As a 30-year resident of the capital region, I have watched it grow and change immensely. Moving to D.C. to attend Howard University opened my eyes to the many opportunities in this region.
After graduation, my first professional role was in a bank management program made up of individuals from different universities and walks of life. As the only African American in the group, I was offered the same salary as the others: $28,000. While that was equal and fair, the inequities of our personal economics became apparent. With institutional family supports in place, colleagues had the luxury of disposable spending on happy hours and traveled in cars that were gifted to them. Meanwhile, most of my salary was allocated to buying my own car and maintaining daily expenses, including student loans. While I’m not bitter about life’s circumstances, this is just one example of how inequity is experienced.
In my nearly 10 years leading the United Way of the National Capital Area, we have seen…
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