The Business Case for Racial Equity

Overview

The W. K. Kellogg Foundation wanted to add an economic case to the social justice argument for racial equity. Altarum produced, then updated a landmark brief connecting greater equity to a stronger US workforce, customer base, and fiscal environment. We also produced briefs specific to Michigan, Texas, Mississippi, New Mexico, and New Orleans.

Approach

Combining data analysis, existing research, and input from expert consultants, we described where we are now in terms of disparities, how we got there, and where we go from here in the domains of housing, education, health, incarceration, and employment/entrepreneurship. We quantified the benefits of reducing inequities in terms of greater earnings, consumer spending, and tax revenues, less spending on health care and incarceration, and greater economic growth.