The deliberate devaluation of Black-majority cities stems from a longstanding legacy of discriminatory policies. The lack of investment in Black homes, family structures, businesses, schools, and voters has had far-reaching, negative economic and social effects. White supremacy and privilege are deeply ingrained into American public policy, and remain pervasive forces that hinder meaningful investment in Black communities. 

The Boston Foundation and the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program mark the release of a new book, Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities. Author and Brookings fellow Andre M. Perry will discuss the historical basis and present-day implications – particularly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic – of the devaluation of Black communities. Through profiles of places like his hometown, Wilkinsburg, Pa., as well as Detroit, Birmingham, Ala., New Orleans, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., Perry will highlight the important themes covered in his book, including the social, economic, and political assets of Black-majority cities as a means of empowerment that must be understood to build Black prosperity. 

Featuring

Andre Perry, Author & Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program at The Brookings Institution
and
Orlando Watkins, Vice President for Programs, The Boston Foundation

In Conversation With

Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, Esq., Executive Director, Lawyers for Civil Rights
 
Soni Gupta, Director of Neighborhoods & Housing, The Boston Foundation

Glynn Lloyd, Executive Director, Foundation for Business Equity