Read our February newsletter here.
Next50’s February newsletter focuses on Black History Month, which is an opportunity to reflect on how age and race intersect to shape people’s experiences over a lifetime. For many older Black adults, systemic inequities in housing, healthcare, employment, and wealth accumulation don’t just exist in isolation; they compound with age, influencing economic security.
According to research published by AARP, nearly half (49%) of Black adults age 45+ report experiencing racial discrimination. At the same time, longstanding disparities in income and access to employer-sponsored retirement plans mean Black workers often enter later life with fewer assets and lower retirement savings. These inequities show up in tangible ways: while Black Americans make up roughly 9% of adults over 65, they account for 16% of nursing home residents, reflecting persistent barriers to accessing more affordable, community-based aging options.
Past and current grantees like DayBreak, Gratitude Care Services, and Aging While Black recognize that advancing equitable aging at the intersection of race, culture, and age requires nonprofits and partners to address the undeniable structural barriers that have shaped opportunity across the lifespan.
This month, we honor the legacy of Black leaders who have paved the way for more just and inclusive systems, while recommitting to the work ahead to ensure that every Coloradan, regardless of race or age, has the resources needed to age affordably.
~ Peter Kaldes, Esq. President and CEO
Next50’s February newsletter reflects on Black History Month as an opportunity to examine how race and age intersect to shape economic security over a lifetime.
We also look forward to our next strategic plan. As we celebrate Next50’s 10th anniversary and prepare for the next strategic chapter. We’re inviting community feedback to help shape what comes next in making aging more affordable across Colorado and the country.
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