The Opportunity Index: A Solution-Based Framework to Dismantle the Racial Wealth Gap
By Gavin Lewis
Due to be published by Wiley, March 2023
Hardcover and e-book
Priced £23.99/ US$28.99
ISBN: 9781119840763
“The complexity of creating equal societies is tackled brilliantly by Gavin and is a must-read for those who want future generations, essentially my children and their own, to not have to be held to any different standards.”
—TIM CAMPBELL, MBE, BBC’s The Apprentice, and Business Executive
In The Opportunity Index, author Gavin Lewis - Managing Director at BlackRock and co-founder of the #TalkAboutBlack movement - carefully explains the origins of the racial wealth gap and its impact on the inequities facing the Black community today. Weaving a personal and moving narrative with a discussion of some of the most disruptive events of our time, Lewis offers a roadmap for businesses and people seeking to understand the risks presented by inequality and unlock opportunities.
The world is significantly wealthier than it was 100, 50, or even 20 years ago but it is no secret that this wealth has not been distributed equally. Importantly, a racial wealth gap between Black and White communities persists, with Black people having significantly smaller net worths than their White counterparts.
This new book is an urgent call to action to address the root causes of this continuing wealth gap. Lewis outlines the effects it has on society, healthcare, and opportunities and provides actionable solutions to address them. Going beyond the typical workplace discussions, Lewis explores deeper truths about society and the perpetuation of inequality.
Readers will discover lessons from global movements such as #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo, and how these forms of social activism can provide case studies for real and lasting change.
An insightful treatment of what equity and access mean in the context of international finance at the highest levels, The Opportunity Index will be of interest to finance professionals, business leaders, teachers, community leaders, DE&I professionals, and anyone invested in a more fair and just world.
The Opportunity Index will be available wherever books and ebooks are sold
-ends-
Praise for the book:
“I’ve never been more desperately eager to endorse a book, yet I have never found it harder to write or articulate the actual endorsement. And there is a good reason for this: The Opportunity Index is such a multifaceted, intellectually robust yet curious, meticulously well-researched, historically in-depth, culturally rich, and refreshingly written book that it is painfully hard to do it the justice it truly deserves.” —NELS ABBEY, writer, broadcaster, and founder of the Black Writers Guild
“The complexity of creating equal societies is tackled brilliantly by Gavin and is a must-read for those who want future generations, essentially my children and their own, to not have to be held to any different standards. The Opportunity Index doesn’t lift the lid on what causes racial discrimination (many have focused on that for years) but instead focuses on the hope left in Pandora’s box with an optimism for how we move forward in tackling inequality, institutional cultural bias, and planning for a world where there is a higher standard than simply the absence of discrimination being celebrated.” —TIM CAMPBELL, MBE, BBC’s The Apprentice, and Business Executive
“Masterfully crisscrossing from personal narrative to the economics of racial inequality, Gavin brings us solutions for racial, social, and economic fairness around the world. The Opportunity Index is a must-read for all of us, whether we’re on the tube or classroom, C-Suite or in faith communities, and especially for those who believe that equality is achievable.” —REVEREND KEITH MAGEE, Professor of Cultural Justice, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose
About the Author:
GAVIN LEWIS is Managing Director at BlackRock and co-founder of the #TalkAboutBlack movement which highlights the challenges Black people face in the finance industry and in society at large. He also launched the #IAM campaign and is passionate about diversifying the finance industry.
About Wiley:
Wiley is one of the world’s largest publishers and a global leader in scientific research and career-connected education. Founded in 1807, Wiley enables discovery, powers education, and shapes workforces. Through its industry-leading content, digital platforms, and knowledge networks, the company delivers on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
For further information or to request a review copy, cover image, or extract of any of the above titles, please contact:
Katy Smith, Publicity Manager, Wiley
+44 (0) 1243 770215, katysmith@wiley.com (Mon-Wed)
Visit www.wiley.com/go/press for the latest news from Wiley and follow @WileyBusiness