Building Economic Dignity for All Georgians By Rodney Bullard

Across Georgia, from the heart of Atlanta to the rural roads of South Georgia, people are working hard to build better lives. They are doing their part. But the truth is, the playing field is not the same for everyone.

We talk a lot about opportunity. We believe in it. But when opportunity depends more on your ZIP code than your talent, and when entire communities are locked out of economic growth, we are not living up to the promise of what Georgia can be for everyone.

The Cost of the Gap

Recent numbers show that Georgia’s income inequality is rising. We are now one of only a few states where inequality grew last year, while most others saw improvement. The gap between high-income and low-income households in Georgia is wide, and only getting wider. In Atlanta, it is one of the worst in the country.

That means a household at the top makes more than six times what a household at the bottom earns. It also means that too many families are struggling to make rent, access childcare, or build savings.

This is not about blame. It is about shared responsibility.

Inequality this deep does not just affect people on an individual level. It affects all of us. It weakens our workforce. It stifles innovation. And perhaps most importantly, it chips away at the belief that hard work alone is enough.

More Than Numbers

Behind every statistic is a real person. A young man working two jobs but still falling behind on bills. A woman who cannot afford to live in the neighborhood where she teaches. A student with the talent to thrive but not the resources to compete.

Economic dignity means being able to provide for your family, contribute to your community, and have a sense of control over your future. It is not about handouts. It is about having a fair shot.

And right now, too many Georgians do not have that shot.

Whether you live in a big city or a small town, the need for economic dignity is the same, though the exact details may look different. In some places, it is the lack of public transit or broadband; in others, it is rising housing costs or limited access to capital. But the core issue remains: too many hardworking Georgians are being left out of opportunity. If we want to build a stronger state, we cannot ignore the pain points that exist in both urban and rural communities.

Where We Go from Here

We do not need to look far for solutions. We just need to continue investing in them.

That begins with conversation. Not on the surface level, but honest dialogue that builds understanding, even when it is uncomfortable. At The Same House, we believe that connection is a strategy. That is what led us to create Tables Across America, a national series of shared meals that bring people face-to-face to build empathy and action.

Each table gathers people from all walks of life to talk about the issues that matter most to their communities. The goal is not to win an argument, but to listen and to learn. Whether it is a business leader sitting next to a community advocate, or a policymaker hearing from a high school student, every perspective helps build common ground.

These moments may seem small, but they are powerful. They have sparked real investments in ten cities and counting across the country. They remind us that dignity begins with being seen and heard.

When we start with connection, we build the trust that makes real, meaningful change possible.

A State That Works for Everyone

At The Same House, we talk often about what it means to share a roof. To share responsibility. To fight the real fights, not against each other, but against the conditions that divide us.

Building economic dignity is one of those fights.

It is why we host the Beloved Benefit each year, not just as an event, but as a catalyst. The Beloved Benefit brings people together to support the nonprofits doing this critical work to close the gaps.

This is about building a Georgia where more people can thrive, not just survive. Where the dignity of work is matched by the opportunity to grow.

We can be that Georgia. But only if we choose to build it together.

Join us by taking The Same House Pledge to help create a future rooted in dignity for all.