Aug 19, 2020

Black capitalism, then and now

A Sephora store in Santa Monica, California, in March. The beauty chain is participating in the 15 Percent Pledge. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Plus, the story of Soul City, falling rents in New York and San Francisco, and whether college students can expect a tuition refund for canceled in-person classes.

Segments From this episode

How are CEOs doing on their stakeholdlers pledge?

by Kai Ryssdal , Maria Hollenhorst and Daisy Palacios

Aug 19, 2020

In 2019, some of the country's most powerful business leaders promised to redefine what it means to be a corporation. Then the pandemic hit.

People walk outside the New York Stock Exchange last month. One year ago, a group of nearly 200 CEOs agreed to consider more than just shareholders in business decisions.

Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID-19

Rents are falling in some cities

by Amy Scott

Aug 19, 2020

But the flight to the suburbs may be overblown.

An apartment rental sign in Los Angeles, where prices are sliding.

Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

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Race and Economy

Retailers pledge 15% of shelf space to Black-owned businesses

by Marielle Segarra

Aug 19, 2020

The 15 Percent Pledge is pushing retailers to devote more shelf space to Black-owned businesses.

A Sephora store in Santa Monica, California, in March. The beauty chain is participating in the 15 Percent Pledge.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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A food historian’s “ode to macaroni and cheese”

by Maria Hollenhorst

Aug 19, 2020

“We like to curse processed foods,” says Jeffrey Miller. “But we usually do it with a mouth full of them.”

Demand for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese has surged this year as Americans are cooking more and eating at restaurants less.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Don't expect a tuition refund if your university moves classes online

by Erika Beras

Aug 19, 2020

Students may not be getting what they signed up for, but they're unlikely to get their money back.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill moved classes online after more than 100 students tested positive for COVID-19.

Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images

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Race and Economy

What the story of Soul City, N.C., can teach us about fixing systemic economic racism

by Andie Corban and Kai Ryssdal

Aug 19, 2020

Civil rights leader Floyd McKissick set out to create a town, aided by government funding, that would showcase Black capitalism. Professor Devin Fergus explains why the story is relevant today.

Civil rights leaders including Floyd McKissick, second from left, at the White House with President John Kennedy in 1963. McKissick led the Congress of Racial Equality and later founded Soul City.

AFP/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Pa Pa Power Dead Man's Bones

Confessions Sudan Archives

True Affection The Blow

Mystic Voyage Roy Ayers

Watch it Grow The Everywheres

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

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