America’s Racial Wealth Gap: Jay Pearson Tries to Build Wealth for the Next Generation

Growing up on a farm in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, Jay Pearson knew he wanted to do something different with his life. His grandfather was a tenant farmer, and he had come from a long line of farmers before that.

For the first 11 years of his life, Pearson and his family lived in his grandfather’s tenant farm house. After that, they moved into a trailer park. His family never had any savings.

“In terms of wealth and income, I grew up in abject poverty,” says Pearson. “I’m the first person in my direct line who’s been building wealth that can hopefully be transferred to the next generation.” Learn more about his story and drive here.