HAIRSTON: Growing up in a home that included my mother and one brother, I learned many life lessons. Watching my mother continuously work two and sometimes three jobs was normal life for me. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized that from all of the life lessons learned in our low income household, financial literacy was not one of them. In my journey to seek generational wealth so did a rising devotion to teaching financial literacy to Blacks and Brown communities.
FORD: I grew up with my mother only and two sisters. We were low income, free and reduced lunch status. Despite deficit-oriented stereotypes held about people growing up like us, we all went to college and earned graduate degrees and are fully employed. Unfortunately, one thing we never learned was financial literacy. This has haunted us and far too many Black (and Brown) people - doing well financially but not accruing wealth. Knowing the trials and tribulations of poverty and race - classism and racism, I am committed to advocacy for this group. Soon, I will be teaching a course on working with children and youth who live in poverty.
We suspect that some readers have also shared our lived experiences and angst about general wealth - not just income but leaving a legacy. We both are dedicated advocates for all people who live in poverty, food deserts, and other deeply challenging situations.
Why are Blacks most Likely to be Low Income?
The answer to this complex question is simple - systemic racism is a reality. The FBI Hate Crime reports show that most bias/hate crimes are against racial and ethnic groups. Note that for 2023, Blacks were the most targeted racial group; of 48,470 race-based crimes, most (14,615; 30%) were against Blacks. This pattern exists most years. 
Dr. Donna Y. Ford
Even when employed, Blacks – through NO fault of their own – are often the working poor. Statista’s figure (below) further illustrates our concerns. This is not the same as the working class. We know the life, lived experiences, of both —low income and unemployed, and low income and employed. One organization delves deep into both fiscal challenges this way:
