Author: Empower Media Exchange
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Baby Bonds in Colorado: What the Numbers Show
A new feasibility moves the conversation from concept to cost, reach and the policy choices ahead. Economist and urban policy scholar Darrick Hamilton formalized the modern U.S. Baby Bonds proposal with his University of North Carolina graduate advisor and research collaborator, William A. Darity Jr., in 2010. The idea was informed by years of research into the racial wealth gap,…
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The Infrastructure Behind Baby Bonds
Colorado’s Baby Bonds feasibility study identifies financial coaching, trusted outreach and support for immediate financial needs as central to effective program design. Baby Bonds are publicly funded investment accounts established for eligible children and allowed to grow into adulthood, when funds can be used for wealth-building purposes such as higher education or training, homeownership, entrepreneurship…
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Baby Bonds Could Give Colorado Children a Stronger Financial Starting Point
A publicly funded investment at birth could expand young adults’ options for education, homeownership, entrepreneurship and retirement. For many young adults, the first consequential financial decisions of adulthood arrive before they have the savings, credit history or family resources to make them from a position of stability. Choices about education, housing, transportation, employment and entrepreneurship…
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Empower Media Exchange Selected for National Journalism Funding Lab
The six-month Local Media Association program will help build sustainable philanthropic support for community-centered journalism in Colorado. Empower Media Exchange (EMX) has been selected to participate in the 2026 national cohort of the Local Media Association’s Lab for Journalism Funding. EMX is one of 20 news organizations from across the country chosen for the intensive…
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Empower Media Exchange Accepted into CoGenerate’s Community of Practice
Strengthening Intergenerational Collaboration to Expand Leadership Opportunities for Youth and Aging Adults Empower Media Exchange (EMX) is pleased to announce its acceptance into the CoGenerate Community of Practice, a national initiative designed to advance intergenerational collaboration and strengthen leadership for youth and aging adults in civic and community settings. EMX joins dozens of mission-aligned organizations engaged…
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The Language of Leadership: Building Cultures Through Better Communication
Toxic workplaces rarely emerge overnight. More often, they develop quietly—through poorly handled feedback, dismissive language or inconsistent communication from leadership. A leader might think they’re being “direct,” when in fact they’re coming across as harsh or condescending. They might believe they’re empowering their team, but their lack of clarity or responsiveness leaves staff feeling unheard.…
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Plugged In Part 6: Colorado’s Road to Cleaner Air, Economic Equity and Electric Futures
The “Plugged In” series has followed the stories of Coloradans navigating the shift to electric vehicles. From first-time buyers to longtime advocates, one theme has echoed through each story: switching to an EV is about far more than just convenience. Making the decision to drive an electric vehicle has tremendous impacts on community health, financial…
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Plugged In Part 5: Electric Vehicles Offer Torque, Tech and a Path to Healthier Communities
Years ago, the concept of an electric vehicles (EVs) would have seemed far-fetched and out of reach for everyday Americans. Today, battery-powered transportation is growing in popularity and accessibility, and the cars that once felt futuristic are well within reach. With ongoing advances in design, efficiency and style, EVs are delivering features that appeal to…
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Plugged In Part 4: The Vehicle Exchange Colorado (VXC) Program is Supercharging Affordability
Colorado has big goals when it comes to electric vehicles, with aspirations to get 1 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road by 2030. In an effort to replace gas-guzzlers with environmentally-friendly cars, trucks and SUVs, the Vehicle Exchange Colorado (VXC) program, launched by the Colorado Energy Office and Department of Revenue, combines generous trade-in…
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The Facts About EV Charging
Electric vehicles can be charged three different ways: Level 1, Level 2, and direct-current fast charging (DCFC). Each EV charging option differs in speed, cost and convenience, shaping how Coloradans plug in on the road and at home. Level 1 chargers use a standard 120-volt outlet – the same as plugging in a lamp. They are…