With approximately eight million residents, Long Island is home to world-class research, medical, and academic institutions that are fueling a new innovation economy. Despite the region achievements, the American dream that Long Island was built to fulfill remains out of reach for many residents, particularly African American and other historically underserved groups in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Equity—just and fair inclusion—is the key to success and prosperity for these families, communities, and the region as a whole. Closing racial income gaps would result in the average African American and under served communities income increasing by over $22,000. Long Island as a whole stands to gain a great deal from addressing racial inequities—in 2014 alone, the region’s economy could have been nearly $24 billion stronger if its racial gaps in income had been closed.

To build a sustainable Long Island economy, public, private, and nonprofit leaders across the region must commit to advancing policies and strategies that increase health equity, wealth, and economic resilience of all Long Islanders.