Economic Equity works to overcome the lingering effects of redlining, help communities of color build wealth, and ensure that our financial system works for all.

Making Equity Real: Our 2019 Agenda for the California Legislature

May 15, 2019

The California Legislature is well into its 2019 session, considering hundreds of bills as well as the state budget. In my first post as Interim President, I’d like to update you on how we’re making equity real in the legislature.…
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Trump Wants to Make Redlining Easier

May 10, 2019

The Progressive By Preeti Vissa Kristipati The administration is moving to cut public access to information on how, and to whom, banks loan money. Redlining – the practice of denying loans to home buyers and others based on their race…
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SB 50 and a Comprehensive Approach to California’s Housing Crisis

May 2, 2019

As nearly every Californian knows, we are in the midst of a dire housing crisis. Thanks to years of steady population growth and low rates of housing construction, the supply of housing is nowhere near enough to keep up with…
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Oakland Can Step Up Support for Diverse Small Businesses, New Report Says

April 18, 2019

Small Business Advisory Group Offers Detailed Recommendations Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Director, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell) OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – As Oakland undergoes rapid development and increased gentrification, small businesses – especially those owned by people of color – find…
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Advancing Racial Equity in the City of Oakland’s Small Business Ecosystem

April 18, 2019

The City of Oakland released its 2018-2020 Economic Development Strategy with a strong focus on entrepreneurship to build wealth in local communities of color. To support the strategy’s desired racial equity outcomes, The Greenlining Institute founded the Small Business Advisory…
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Economic growth Eludes East Oakland, and Business Owners Ask City for More Help

April 2, 2019

San Francisco Chronicle By Sarah Ravani Every morning, Howard Oliver walks a few steps from the front door of his East Oakland home to get to his office. His garage — once used by his father to entertain his golf…
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City of Oakland Unanimously Passes Resolution Backing Community Reinvestment Act

February 12, 2019

For the first time in 40 years, the federal government could weaken a little-known but important law encouraging bank lending, services and investments in underserved communities: the Community Reinvestment Act. Advocates like The Greenlining Institute do not expect changes proposed…
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House Diversity Panel a Doubled-Edged Sword for Banks

January 7, 2019

American Banker By Neil Haggerty A new House subcommittee planned by Democrats to focus on diversity in banking and financial inclusion is getting high marks not just from public interest groups but also industry groups that say it could foster…
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Greenlining Strongly Opposes Proposed Rulemaking on Public Charge

November 27, 2018

The Greenlining Institute issued comments strongly opposing the Department of Homeland Security’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Public Charge. The proposed rule would expand the list of factors considered in whether immigrants applying for green cards would be “public charges,”…
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Here’s What It Takes to Create a Product that Actually Helps the Unbanked

November 26, 2018

Bankrate By Amanda Dixon There’s no point in creating a product or service targeting the unbanked  — unless it’s designed with their specific needs in mind. Data recently in October by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. indicates that 6.5 percent…
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