ATLANTA, GA, January 26, 2026 – Kindred Futures today announced the release of Now Is the Time: A Policy Playbook for State and Local Action That Builds Black Wealth in the South, a new policy roadmap designed to support lawmakers, advocates, and community leaders as they enter pivotal 2026 legislative sessions across the region. 

As Black households across the South face rising costs of living, labor market instability, and continued fallout from federal retrenchment, the playbook outlines pragmatic, state- and local-level policy solutions that protect income, preserve assets, and expand pathways to wealth building. The playbook is rooted in Kindred Futures’ Repair, Resilience, and Revenue framework and focuses on policies that are fiscally responsible, politically actionable, and grounded in real-world examples from Southern states and municipalities. 

Now is the Time presents ten core policy priorities, including children’s trust funds or baby bonds, curbing predatory lending, reducing medical and student debt, expanding first-generation homeownership, protecting heirs’ property, supporting community development financial institutions, strengthening worker protections, expanding retirement savings, scaling cooperative ownership and community land trusts, and taking action on reparations. Each priority includes a clear policy rationale, examples of implementation, and model bill language to support lawmakers and advocates in drafting legislation.  

“Too many Black families in the South are doing everything right and still struggling to build or hold onto wealth because the policy environment has not been designed with them in mind,” said Dr. Alex Camardelle, vice president of Policy and Research at Kindred Futures. “This playbook is about meeting this moment with solutions that are bold but practical. It shows that states and local governments have real tools right now to repair past harms, protect hard-won assets, and expand opportunities for families to build lasting wealth.” 

While the playbook centers Black wealth building, its recommendations are designed to strengthen state and local economies overall by expanding homeownership, stabilizing communities, supporting small businesses, and growing a more resilient middle class. 

“Building Black wealth is not a niche issue,” Camardelle added. “When families can buy homes, start businesses, save for retirement, and pass assets to the next generation, entire communities and state economies are stronger. Now is the time for states, counties, and cities to act.”