The Myth That Made Us Presentation with guest speaker Jeff Fuhrer

Join the Social Justice Task Force for an engaging and thought-provoking evening with economist and author Jeffrey Fuhrer, who will explore how powerful but false narratives have shaped—and harmed—the U.S. economy. Drawing from his award-winning book The Myth That Made Us, Jeff will examine enduring myths such as the “self-made man,” the singular corporate focus on profits, and the belief that the United States is a “post-racist” nation. He argues that these narratives have denied opportunity to millions, limiting human potential and holding back our shared economic future.

Jeff will discuss how equal access to opportunity—universal pathways that build human and financial capital—can dramatically improve lives and strengthen the economy for everyone. He will also outline concrete changes needed to help the nation reach its full economic potential. The evening will conclude with a lively and inclusive discussion, welcoming questions and reflections from the audience.

About the Speaker:

Jeff works as a Nonresident Fellow for the Brookings Institution and a Foundation Fellow for the Eastern Bank Foundation. He has recently published The Myth That Made Us (MIT Press 2023), which received the Axiom Business Books Award silver medal in economics. The book explores the link between widely held but false narratives about poverty and race and poor outcomes for many in the U.S. economy.

Jeff previously served as director of research, executive vice president and senior policy advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. He has been an associate economist of the Federal Open Market Committee, and has been active in economic research for more than three decades. He served as an associate editor for the American Economic Review. Married for 44 years Jeff and Mary have three grown children. Fuhrer earned an AB in economics with highest honors from Princeton University. He received his MA and PhD in economics from Harvard University.

All are welcome for this timely conversation at the intersection of faith, justice, and economic opportunity.

For more information, visit https://www.actonc.org/post/2026-mythbookevent

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