The Opportunity Index: A Solution-Based Framework to Dismantle the Racial Wealth Gap - Hardcover

by Gavin Lewis (Author)

A bold and fresh perspective unravelling the economics of racial inequality

In The Opportunity Index, BlackRock Managing Director and co-founder of the #Talkaboutblack movement, Gavin Lewis, skillfully plots the origins of the racial wealth gap and its impact on the inequalities faced by the Black community today. Weaving a personal and at times moving narrative through some of the most disruptive events of our time, he offers a blueprint for businesses and individuals to understand the risks and opportunities presented by inequality and issues an urgent call to action.

The Opportunity Index also presents:

• A root cause-oriented and solutions-focused exploration of the racial wealth gap and its role in social, health, and opportunity inequality
• A perspective that moves beyond the typical workplace discussion to explore the deeper truths about society and the role of capitalism
• The lessons learned from the #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, and climate change movements and how these provide case studies for real and lasting change

An eye-opening and insightful treatment of what equity and access mean in the context of international finance, The Opportunity Index will earn a place in the libraries of finance professionals, business leaders, teachers, academics, community leaders, diversity, equity, and inclusion experts, and anyone else with an interest in racial, social, and economic fairness around the world.

Front Jacket

While the world is much wealthier than it was 100, 50, or even 20 years ago, it is no secret that this wealth has not been distributed equally. Importantly, a racial wealth gap between Black and white communities persists, with Black people having significantly lower net worths than their white counterparts.

In The Opportunity Index, BlackRock Managing Director and co-founder of the #Talkaboutblack movement, Gavin Lewis, insightfully explains the origins of the racial wealth gap and its impact on the inequities facing the Black community today. He weaves a personal and moving narrative with a discussion of some of the most disruptive events of our time, offering a roadmap for businesses and people seeking to understand the risks and opportunities presented by inequality.

The book is an urgent call to action to address the root causes of the racial wealth gap. Lewis outlines the effects of this wealth gap on society, health, and opportunity and provides actionable solutions to address them. The author's perspective goes beyond the typical workplace discussions and explores deeper truths about society and the role of capitalism in perpetuating inequality.

You'll discover lessons from the Black Lives Matter, Me Too, and climate change movements, and how these forms of social activism can provide case studies for real and lasting change.

A startlingly insightful treatment of what equity and access mean in the context of international finance at the highest levels, The Opportunity Index will earn a spot on the bookshelves of finance professionals, business leaders, teachers, community leaders, diversity, equity, and inclusion professionals, and anyone invested in a more fair and just world.

Back Jacket

PRAISE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY INDEX

"I've never been more desperately eager to endorse a book, yet I have never found it harder to write or articulate the actual endorsement. And there is a good reason for this: The Opportunity Index is such a multifaceted, intellectually robust yet curious, meticulously well-researched, historically in-depth, culturally rich, and refreshingly written book that it is painfully hard to do it the justice it truly deserves."
--NELS ABBEY, writer, broadcaster, and founder of the Black Writers Guild

"The complexity of creating equal societies is tackled brilliantly by Gavin and is a must-read for those who want future generations, essentially my children and their own, to not have to be held to any different standards. The Opportunity Index doesn't lift the lid on what causes racial discrimination (many have focused on that for years) but instead focuses on the hope left in Pandora's box with an optimism for how we move forward in tackling inequality, institutional cultural bias, and planning for a world where there is a higher standard than simply the absence of discrimination being celebrated."
--TIM CAMPBELL, MBE, BBC's The Apprentice, and Business Executive

"Masterfully crisscrossing from personal narrative to the economics of racial inequality, Gavin brings us solutions for racial, social, and economic fairness around the world. The Opportunity Index is a must-read for all of us, whether we're on the tube or classroom, C-Suite or in faith communities, and especially for those who believe that equality is achievable."
--REVEREND KEITH MAGEE, Professor of Cultural Justice, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose

Author Biography

GAVIN LEWIS is Managing Director at BlackRock and co-founder of the #Talkaboutblack movement which highlights the challenges Black people face in the finance industry and in society at large. He also launched the #IAM campaign and is passionate about diversifying the finance industry.