Passing It On—or Passing It By: Wealth, Race, and the Civil Rights Generation

America is entering the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history—an estimated $124 trillion moving from older to younger generations. At first glance, this moment seems poised to reshape opportunity for millions of families. But beneath the surface lies a sobering question: Unless policy and practice change, will this “great wealth transfer” actually cement America's deep racial wealth divide? In this episode, we sit down with Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, President of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, to explore the intersection of wealth, race and generational change. We’ll discuss the role of the Civil Rights Generation (born 1925–1955)—a cohort that fought for political equality but saw economic equality stall—and how their legacy collides with today’s unprecedented concentration of wealth. From the impact of tax policy to the question of what older Americans can do to pass on not just wealth, but equity, we’ll explore what it will take to turn this moment into an opportunity for justice rather than another barrier erected to keep wealth divided.