COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — Vice President Kamala Harris addressed a room full of hundreds of Black entrepreneurs and lawmakers Monday. It marked the kickoff of a nationwide economic opportunity tour, in which Harris focused on addressing historical minority inequities over the years. Her discussion on stage centered on building wealth among Black communities and shrinking the racial wealth gap.
Harris said she and President Joe Biden have worked to better connect underserved communities through the Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act. Harris noted an increase in minority-owned small business investment, as well as the forgiveness of millions of dollars in student loan debt and medical debt.
"We have to strengthen the economy of the community as a whole, and everyone in society benefits," Harris said. “We understand you can’t truly invest in the strength of our nation if you don’t pay attention to diversity, equity and inclusion.”
There's also been investment in future projects like the Stitch over the Connector in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta. The project recently received around $158 million in federal funding and is expected to be completed by 2029.
"We are in the process of putting a lot of money in the streets of America for this growth, and we want to make sure everyone has access to the opportunity to take advantage of the contracts and the work that's being generated by this policy push," Harris said.
During her trip to Atlanta, Harris made a stop at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs. She said efforts are being made to make homeownership more affordable for those in need. In 2023, homeownership dropped to a historic low for Black Americans. Harris said there would need to be public-private partnerships and creativity in the form of increasing real estate supply and changing zoning rules to accommodate the demand for housing. Prices steadily increased in the wake of the pandemic and interest rates have stayed high, making homeownership difficult to attain for many Americans.
Some Atlanta voters have expressed concerns that the current economy, as it affects their individual wallets, is not working as it should. Jasmine Drummond said about half of her friends and family are doing well, while the other half are struggling to pay monthly bills and expenses.
"The cost of living is too high, gas, groceries," Drummond said. "I feel like prices are just going up and up. I don't think President Biden has really made an impact how I was expecting him to. I was expecting a little more, so I'm kind of a little disappointed."
Quimer Carson said his bank account is holding up, but he advocated for raising the minimum wage and believes the Biden administration could do more to put more money in everyday Americans' pockets.
"It’s ok at the moment, but inflation is killing us as far as citizens and the economy right now," Carson said. "I feel we could do better with job income.”