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The Center for Community Wealth (CCW) is transforming economic systems to close the racial wealth gap. As Colorado's leader in community wealth building, we work at both policy and grassroots levels to create lasting change.
In Metro Denver, the racial wealth gap is widening, with white households having 10 times the wealth of Black households and 8 times that of Hispanic households. This disparity perpetuates a cycle of economic inequality for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, resulting in:
Limited access to living-wage jobs, affordable housing, and quality education
The median household income for American Indian and Alaska Natives in Denver is $36,000 – about half the median-average
City and County of Denver. (n.d.). Equity in Denver: How History Impacts Equity Today. ArcGIS StoryMaps
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Chronic stress and health disparities leading to lower life expectancy.
4.8 years - life expectancy difference between White and Black/African Coloradans.
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. (n.d.). Vital Statistics Program
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Chronic stress and health disparities leading to lower life expectancy.
Between 2000 and 2016, the Denver metro area lost over 17,000 Latino households due to displacement.
Urban Displacement Project, 2022
The racial wealth gap has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond economic inequality. At CCW, we see how this disparity impacts housing stability, educational outcomes, business ownership, and community health, creating a cycle of disadvantage that persists across generations, preventing families from building wealth.
As BIPOC families and businesses are displaced, we lose not only neighbors but also the cultural diversity and economic vitality that strengthen our communities.
Get support to grow your business or explore employee ownership.
Partner with us to align your spending with community wealth building.
Invest in transformative economic change.
Invest in transformative economic change
At the Center for Community Wealth, we work at the intersection of three powerful strategies:
Get support to grow your business or explore employee ownership.
Partner with us to align your spending with community wealth building.
Invest in transformative economic change.
Invest in transformative economic change
We create access to opportunities that lead to health and flourishing, guaranteed by equitable policies and institutions. We understand that economic justice requires addressing historical inequities and transforming systems to ensure BIPOC communities can build lasting wealth. When our policies and institutions foster equitable opportunity, all of Colorado thrives.
We operate in mutual accountability and deep relationships with low-income and BIPOC communities. Our strategies are developed with and led by those most impacted by economic inequity, ensuring solutions truly serve community needs. Through authentic partnership and shared power, we create lasting change.
We promote the right of people and communities to lead healthy, economically secure lives and to define their own economic and cultural systems. Through community ownership and control of assets, we help build true economic self-determination. This foundation of community control ensures sustainable prosperity for generations to come.
Targeted support to help your business thrive, with connections to institutional contracts, culturally responsive assistance, and new market opportunities. We understand your unique challenges and offer personalized strategies for sustainable success.
Expert guidance for worker cooperatives and employee ownership. We support you from startup to conversion, providing comprehensive training, technical assistance, and connections to a network of democratic enterprises.
Transform institutional purchasing and hiring practices. We'll help you develop inclusive strategies that support local vendors, create meaningful employment opportunities, and align your economic power with community benefit.
Join us to connect, learn, and take action in building community wealth. From workshops to community discussions, our events inspire collaboration and create pathways for change.
Make a donation to the Center for Community Wealth Building!