The prospect of opportunity is at the heart of American ideas of equality. But there are wide gaps in opportunity by background in terms of income, gender and race. In this session, Brookings expert Richard V. Reeves shared the latest data and thinking on what the President has called the ‘defining challenge of our time’ – rising inequality and lack of upward mobility. What can be done to narrow opportunity gaps? What is the role for policy and practice? Is the American Dream still within reach? Focusing specifically on the ‘inheritance of inequality’, Reeves presented findings on intergenerational patterns of poverty and affluence, highlight the primary causes of the opportunity gap, and point to potential solutions, big and small.

The American Dream: Making it Real

• Richard Reeves, Policy Director, Center on Children and Families, Brookings Institution