation’s most forward-thinking policymakers, economists, advocates, and entrepreneurs for an urgent conversation about how we move from awareness to action in closing the racial wealth gap.
Rooted in the findings of Forward Together: The Black Policy Playbook for an Equitable America, a joint initiative between CBCF and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, this three-part virtual series builds on a shared vision: creating sustainable, long-term pathways for Black economic advancement. Each session will spotlight actionable policy solutions that can help families and communities weather economic uncertainty and secure lasting financial well-being. At its core, this virtual summit is both a continuation of this policy work and a rallying call for bold action.
When we think of the racial wealth gap in the United States, we must see it as a defining measure of how policy decisions shape lives. From inequities in the federal tax code and discriminatory housing practices to limited access to business capital, the systems meant to create opportunity often deepen the divide. Our virtual summit will explore three areas where targeted policy reforms can begin to change this trajectory: reimagining tax policy to promote wealth equity, expanding access to homeownership, and concrete investment in Black entrepreneurship.
Tax policy is a powerful lever for shaping opportunity, yet the current code too often limits it. More than half of all Black children are excluded from the full benefits of the Child Tax Credit, while Black taxpayers are disproportionately audited and less likely to benefit from employer-based retirement plans. As Congress debates the future of the nation’s fiscal priorities amid a shutdown, this conversation could not be more urgent. Equity-centered tax reform is not only about fairness, it’s about giving every American family a genuine chance to build wealth and security across generations.
Housing remains another cornerstone of prosperity. For decades, Black households have faced systemic barriers to homeownership through redlining, biased appraisals, and exclusionary zoning. These practices have left lasting scars that continue to limit wealth accumulation. But with intentional, equity-driven federal policy, housing can shift from being a barrier to being a bridge connecting families to stability, opportunity, and legacy.
Entrepreneurship, too, holds transformative potential. Black-owned businesses contribute billions to the economy each year, yet barriers to capital access persist. Recent funding cuts to programs like the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) threaten to stifle progress just as new generations of Black entrepreneurs are emerging in the digital economy. The Summit will spotlight how innovative policy design, public-private partnerships, and emerging technologies can help dismantle these barriers and open doors to sustained growth.
The conversations taking place during CBCF’s Policy for the People Economic Advancement Virtual Summit are not theoretical; they are essential to shaping an equitable future. At a time when millions of Americans face uncertainty due to the federal shutdown, policies must not only respond to crises but also build resilience that endures beyond them. The wealth gap did not appear overnight, and it will not disappear without deliberate, coordinated, and sustained action.
CBCF’s mission has always been rooted in advancing the global Black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public. This virtual summit embodies that mission in real time, bringing together those who can shape the policies that will define the next generation of Black prosperity.
Join CBCF and a distinguished group of experts for the 2025 Policy for the People Economic Advancement Virtual Summit. Together, we can move from awareness to action, from vision to victory.
Register today at cbcfinc.org/events