How can we learn from what’s working in thriving communities to build replicable models, so we can help everyone flourish? American cities sit at the intersection of immense opportunity and deep inequality — much of it traceable to decisions made generations ago that are still shaping who builds wealth, and who doesn't.

This episode of IAJS' One Question explores what it means to take stock of multiple truths about racial inequality and what it requires of government, financial institutions, universities, and communities to build the conditions for everyone to thrive.

ANDRE PERRY is a researcher, author, and commentator whose work has reframed how America understands wealth, race, and cities. His groundbreaking research on asset devaluation in Black neighborhoods — showing that Black-owned homes are underpriced by 23%, amounting to $156 billion in lost equity nationwide — has shaped policy debates at the highest levels of government. Perry is the author of Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America's Black Cities (2020) and Black Power Scorecard (2025). He is a regular contributor to MSNBC and a professor of practice of economics at Washington University in St. Louis.

ABOUT STANFORD IAJS
The Institute for Advancing Just Societies (IAJS) produces cutting-edge knowledge and bold solutions to realize racial and ethnic justice. We envision a world where race and ethnicity no longer adversely impacts people’s security, health, freedom, opportunity, political self-determination, or life experience.

Follow us to stay connected to this work. Join us to accelerate it. https://justsocieties.stanford.edu

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Production Company: Ethography
Producers: Georgia Limcaoco, Nikolas Liepins
Editor: Nikolas Liepins
Music: Caleb Liu

How do we build thriving, cohesive communities in a world defined by the constant movement of people? Interfaith America Founder Eboo Patel joins IAJS Faculty Director Tomás Jiménez for a conversation that explores what pluralism looks like in practice: at the city level, in local institutions, and in this political moment. They also discuss what the "builder" framework demands of civic leaders, universities, researchers, and communities alike.

Eboo Patel is a civic leader, speaker, and author advancing the notion that diversity is a treasure and cooperation across our differences is key to everyone thriving. Eboo’s impact extends to serving on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council, delivering hundreds of keynote addresses, and authoring five influential books. A Rhodes Scholar and Ashoka Fellow, Eboo earned a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University.