The “Closing the Gaps” Network (‘CTG Network’) is a community of geographically and demographically diverse cities committed to closing racial income and wealth gaps.
In 2020, Living Cities launched the CTG Network to bring together leaders from cities who are committed to imagining and building an anti-racist society. Civic and municipal leaders and their community partners from participant cities have access to cross-city learning opportunities, technical assistance, healing justice tools, and other resources and networks. Network cities are encouraged to re-examine the impact of current policies, practices and operations on current racial equity outcomes and to share their successes, struggles, and lessons in advancing racial equity in each city.
Our research with the Urban Institute published on March 15, 2023, highlights data from the US Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey, revealing that Black and Hispanic/Latino-owned businesses make up only about 2% and 6% of all businesses, respectively, whereas white-owned businesses make up more than 80%.
Living Cities leverages proven practices from our decades of public sector work to provide the Network city leaders with year-round opportunities for technical assistance and engagement with each other.
The CTG Network currently includes representatives from 22 cities committed to driving racial equity work income and wealth through data-informed and community-driven practices and policies:
Our current city cohorts seek to advance racial wealth equity through business ownership, homeownership, and inclusive economic development in corridors.
We have initiatives with cohorts of CTG Network cities that advance inclusive and equitable economic opportunity. Our two initiatives include the Year of Reckoning Initiative, funded by Wells Fargo and Citi Foundation, and Breaking Barriers to Business, funded by Truist Foundation.
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