SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The MetLife Foundation has awarded Syracuse University’s Lender Center for Social Justice a $2.7 million grant for research initiatives with a specific focus. They’ll focus on ways to “accelerate efforts to address the racial wealth gap and help dismantle the root causes of wealth disparity,” the university said in a release. The […]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The MetLife Foundation has awarded Syracuse University’s Lender Center for Social Justice a $2.7 million grant for research initiatives with a specific focus.
They’ll focus on ways to “accelerate efforts to address the racial wealth gap and help dismantle the root causes of wealth disparity,” the university said in a release.
The MetLife Foundation is based in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Syracuse University’s Lender Center for Social Justice says it “aspires to foster proactive, innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to issues related to social justice, equity and inclusion.”
The Lender Center for Social Justice will use the three-year grant to address — what the foundation calls — a “persistent crisis that continues to undermine” social and economic opportunities for “underserved and underrepresented” communities across the U.S. The projects will include new research on the topic; discussions among social-justice leaders to gain added insights on the issue; and new data-collection and evidence-gathering activities to illustrate the racial wealth gap’s impacts, Syracuse University said.
“The Lender Center is grateful for the partnership with MetLife Foundation as we work together to further uncover systemic issues contributing to the racial wealth gap in the United States,” Marcelle Haddix, associate provost for strategic initiatives in the Syracuse University Office of Academic Affairs, said. “Together, we aim to find scalable solutions that reduce inequities, provide access to opportunity and enable historically marginalized communities to ultimately build better economic futures.”
Haddix oversees the work of the Lender Center.
Four key focus areas
The Lender Center will coordinate an “Addressing the Racial Wealth Gap Working Group” that partners with the university’s social differences, social justice research cluster to organize thought-leadership discussions.
The panel discussions will promote collaboration between Syracuse University faculty and national social-justice leaders. Plans are to hold discussions in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Los Angeles, the university said.
Syracuse University will also hire diverse postdoctoral researchers with experience with the issue to examine questions regarding the gap and its impact on diverse communities, families, and individuals.
In addition, faculty fellows selected in coordination with Syracuse University’s Office of Research will have access to annual research grants to conduct research investigations related to the gap.
The Lender Center will also partner with “other leading voices on the subject to increase awareness of and amplify discussions around planned actions and potential solutions,” Syracuse University said.
The work will include mapping the social dynamics of racial wealth disparity, charting perceptions of social justice, and uncovering patterns that can serve as a foundation for ongoing work.
Leadership from the Lender Center and the social differences, social justice research cluster will manage the projects.
“Transforming our diversity, equity and inclusion commitments into meaningful action is a top priority for both MetLife and MetLife Foundation,” Mike Zarcone, head of corporate affairs at MetLife and chairman of MetLife Foundation, said in a statement. “MetLife Foundation’s partnership with the University and Lender Center is directly aligned with our strategy to help drive economic mobility by addressing the needs of underserved and underrepresented communities. There’s strength in numbers, and by working together with the University and other national leaders, we have an even greater opportunity to further reduce the racial wealth gap.”
Gretchen Ritter, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer at Syracuse University, views the existing cooperation between the school and the surrounding community as a “perfect backdrop” for the projects.
“Our research resources, our connection to the community, and the strong University and Lender Center commitments to social justice, as well as diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, provide an excellent foundation for this work,” Ritter said. “The MetLife Foundation’s generous funding of these projects will help propel the University forward as an evidence-based, field-focused research leader with the goal of finding additional ways to address the racial wealth gap across the country.”
The organizations will share research materials produced — including scholarly articles and presentations, plus results of data collection and evidence-gathering activities — through the MetLife Foundation and Lender Center annual events. The information will also be posted on the Lender Center website and circulated by both the university and the MetLife Foundation, Syracuse said
Since 1976, the MetLife Foundation says it has contributed more than $900 million to strengthen communities where MetLife has a presence.