Photo by Elliott Powell
Cliff Goins IV is the author of the new book Minding the Wealth Gap: Our Playbook to Close It Together. He also has written the book Stop Digging!. An investor in private companies, he lives near Chicago.
Q: What inspired you to write Minding the Wealth Gap?
A: A mentor and friend, Adrienne Ingrum, who is an acquisition editor and book agent, reached out to me in late 2022. She had reread a piece I wrote on LinkedIn post-George Floyd and was moved by it.
We ended up a series of conversations that led to her asking, “What would you have to say to wealthy black folks about closing the wealth gap?” After a pause, my answer was “Nothing, wealthy black folks cannot close the wealth gap.”
As we unpacked that reply, it was evident we both knew Black leaders taking different angles to solve the problem, notwithstanding not having enough resources or influence to solve the whole puzzle alone. Within two months of our initial conversation, I had a deal to write this book.
Q: How did you choose the entrepreneurs to highlight in the book?
A: I did not know, going into it, that there would be nine.
Initially, I went after some big names and well-known Black entrepreneurs and executives. Unfortunately, those efforts fell flat. In hindsight, I believe the book is a much better product.
From there, I really worked on my direct contacts and tapped into my personal network. Some of the nine I had already identified in my book proposal.
For the others it was a lot of: “Hey, you should talk to my friend X, who does Y.” “Do you know so-and-so? I think they would be great for your book.”
The nine emerged from that process. I call them “gap closers.”
Q: Concentric Equity Partners’ Jennifer Steans said of the book, “Goins clearly lays out the case for a collective effort to reduce the racial wealth gap. He provides impactful and practical ideas about where to plug in and be part of the solution.” What do you think of that description?
A: I think it captures the essence of the message in that we need to come together as Americans to solve the problem and no matter who you are and where you live you can take an active role.
I believe this is counter to what most think might solve the problem but I provide an easily digestible way to “plug in” as she says.
Q: Especially given the current political and economic news, what do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: This isn’t just a Black problem—it’s an American problem.
This is a call to:
· entrepreneurs and executives who want to drive real economic change
· investors and policymakers who shape wealth-building opportunities
· philanthropists and community leaders who have the resources to make systemic impact
Black Americans cannot close this wealth gap alone. But you can be a gap closer too. We just need you to get in the game.
While recent narratives paint efforts to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion as enemies of the state, the reality is that these activities are about the most American activities we could undertake. They deliver on the promise of America and expand the economic pie we all share.
I’m super optimistic about solutions and excited to get after this problem.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m spending most of my days searching for privately owned businesses to buy. I typically target companies with $1 million to $3 million in cash flow with a primary customer base of other business or government entities.
On the writing front, I wrote a bit of a spiritual manifesto on personal finance called Stop Digging! over 20 years ago. One of my good friends is encouraging me to remix it and make it more digestible for a new generation. I’m thinking about it. No promises though.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: The Black-white wealth gap is not an accident—it is the result of structural barriers that must be actively dismantled.
Solutions exist, but they require policy changes, corporate accountability, and community-driven economic strategies.
The key to closing the wealth gap is intentional action, from expanding Black homeownership to improving educational access and supporting Black entrepreneurship.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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