The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap

The Color of Money is a groundbreaking book that sheds light on the persistent racial wealth gap in the United States.

Through an in-depth examination of black banks, Mehrsa Baradaran reveals how housing segregation, racism, and Jim Crow credit policies have created an insurmountable economic trap for black communities.

Despite the best efforts of black banking institutions to help their communities escape poverty, they have become victims of the same forces that perpetuate inequality. Baradaran challenges the notion that black banking and community self-help are the solution to the racial wealth gap, arguing that these initiatives have served only to distract from more fundamental reforms and racial redress.

Instead, she offers a bold new perspective on how banking can be used to promote black wealth and end the cycle of poverty. With its comprehensive analysis of the history of race and finance in America, The Color of Money is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the root causes of racial inequality and how it can be addressed.