Event Summary

On December 12, AEI’s Scott Winship and former Trump administration officials Ja’Ron Smith and Chris Pilkerton discussed how policymakers can improve the lives of people in underserved communities across the country.

Mr. Smith and Mr. Pilkerton began with a presentation connecting President Abraham Lincoln’s opportunity agenda with traditional conservative economic philosophy. They explained the mutual benefits of capitalism and the understanding that an efficient allocation of resources avoids the harmful crowding out of civil society.

During the discussion, Mr. Smith and Mr. Pilkerton spoke about the importance of the Platinum Plan, a $500 billion commitment from the Trump administration to increase capital for black communities, as well as criminal justice reform and the establishment of Opportunity Zones. The event concluded with a Q&A.

—Tim Sprunt

Event Description

How can policymakers help underserved communities across the country? In their new book, Underserved: Harnessing the Principles of Lincoln’s Vision for Reconstruction for Today’s Forgotten Communities, Ja’Ron Smith and Chris Pilkerton present a blueprint for conservatives to address the needs of underserved communities, covering such areas as education and workforce development, criminal justice reform, and health care disparities.

Please join AEI’s Scott Winship for a discussion of the book and how modern conservatives can advance President Abraham Lincoln’s vision to help underserved communities across the country.

Agenda

3:00 p.m.
Introduction:
Scott Winship, Director, Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility, American Enterprise Institute

3:05 p.m.
Presentation:
Chris Pilkerton, Senior Fellow, Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Harvard Kennedy School
Ja’Ron Smith, Partner, Dentons Global Advisors

3:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion

Panelists:
Chris Pilkerton, Senior Fellow, Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Harvard Kennedy School
Ja’Ron Smith, Partner, Dentons Global Advisors

Moderator:
Scott Winship, Director, Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility, American Enterprise Institute

4:00 p.m.
Q&A

4:15 p.m.
Adjournment