Our country has lost one of our most important leaders. John Lewis fought relentlessly for racial justice for more than six decades and was this nation’s conscience on civil rights.

Systemic and institutional racism plays a key role in determining which young adults get opportunities to experience economic mobility, and which young adults face countless obstacles to reaching their full potential.

In a country already suffering from rising income inequality, it is more important than ever to ensure that the most economically vulnerable Americans do not fall further in the months and year ahead.