The City Club of Cleveland

login Create an Account

private events
go

Not a Member?

Our members are champions of free speech. Join today!

join

Account Login

login

Forgot Password? Create an Account

Forgot Password

submit Cancel

Update Password

submit

Reclaiming the American Dream

Social Justice

Reclaiming the American Dream

Friday, November 2, 2018
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Add to Favorites

Share This

"We don’t have to pass laws to protect people. We have to have each other enforce the laws we already have." – Ben Hecht

Throughout our history, 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 Hecht, the president and CEO of Living Cities, a collaborative of 18 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. He has seen how economic disparity wreaks havoc with lives and communities - and how local leaders can take action to address the root causes of inequality themselves, rather than waiting for policy changes from above.

In the book, drawing on his decades of working directly with low-income neighborhoods, Hecht presents a series of case studies from throughout the country that focus on real problems and real solutions. From improving educational opportunities to strengthening civic engagement to investing in women and people of color to start businesses, Hecht shows that we know how to create conditions where everyone can prosper, we just need to implement these proven strategies.

Need a tune-up? Ride your bike to the forum and our friends at Velofix will be on-site to help you with any minor tune-up needs!

Want to know who is speaking next at the City Club? Sign up here.

Slice 1 Created with Sketch.

Our New Address

1317 Euclid Avenue, Suite 100
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

The City Club of Cleveland building
x

Photo Gallery

1 of 22