ECPCA & EPIC Co-Host "Baby Bonds in Action: From California to the Nation’s Capital"

To me wealth means being able to take care of your family and culture for generations.

Kola, Oakland Community Member & Small Business Owner

February 22, 2024 – Oakland was filled with energy, community and all things Baby Bonds during our forum “Baby Bonds in Action: From California to the Nation’s Capital” in partnership with End Poverty in California (EPIC) on February 22, 2024. Check out our livestream!

Baby Bonds are a financial investment made when a child is born. They are available for that child to use for wealth-building tools as an adult. We know that Baby Bonds are a policy solution that helps level the playing field and bridge the racial wealth gap.

California State Senator Nancy Skinner speaks at “Baby Bonds in Action”

In California, we are creating the nation’s largest Baby Bonds program through a racial equity framework, allowing funds to be used for any wealth-building activity someone chooses for themselves.

As community member Jala Abner stated, “we continuously emphasize the need for financial literacy amongst the recipients of Baby Bonds…but what can we do to reduce the statistical or institutional discrimination that takes place within financial institutions?” We must name systemic racism & the gaping racial wealth gap to end poverty.

Panel discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and spoken word (check out Gia McLean’s poem below!) filled the day with joy, collaboration, and inspiration. Thank you to our wonderful lineup from John Burton Advocates for Youth, Liberation in a Generation, Parent Voices CA, the University of Michigan, The New School, The JPMorgan Chase Policy Center, the offices of the California, Washington, and Connecticut State Treasurer, End Poverty in California (EPIC), and GRACE/End Child Poverty California (ECPCA). Thank you to Senator Nancy Skinner, Mayor Michael Tubbs and Governor Newsom’s office for the words of support.

We had the great fortune and pleasure of hearing from youth leaders during our “Investing in Our Future: Youth Voices on Baby Bonds” panel. Youth leader Amaris Gilbert said, “It’s exhausting trying to talk over people who are trying to speak for you.” Gilbert and her peers deserve the chance to build their financial future, regardless of their family’s economic security.

Left to right: HOPE Program Executive Director Kasey O’Connor, Mayor and EPIC founder Michael Tubbs, Youth Leader Ameris Gilbert, Youth Leader Janessa Smith, Senator Nancy Skinner, Youth Leader Marta Rivas, John Burton Advocates for Youth Youth advocate mentor Cory Van Felden, President & CEO of GRACE/End Child Poverty CA Shimica Gaskins.

The data are clear about the power of Baby Bonds to close the racial wealth gap. We will continue to reach out to impacted families for enrollment in California’s program, and advocate for implementation of Baby Bonds. Thank you to all who joined us for a powerful day of action and community.

Big thanks to all of our wonderful speakers and moderators!

Jenessa Smith, Youth Leader
Marta Rivas, Youth Leader
Alysia Olivo, Youth Leader
Amaris Gilbert, Youth Leader
Cory Van Felden, John Burton Advocates for Youth
Senator Nancy Skinner
Gia Mclean, Parent Voices CA
Jose Cordon, Poet Laureate of Antioch
Dr. Darrick Hamilton, The New School
Dr. William Elliot, University of Michigan
David Radcliffe, The New School
Solana Rice, Liberation in a Generation
Devon Gray, End Poverty in California
Alexandra Cawthorne Gaines, JPMorgan Chase Policy Center
Jesse Johnson, Office of Washington State Treasurer
Andréa Comer, Office of Connecticut State Treasurer
Kasey O’Connor, Office of California State Treasurer
Elena Chavez Quezada, Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom
Mayor Michael Tubbs, End Poverty in California
Shimica Gaskins, GRACE & End Child Poverty California

Poem by Gia McLean, Parent Voices CA

The coldness of winter leaves, ideas of warmth, well-being, family, and public policies
The balance of grappling emotions
The stillness of our homes
The laundry basket with 15 pair of jeansBonds of our families, health, and well-being abuelitaI
Stretched the love in my bones to modern jazz
February 2024
The coldness of winter leaves opportunities to end poverty in California
Nurturance of bonds, community connections, and diversity within families

The kids quickly run inside
No daunting task of chores, the liberty to create, love, learn
The balance of well-being, plenty, health to our bodies, and alleviating droughts of meditation
Legislative account of prosperity
Public policies that unfold stories of inclusivity, fades
The sunrise of our children brings warmth
The clarity of Beautiful bonesBlack hair, and hazel eyes
Art, education, laughter, diversityMy kids, and families post pandemic.