Race and poverty: Connecting disparities, disasters and equitable recovery

Pre-existing disparities significantly impact one’s ability to recover after a disaster. These disparities are interconnected.

For example, studies have shown that climate disasters disproportionately affect communities of color and other marginalized populations within the United States. These groups are more likely to live near toxic waste sites, experience higher exposure to air pollution and toxins in the water, and are more vulnerable to extreme weather events, including heat waves.

At the same time, research shows that the wealth gap between communities of color and white residents widens after a disaster. The bigger the disaster, the greater this wealth disparity. Historic discriminatory policies such as redlining also play a role in reducing communities’ ability to obtain a full recovery.

To mark National Poverty in America Awareness Month, this webinar explored racialized poverty and its role in disasters and the equitable recovery of affected communities.

CDP’s Director of Learning and Partnerships, Tanya Gulliver-Garcia, moderated the discussion and panelists included:

• Allison Cormier, Sales Implementation Manager, MoCaFi
• Ashleigh Gardere, Executive Vice President, PolicyLink
• Kelli King-Jackson, Principal and Founder, Kelli King-Jackson, LLC

This webinar was co-sponsored by Giving Compass, United Philanthropy Forum, Philanthropy New York, Council on Foundations, Alliance magazine, Funders Together to End Homelessness and National VOAD.

Please see the slide deck, read the recap on Giving Compass and watch the webinar recording to learn more:

Resources mentioned during the webinar

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash