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AAs the founder of Operation HOPE, I have spent most of my life advocating for financial literacy and economic empowerment in underserved communities. Over the years, I have come to realize that there simply aren’t enough successful white men to carry the weight of America’s economic future.

This is not a slight against these men, who have always been responsible for much of our country’s GDP growth. Quite the opposite. I to want as many of them as possible to succeed, because we all succeed when we all succeed. This is just a mathematical reality – and we must confront and resolve, in a positive way, whether we are to ensure America’s continued prosperity.

Consumer spending accounts for 70% of the U.S. economy, but the face of the American consumer is changing. Today, America is 41% minority groups. And by 2044, the United States will be a majority-minority country, meaning no single racial or ethnic group will dominate the population. Even today, minority groups have immense purchasing power: Black Americans are expected to have purchasing power of $1.7 trillion by 2030, while Hispanic Americans already contribute $3.2 trillion annually to the economy.

These numbers are clear: America’s economic future depends on ensuring that all citizens, regardless of race, gender or background, have access to the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.

Learn more: DEI does not work. The inclusive economy could

Yet today, systemic barriers continue to hold back too many people. White Americans own 80% of the wealth of the nationalthough they only represent 65% of households. Women, who now have $10.9 trillion in assets and represent approximately 30% of U.S. GDP, still face significant obstacles to wealth accumulation and income opportunities. These disparities are not just moral failures; these are economic risks. If we fail to solve them, we risk stifling the potential of millions of future consumers, entrepreneurs and leaders.

Financial literacy is the civil rights issue of this generation. For what? Because financial culture is the foundation of economic mobility. It’s the difference between surviving and thriving in a system that often seems stacked against you. We’ve seen first-hand how teaching individuals how to manage credit, build wealth, and start a business can transform lives. One of my favorite success stories is that of a woman from Atlanta who, after completing our financial coaching program, paid off $30,000 in debt, increased her credit score by 200 points, and purchased her first home.

Now imagine extending this impact to millions of homes. This is what is at stake when we talk about diversity and inclusion: not just equity, but economic opportunity for all.

We learned during Operation HOPE, from partnering with banks to bring financial leadership to underserved communities to helping Fortune 500 companies diversify their leadership pipelines, inclusion is not just about right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do for businesses. When I talk to CEOs, I remind them that diversity it is not charity; it’s a good deal. The future workforce– and future customers – will be very different from what they are today. Businesses that fail to adapt to this reality will find themselves left behind.

We also need policymakers to step up their efforts. That means investing in education, expanding access to affordable housing, and ensuring minority-owned businesses have the resources they need to succeed.

It also means tackling the racial wealth gap head-on. The average black family has one-tenth the wealth of the average white family – a gap that reflects decades of discriminatory policies. Financial literacy is a powerful tool, but we cannot achieve true equity without systemic change.

It’s not a black problema Brown question or a women’s question. This is an American question. The strength of our economy depends on the strength of all its participants.

Nothing changes your life more than God or love, except moving your credit score 120 points in the right direction. Financial inclusion is a game changer, not just for individuals but for our nation as a whole.

There are not enough white men to support the American economy. But that’s not a problem; it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to build a future where everyone has a chance to succeed. A future where our diversity is not just a challenge but our greatest strength.

Let’s seize this opportunity together.

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