Questions Fly Over $400 Million Donation. But They’re the Wrong Questions

Last week, author Malcolm Gladwell stirred up the 1% hornet’s nest by sarcastically calling out a hedge fund manager, John Paulson, for his $400 million donation to Harvard University. The billionaire’s donation to the richest university in the world will benefit the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Upon hearing the news, Gladwell, the New Yorker writer and “Tipping Point” author,Continue reading “Questions Fly Over $400 Million Donation. But They’re the Wrong Questions”

Banning Racial Profiling is Long Overdue

It didn’t get much media attention, but the U.S. Congress banned the use of federal funds for racial profiling last week by voice vote. This adds to the existing federal rules which ban federal law enforcement agencies and joint task forces from racial profiling (excluding airport security. We have our eye on you TSA!). OfContinue reading “Banning Racial Profiling is Long Overdue”

Ban the Box: Two Big Wins for the Fair Hiring Campaign in Florida

Last week, small business owners, activists, and faith leaders gathered on the steps of the Daytona Beach City Hall to announce the City of Daytona’s plan to “ban the box” and open up opportunities to all applicants by removing the criminal conviction question from city job applications. The effort, commonly known as “ban the box”Continue reading “Ban the Box: Two Big Wins for the Fair Hiring Campaign in Florida”

Los Angeles is Biggest City to Enact $15 Minimum Wage

Los Angeles has become the biggest city in the nation to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, Los Angeles City Council members voted 13-1 today to more than double the federal wage by 2020. Los Angeles City Council members signaled two weeks ago that they would raise the minimum wage, and tookContinue reading “Los Angeles is Biggest City to Enact $15 Minimum Wage”

States Must Do More to Support Workers and Families

“Get a Better Job!” “Get an Education!” “Pull Yourself Up by Your Bootstraps!” Too often when workers struggle to make ends meet, these are the messages they hear. Unfortunately, these messages set unrealistic expectations. Rather than creating an environment that helps ensure working families can succeed, too many states set up systems that that workContinue reading “States Must Do More to Support Workers and Families”