Interview with Illinois Times writer Dean Olsen

The Real Mike Pittman Podcast is back with a must-hear conversation that hits close to home. 📍💬 Joining me this week is award-winning journalist and senior writer for Illinois Times, Dean Olsen 📰—and we’re diving into his powerful article exposing the economic divide between Black and white residents in Springfield, Illinois. 📉⚖️ 🚨 Did you know Springfield ranks SECOND IN THE NATION for the widest income gap between Black and white households? Let that sink in. 🧊😳 In a city that’s home to Abraham Lincoln’s legacy, racial and economic inequality is alive and thriving—and it’s time we talk about it. Dean Olsen, with decades of experience reporting on government, healthcare, policy, and justice, breaks down what’s behind these numbers: ➡️ Generational wealth gaps ➡️ Housing and education inequities ➡️ Systemic barriers and overlooked communities ➡️ What local leaders are (or aren't) doing about it 🧠 Dean’s insights are sharp, his facts are solid, and his passion for truth and justice is clear. He’s covered the statehouse, worked inside health systems, and spent years telling the stories others avoid. This episode pulls no punches. 👊🏾💥 🎧 This one’s for EVERYONE who wants to see real change—not just in Springfield, but across America. 👉 [Podcast Link] 🙌🏾 Tag someone who needs to hear this. Share this post. Join the conversation. Because shining a light on the truth is the first step toward change. 💡✊🏾 #TheRealMikePittman #DeanOlsen #IllinoisTimes #SpringfieldIL #EconomicJustice #BlackWealthGap #TruthToPower #SystemicRacism #CommunityConversations 🏘️📊📰