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Reclaiming the American Dream

For decades, the promise of the American Dream often united Americans. It was the principle the country was founded on - that everyone, no matter their birth or station in life,  had the opportunity for upward mobility. While our country has never fully lived up to this grand ideal, many would agree that today, for the majority of Americans, the dream has started to crumble. Over the last several years, discussions of our country's economic troubles, rising inequality, and vast racial disparities have dominated the national discourse. 

Ben Hect, the president and CEO of Living Cities, a collaborative of eighteen of the world’s leading foundations and financial institutions working together to fight poverty and close the racial gaps in income and wealth in America’s cities, authored the book Reclaiming the American Dream: Proven Solutions for Creating Economic Opportunity for All. The book shows how communities across the country are rekindling the promise of the American Dream by improving educational opportunities, strengthening civic engagement, and providing a ladder to economic security.

Ben Hecht

President and CEO, Living Cities, and author, Reclaiming the American Dream: Proven Solutions for Creating Economic Opportunity for All

Rick Jackson

ideastream® Senior Host/Producer

Robyn Minter Smyers

President, Board of Directors, The City Club of Cleveland

Natalia Garcia is a digital producer for the education team at Ideastream Public Media.