We often hear about the widening wealth gap in the United States. History reveals that federal policies and discriminatory practices, have contributed to lasting and expanding social and economic inequities. Who holds wealth? How did they acquire it? Can we close the gap and move toward a more financially equitable society?

Let’s take a closer look at the origins of the wealth gap and discuss its legacy, including persistent disparity in contemporary society.

Date: October 27

Time: 9:30 - 10:45am

Location: Gateway Community College, IE Building | Copper Room. This program is cohosted by Maricopa County Community College District –GateWay Community College – Library. It is an in-person event.

About the Speaker:

Matthew C. Whitaker, Ph.D. is the Founder and CEO of Diamond Strategies, LLC., a Better Business Bureau A+ rated, NSDMC certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and trend-setting justice, equity, diversity, inclusion (JEDI), leadership, Interest-Based-Resolution (IBR), and community relations firm. Diamond Strategies is the Winner of the 2022 Best of Tempe (Arizona) Award for Consultants, and has partnered with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, faith-based institutions, and government. Dr. Whitaker is also the Interim Executive Director of the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center in Phoenix. He is an award-winning educator, author, community engagement specialist, motivational speaker, and founder of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, winner of the 2014 Arizona Diversity Leadership Alliance (DLA) Inclusive Workplace Award, at Arizona State University, where was a professor of history for 15 years. Dr. Whitaker earned a B.A. in Sociology, B.A. in History, and an M.A. in History, at Arizona State University. He earned a Ph.D. in History, with honors, at Michigan State University, and recently completed an Executive Certification Program in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Cornell University.