In the Media
News from CSEM
CSEM Director has article published in The New York Times on challenges facing minority/low income families in home financing
New York Times
Dr. Craig Richardson, along with his co-author Yuliya Panfil, had an op-ed published on Oct. 3rd, 2024 that highlighted how Dodd-Frank banking regulations have made it unprofitable to issue smaller mortgages that have traditionally helped Americans buy their first home and made it more difficult to buy fixer uppers. During Acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman's coincidental same-day campus visit, she met Dr. Richardson and noted she agreed with the article's premise- and said some fixes are coming.
CSEM Student Research Fellows Showcase Work at WSSU Scholarship Day 2025
This past semester, Faith Kerr, Cah'lil Williams, Azeriyonna Simmons and Caridad Studivant have taken a deep dive into the little known history of the Black business district and neighborhoods that thrived from the 1910s to the 1950s. Each of them examined online resources and presented a poster during Scholarship Day 2025 on April 3rd. Their posters brought numerous interested students, faculty and administrators, where they told visitors about the marvel of Black-owned taxis (known as "jitneys" for their nickel cost to ride), the Black artists and musicians, and the important Black businesses such as a famous brickmaking company. (Sturdivant was unavailable due to ROTC committments).
Christian White, on another project, has worked with a non-profit known as the "Do School", which assists ex-felons with trade skills and renovating homes so they may pursue new career paths. Dr. Madjd-Sadjadi has overseen this project. All CSEM student fellows are supported with funds through CSEM for their work on projects.
Pictured (upper left, clockwise): Prof. Cynthia Villagomez and Azeriyonna Simmons; Faith Kerr and student; Cah'lil Williams and students; Provost Mike McKenzie and Christian White.
CSEM's innovative work on economic mobility profiled by national publication.
Medium, an online magazine that has a subscription base of over 1 million readers, had a recent article, ""Bridging the Gap: How CSEM is Transforming Economic Mobility Through Data." Writer Isha Clayton, a graduate student at Howard University and entrepreneur, interviewed Dr. Richardson, noting that, "CSEM is at the frontline of tackling economic challenges through data-driven research and innovative initiatives." The article discussed CSEM's path-breaking data project with the City of Greensboro, its documentaries highlighting public transportation and affordable housing as well as its upcoming one on micro transit as a new means of public transportation, and how WSSU students have played a key role in CSEM's work. (Sept. 13, 2024).
Photo credit: Writer Isha Clayton, Medium magazine.
CSEM Director presents new research on Black homeownership trends at a conference in Guatemala.
Dr. Craig Richardson attended the Association of Private Enterprise Education on April 5-8, 2025 and chaired a paper session titled, "Race and Regulation in the United States" along with presenting a paper based on his most recent research. Richardson's research detailed the reasons and causes behind the persistent Black/white homeownership gap, laying partial blame on federal banking policies after the Great Recession of 2008. Richardson highlighted how these regulations have made it unprofitable for banks to issue mortgages at the lower end of the market, making it difficult for many Black families with less wealth to draw upon for downpayments- to purchase a home. Around 350 academics attended the conference, with dozens of panel sessions and special events.
A Revolution in Public Transportation From A Town You Wouldn't Expect
American Institute for Economic Research
It’s taken more than a hundred years for low-density cities to recognize that public transportation works far better in a point-to-point model, using private-public partnerships.
CSEM Student Research Fellows To Explore "New Tech" Approach to Learning About the City's Former African-American Business District
On January 31st, three Winston-Salem State University students met with City of Winston-Salem's Historic Preservation Officer Michelle McCullough to learn more about the once thriving business district from the 1910s-1950s in the area now known as Innovation Quarter and Bailey Park. Azeriyonna Simmons, Faith Kerr and Cah'lil Williams (l to r) are economics majors and CSEM Student Fellows for Spring 2025. Their goal: to bring a fresh approach to learning about history, and create an interactive narrative walking tour that will allow people to appreciate the successes of a former Black community, with 21st century technology. One hundred years ago, the area thrived with its dozens of Black-owned shops, Black-owned housing, clubs and schools, remarkable in an era that had a lack of civil rights. The CSEM students have ambitious goals to unearth the hidden and proud African American history with modern technology. One idea is to use QR code markers on various spots within the Innovation Quarter to transport people to a mostly forgotten past, using archival footage, interviews and other resources. The student team project is self-directed, with Dr. Craig Richardson serving as the team's mentor, with the goal of presenting the progress during WSSU's Scholarship Week. Funds for this project are supported by the John William Pope Foundation.
Why “Disincentive Deserts” Matter Far More Than Benefits Cliffs
American Institute for Economic Research
Benefits cliffs certainly remain an important area of policy study, but we should pay more attention to creatively solving the problems of disincentive deserts, since they exist for such long and dispiriting spans of workers’ income journey, rolling back benefits at a rate that is equivalent to a 60-95% effective marginal tax rate.
MBA Students and Professor Gosavi attend financial conference with help from CSEM funding
Six MBA students along with Dr. Aparna Gosavi, MBA Program Director, attended an exciting FinTech Conference hosted by Fayetteville State University at their campus on 10/8 and 10/9. The students got an opportunity to listen to various prominent speakers from the academia and industry who talked about technological development and job opportunities in the FinTech industry. The bus transportation was paid for by The Center for the Study of Economic Mobility at Winston-Salem State University.
Students had a lot to say about the experience. Sherika Scales said, “As an entrepreneurial business student, it is important to understand how the financial world is being impacted by the innovations and advances in technology”. Winnie King noted, “I am at crossroads professionally and having trouble identifying my purpose. The conference identified exciting opportunities.” Saquavia Bennett added, “I am thrilled to have experienced the very first Fintech conference at FSU. This experience has broadened my perspective on how technology and financial services can act as catalysts for socioeconomic mobility.”
The MBA program offers three courses in AI and one course in blockchain. Attending the conference in FinTech allowed the students to integrate their classwork with the latest trends in the industry. CSEM support for this transportation was funded by a grant by the John William Pope Foundation.
