An initiative of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences

Guiding Questions

We all have a role to play in making our lives and communities more economically connected. These questions are designed to help each of us think about how we can take part in bridging socioeconomic divides.

For All of Us

Question 1:
Who helped you get to where you are today? Are there ways you can pay this forward by building new connections in your personal and professional life?

Question 2:
Think about your own community and the places (parks, stores, gyms, schools, restaurants, etc.) you often frequent in your daily life. Do these provide you with the opportunity to meet and interact with people coming from a different socioeconomic background than you? 

Check your answers about your community with the Social Capital Atlas. 

Question 3:
How can you make economic connectedness a stronger priority in your own life? 

Question 4:
Are there changes you can make to the places you visit or programs you attend that might allow for you to connect more with others? 

For Organizational Leaders

Question 1:
Are socioeconomically diverse groups coming to your organization?

  • If your answer is NO: 

    • What kinds of programs can you create to bring people together? 

    • Are there barriers to entry for potential participants? How can you eliminate those barriers? 

  • If your answer is YES: 

    • How are you creating the conditions to activate the mix between people of different socioeconomic backgrounds? 

    • Do you have qualified brokers in your institution who can get people to connect across class lines? 

Question 2:
How can you embed economic connectedness within your organization’s programs and priorities? 

Question 3:
In what ways are you and others in your organization modeling a commitment to economic connectedness personally? 

For Community Decision-Makers

Question 1:
Does your community have high rates of economic connectedness? 

Check your answers about your community with the Social Capital Atlas. 

Question 2:
Who are the most economically disconnected populations in your community? What institutions have the most access to these populations? 

Question 3:
Are there places in your community where diverse groups are already coming together? Can more investment be directed towards these spaces? 

Question 4:
How can you embed economic connectedness goals within your strategic plans for your community? 

Question 5:
In what ways are you modeling a commitment to economic connectedness personally?

Learn more
The Commission on Reimagining Our Economy
Economic Connectedness is a project of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences' bipartisan, multi-disciplined Commission on Reimagining Our Economy.
LEARN ABOUT THE COMMISSION
Case studies
Case studies showcase effective mechanisms to create socioeconomic diversity in neighborhoods, schools, and civic institutions through intentional community development and programming initiatives.
Read case studies