LesLeigh D. Ford

Our research revealed that Black households face criminal legal system fines and fees at the highest rates, potentially exacerbating racial income and wealth disparities. Fines and fees are rarely scaled to people’s ability to pay them. And not being able to afford fines or fees can have severe consequences, including interest and additional penalties, suspension of one’s driver’s license, and jail time.

Between 1992 and 2022, both white and Black families in the United States doubled their median household wealth—a clear sign of national economic growth. However, in those same 30 years, the wealth gap between Black and white families also doubled. This imbalance in wealth building reflects a crucial fact about the country’s state of financial inequality: Wealth begets wealth.

Across the country, local leaders are driving bold, data-driven strategies to build inclusive economies and advance Black prosperity. A key pillar of this work is supporting Black-owned small businesses through expanded access to capital, increased capacity, and targeted policy changes.