Who you know: The role of social capital in uplifting young Americans

The ability to create and seize opportunities for upward mobility often relies not only on individual skills and knowledge but also on social networks—in other words, who you know. The role of social capital has received increasing attention from policymakers in recent years. But what is it? How can we measure it? And above all, how can social capital be used to increase the chances of upward mobility for young Americans, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds?

On May 26, the Center on Children and Families hosted a solutions-oriented event to consider these questions. The event opened with a presentation and discussion of a new research report focused on social capital and access to higher education. A panel of practitioners followed, discussing how their respective organizations leverage social capital to support marginalized young people.

Viewers submitted questions by emailing events@brookings.edu or join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #WhoYouKnow.