The Racial Wealth Gap—Overlooked in the Income Inequality Debate—to

Take Center Stage on Capitol Hill

Summit, New Research, and Policy Recommendations for  

‘Shared Prosperity for All: The Policy Imperative for Closing the Racial Wealth Gap’

MEDIA CONTACT:

Adam Shapiro, Adam.Shapiro@adampr.tv, 202-427-3603

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 17, 2014—An unprecedented gathering of national experts and leaders soon will examine the racial wealth gap that plays a major, but often ignored, role in the current debate about rising U.S. inequality. For every dollar in wealth held by the typical white family in 2009, the typical Hispanic and black families only own six and five cents respectively. If left unchecked, this gap will have profound implications for the U.S. economy as the nation’s demographics shift over the next few decades.

The summit will include the release of a new report highlighting research and policy recommendations from the Closing the Racial Wealth Gap Initiative.

WHO:            Sen. Ben Cardin

Rep. Barbara Lee

Rep. Marcia Fudge

Rep. Elijah Cummings

Rep. Gwen Moore

Bill Bynum, CEO of HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation/Hope Credit Union)

Experts of Color Network

WHAT:          – News conference for release of a report with the latest data on wealth inequality

– 2014 Color of Wealth Summit

WHERE:       Press conference: The House Triangle (Capitol’s East Front)

Summit:

U.S. Capitol Visitors Center

Visitors Auditorium

First St., S.E.

Washington, D.C.

WHEN:          Press conference: April 29, 10:00 a.m.

Summit: May 1, 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Full agenda is available at http://globalpolicysolutions.org/colorofwealthsummit/

                        Note: The CVC requires media to be credentialed. Details about the process are available at this link: http://periodical.house.gov/accreditation.shtml

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Predictions are fun to make because it’s great when you nail them and hardly anyone remembers when you get them wrong. In the interest of transparency I have reviewed the predictions I made in July at the half-way mark of 2013.

On some things I was horribly wrong. I thought the PR/ad push for Obamacare would cause its poll numbers to rise. Oops. I didn’t factor in the web site glitches. “The Fifth Estate” movie was not the big hit of the fall and the weather wasn’t all that bad. I did accurately predict the Winter Olympics would fail to ignite interest but didn’t foresee that it would occur because of Russia’s anti-gay talk. I was too far ahead in thinking Google Glass would be the big holiday gift of the year. It now looks like the product won’t be widely available until this year.

OK, now onto the predictions for the first half of 2014:

-I think “Noah” will be a blockbuster movie. We love biblical stories and weather disasters. Russell Crowe is the star and he is a compelling actor.

-The Democrats will be treading water most of the year. However, the economy is on the rebound in a big way and that will give them a lift as the midterm election approaches.

-The rising economy and the credit for Obama will give Hillary the strength she needs to seriously think about running for President. It will be much later before people realize Hillary had nothing to do with Obama’s economic policies (although she supported them).

-A reality star(s), MSNBC host and Fox News star will all say something incredibly embarrassing that they will be fired for or severely disciplined.

-Commentator Glen Beck will continue to tack to middle of the road points of view. He will pick up a lot of attention for being a reformed, former Fox News star. Some will embrace his change of heart and others will just dismiss him as a charlatan.

-Joe Biden will not be running for President.

-Lady Gaga’s tour will be a bust and Britney Spears will need to cancel her Vegas residency for health reasons.

-I wish I could predict some big changes on the policy front out of D.C. but Congress seems hopelessly deadlocked.

I will let you know in early July how I fared.

Adam Shapiro Public Relations was proud to co-host with Social Driver a reception for Kris Amundson. Kris is the new executive director of the National Association of State Boards of Education. She previously served as a Delegate in the Virginia legislature. One of the highlights of the evening was the appearance and remarks from Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine.

Click on the link to see photos and a video from the evening.

http://adampr.phanfare.com/6269635#imageID=199606231

I recently had a great opportunity to put my media training to use on myself when BBC came calling for an interview. The topic is technology vs. older forms of connecting in business. What do you think? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23887807

Even PR people sometimes need some positive PR. Many thanks to this wonderful non-profit that is making a difference and for their kind words:

http://www.threadsforteens.blogspot.com/2013/07/washington-dc.html