The decline of the American middle class and the frayed social contract has become an increasingly urgent topic, as our nation’s economic and social divisions fuel widespread discontent. With incomes stagnating and jobs that pay a living wage in sharp decline, anger and resentment are palpable. For America’s working families, the experience of work and wealth is intertwined in the daily challenges of survival: keeping a roof over one’s head, getting food on the table, paying the bills, and saving for the future. This panel discussion grapples with one of the biggest challenges facing our nation: how to restore widespread economic prosperity to families and communities all across America.
This event features Alex Mazer (Founding Partner, Common Wealth), Alison Omens (Managing Director, JUST Capital), Andrea Levere (President, Prosperity Now), Sarah Keh (Vice President of Corporate Giving, Prudential Financial, Inc.), Todd Greene (Executive Director, Atlanta University Center Consortium, Inc.), Maureen Conway (Executive Director, The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program), Ida Rademacher (Executive Director, The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program), and Rhett Buttle (Senior Fellow, The Aspen Institute).
This event is part of Reconnecting Work and Wealth, a joint set of work led by the Economic Opportunities Program and the Financial Security Program. Income and assets are both essential building blocks of household economic security and opportunity, and are intertwined in the economic lives of households. Together EOP and FSP are exploring how critical changes in recent decades are reshaping both labor and financial markets and leaving working families more vulnerable. Through publications, public convenings, and intensive dialogues with leaders in industry, academia, philanthropy, government, and nonprofit organizations, the Aspen Institute is advancing the conversation on how to ensure that hard work can lead to economic stability and mobility in today’s economy. Learn more at as.pn/workandwealth.
The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. For more information, visit our website at as.pn/eop. Learn about new events and activities by joining our mailing list (as.pn/eopmail) and following us on social media (as.pn/eopsocial).

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