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Farmer School econ major wins AEA essay award

C.J. Walker

A Farmer School senior has been named the winner of the American Economic Association's Andrew Brimmer Undergraduate Essay Prize.

Senior C.J. Walker’s essay, “Analysis on Black American Wealth,” was written in response to the essay contest’s prompt of discussing the economic well-being of Black Americans. The $1,000 prize was established to honor Andrew Brimmer, the first Black member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

“It is truly an honor to be the recipient of the Andrew Brimmer Essay Award. Having the opportunity to do research on economic inequality was a great way to display both my passion for macroeconomics and understanding inequality when it comes to Black Americans,” Walker said. “I would like to thank the economics department for all of their help and for instilling in me the skills and mindset for me to accomplish this feat.”

Economics department chair Charles Moul noted, "With his analytical talents and people skills, C.J. exemplifies so many different and invaluable strengths of our strongest majors. This prize is a wonderful recognition of how economics can help address some of our nation's most difficult challenges, and I believe that C.J. has exactly the training and intellect to make his mark in the field. We are extraordinarily proud of him."  

Walker is double-majoring in economics and mathematics, writing his senior thesis within the Economics Departmental Honors program. He will be going to work as a research associate at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland after graduating in May.