Reclaiming the American Dream

Ben Hecht is the president and CEO of Living Cities, a collaborative of eighteen of the world's leading foundations and financial institutions working together to fight poverty and close the racial gaps in income and wealth in America's cities.

Knocking down barriers to the American Dream is the best thing we can do to build a stronger country and a more just society. Doing it requires a dedicated national effort and, as Ben shows, it can be led from the ground up."- Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and former mayor of New York City;"Ben Hecht's understanding that wealth and job creation can emanate from a start-up economy that focuses on challenged cities and enfranchises women and people of color is one of the many insights in this important book. He is able to explain the underpinnings of our increasing inequality and the most innovative approaches to addressing the dislocations caused by our changing economy with authority and a sense of hopefulness that our public discourse sorely needs."- Don Katz, Founder and CEO, Audible;"Ben Hecht's captivating book clearly lays out a series of powerful and achievable cures for our nation's ills. He has identified smart, sound strategies that if adopted everywhere would make a difference to millions of Americans, right now. Our challenge is clear."- Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation;"Ben Hecht has exposed one of America's greatest secrets: we already have proven solutions to many of our greatest problems. We just need them to be adopted everywhere. This book is the blueprint we all need to do that."- Michael A. Nutter, former mayor of Philadelphia;"Everyone has their vision of the American Dream and if the United States is to realize that dream, it needs surefire ways to bring the best ideas to scale. This is the ultimate value of Ben Hecht's book. He identifies with clarity and force recipes for successful approaches that we know work. Ben's compelling and optimistic case studies show that committing to embracing evidence-based solutions and taking them to scale is the best way of ensure equity, inclusion, and a better life for all. This text is a gift to America."- Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor, The State University of New York

• Contents:AcknowledgmentsIntroductionPart I: Enabling Opportunity through Education1. Enable High School Students to Earn Free College Degrees2. Graduate All Enrolled College Students3. Build a Path to a Degree for Workers on the Job4. Fix the Education System, Cradle to CareerPart II: Increasing Income through Jobs5. Support People Who Will Start and Grow Companies6. Use All of the Assets of PlacePart III: Increasing Wealth through Homeownership7. Expand Access to HomeownershipPart IV: Creating Opportunity through Access8. Harness the Benefits of Shared-Use Mobility9. Bring Affordable High-Speed Internet Access to EveryonePart V: Strengthening the Civic Fabric and Our Commitment to the Greater Good10. Foster the Effectiveness of Government11. Deepen Individual Engagement in Government and Community12. Enable the Long ViewEpilogueNotesIndex