Created Equal: How do we define prosperity?

Detroit used to be more prosperous than it is now. It once led the country in Black homeownership. But Black homeownership is still woefully lagging behind white Americans nationwide, according to U.S. Census data.

(Source St. Louis Federal Reserve Census Date: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1hQnn)

There are many efforts underway throughout state government to assist Michigan residents in need of financial support, including grant programs that help bolster nonprofits working to fight poverty throughout the state.

But do these programs really lead to greater prosperity in Detroit and across the state? Kim Trent, deputy director for prosperity for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), thinks so. 

She says a combination of intersecting inequalities in education, homeownership, healthcare and food access are all opportunities for nonprofits to improve prosperity in Detroit. 

Trent joined Stephen Henderson on Created Equal on Tuesday to talk about the state’s anti-poverty program and its impact on Detroiters.

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Guest:

Kim Trent is the deputy director for prosperity for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, (LEO). She says Michigan was once a magnet for prosperity.

“I think people forget that in the 20th century, Michigan was a top-tier state when it came to wages, when it came to generational wealth (for some people),” she said. “When I was a child, every adult I knew owned a house, and it’s not like I knew particularly wealthy people.”

Listen to Created Equal with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.