Earlier this week, I attended the rollout of One Economy: A Path Forward, the latest report from The Directors Council. This report, dedicated to the legacy of Teree Caldwell-Johnson, provides an updated and urgent look at the persistent racial and economic disparities in our community.
This report is more than data—it is a mirror reflecting the lived realities of Black residents in Polk County. It tells the story of progress delayed, prosperity denied, and resilience tested. And it makes one thing clear: we are still living in two different Des Moines.
A Tale of Two Cities: The Data Speaks
Despite ongoing efforts, deep disparities persist between Black and White residents in Des Moines:
🏠 Homeownership remains out of reach. The 41-point homeownership gap means Black families are far less likely to own homes, even when income and education levels are the same.
💰 A $1 billion income gap. Black workers earn significantly less than their White counterparts, even in similar jobs. These lost wages impact entire families and hold back our community’s economic potential.
🏥 Black residents are dying a decade earlier. The life expectancy gap is still 10 years, driven by systemic inequities in healthcare, housing, and economic security.
🎓 Education inequality continues. Black students graduate high school at rates 14% lower than White students, limiting access to higher education and better job opportunities.
💵 Nearly half of Black children in Polk County live in poverty. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a generational crisis.
These numbers are not new. The disparities were true in 2017, they were true in 2020, and they are true in 2025.
We Will Not Be Derailed
This fight for justice is happening in an increasingly hostile political and social environment. With the new federal administration working to dismantle the very systems we’ve been building, it would be easy to feel discouraged.
But let me be clear: we have never relied on any administration to do the work for us.
Change has always come from us—our communities, our advocacy, and our relentless pursuit of justice.
Despite these challenges, we remain steadfast. We will keep pushing. We will keep building. And we will win.
What You Can Do Right Now
📝 Read the full report. Knowledge is power. Read One Economy: A Path Forward https://www.tdcdsm.org/_files/ugd/85dfff_ac2e32666db545d2b33ea2feff287e11.pdf and understand the reality of our community.
📢 Share the report. Use your voice—on social media, in your workplace, in your circles. The more people see these disparities, the harder they are to ignore.
💡 Join the conversation. Attend NAACP meetings, city council hearings, and community forums to push for policy changes that close these gaps.
💰 Invest in solutions. Support Black-owned businesses, advocate for fair housing policies, and donate to organizations committed to equity.
The Path Forward Starts with Us
This report is not just a reflection of where we are—it is a blueprint for where we need to go. We have the research. We have the knowledge. We have the power.
Let’s make it count.
Victoria Henderson Weber
President | NAACP Des Moines