Washington, DC (April 20, 2021) – Following is a statement by Gary Cunningham, President and CEO of Prosperity Now, on the verdict in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin. 

“With a guilty verdict returned in the seminal trial of Derek Chauvin, the people of Minneapolis and our entire nation are breathing a collective sigh of relief.

The decision affirms the outrage that so many of us felt as we witnessed the murder of yet another Black man at the hands of White police officers and brings with it the hope that we have finally reached a turning point in our country. For so long, communities of color have had to endure not only the loss of loved ones to police encounters, but also the loss of hope that the brutality they suffered would meet any accountability.

While today, champions of racial and economic equity celebrate a critical step forward, we also acknowledge that to reach true justice we will need more than a positive outcome in one trial. We need broad institutional reform that reaches across the structures that determine everyone’s access to wealth, health, and education. Our resolve to ushering this level of reform remains strong and steadfast.”

Prosperity Now believes that everyone deserves a chance to prosper. Since 1979, we have helped millions of people, especially people of color and those of limited incomes, to achieve financial security, stability, and, ultimately, prosperity. We offer a unique combination of practical solutions, in-depth research and proven strategies, all aimed at building wealth for those who need it most.  We recognize the devastating impact of the racial wealth divide on people and our economy, and we strive to equip organizations of color and others with the capacity, tools, and cultural competency necessary to address structural and systemic barriers facing families of color. Gary Cunningham is our President and CEO.