OKDHS April Lecture Explores Building Economic Security for All Oklahomans

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- The belief that the American dream is becoming increasingly out of reach is the topic of the next installment in the Spring Lecture Series presented by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS). “Closing the Opportunity Gap:  Building Equity in Oklahoma,” will be held Thursday, April 25th, from Noon to 1 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zudih Drive in Oklahoma City. 

Guest lecturer Kate Richey will present data and analysis on the racial wealth gap in Oklahoma – from home and business ownership to savings, investments, and other assets vital to long-term financial security.  This research points to deeply entrenched gaps in wealth, income, and employment between white and nonwhite Oklahomans.  Without equitable economic growth at the state level, broad-based prosperity and the ideal of the American dream will become increasingly out of reach.  Richey will present solutions for closing the wealth gap and fostering equitable access to income, assets, and opportunity in Oklahoma.

Richey joined the Oklahoma Policy Institute in January, 2011.  She has a B.A. in Business from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a M.A. in Political Science from the University of Central Oklahoma.  She has extensive experience teaching government and public policy at the college level and currently researches and writes about healthcare, immigration, poverty, race and the economy in Oklahoma.  She works with a diverse group of individuals and organizations on a range of policy initiatives to protect assets and advance opportunity for low-income Oklahomans and in communities of color. 

The Practice and Policy Lecture Series has been developed to provide thought-provoking presentations on Oklahoma's emerging policy issues, trends and best practices. The series is sponsored by the OKDHS Office of Planning, Research and Statistics and the University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management with the goal of providing the best educational opportunities available in a forum that offers participants an opportunity to question, share and learn from each other. 

All lectures are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Office of Planning, Research and Statistics at (405) 521-3552 or visit the Practice and Policy Lecture Series website 

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