J.D. Vance grew up in a small, poor city in the Rust Belt of southern Ohio, where he had a front-row seat to many of the social ills plaguing America: a heroin epidemic, failing schools, families torn apart by divorce and sometimes violence. In a searching talk that will echo throughout the country's working-class towns, the author details what the loss of the American Dream feels like and raises an important question that everyone from community leaders to policy makers needs to ask: How can we help kids from America's forgotten places break free from hopelessness and live better lives?

J.D. Vance: America's forgotten working class

America's forgotten working class

Navigating elite spaces as an outsider reveals the nuanced barriers to upward mobility, showcasing the power of social capital.

Childhood trauma's impact is profound, affecting nearly half of low-income kids, perpetuating cycles of despair and dysfunction.

A heartfelt journey from the Rust Belt to Yale Law illustrates how mentorship, resilience, and opportunity can rewrite destinies.