This paper examines whether government cash transfers promote financial inclusion in the United States. Using variation in federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) schedules, I show that income support encourages households to enter the formal banking system and reduces reliance on alternative financial services, with stronger responses among historically underserved racial groups. However, these gains are concentrated on entry-level banking outcomes rather than on credit, mortgage, digital banking, or savings behaviors. The findings suggest that while income support can ease liquidity constraints and foster initial inclusion, deeper financial integration requires complementary policies that address structural and technological barriers.

We examine whether visibility shocks can raise awareness of gender inequality by studying the impact of women’s soccer team performances in Latin America. Our strategy exploits quasi-random exposure created by the overlap between major international tournaments and the timing of Latinobarómetro survey interviews. Individuals interviewed shortly after a national team victory are about 10 percent more likely to perceive gender inequality in their country, while those interviewed after a defeat are about 4 percent less likely to do so, particularly men. Draws show no effect. Impacts are strongest for high-stakes competitions, such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and for large-margin wins. Complementary evidence from the 2023 European Social Survey supports these patterns, with similar increases in perceived labor market inequality following women’s team victories, especially in countries with high baseline support for equality. While victories raise awareness of inequality, they produce limited shifts in deeper normative beliefs about gender roles.

Can large-scale socio-political events influence organizational outcomes like hiring? This paper documents how firms' hiring rates shifted across racial groups following the 2020 George Floyd protests. These protests were not significantly correlated with pre-existing hiring trends, economic conditions, or most demographic characteristics. Using a difference-in-differences approach with continuous treatment and an event study design, I find that counties with higher protest intensity experienced a decline in Black hiring rates over the two years following the protests, with no significant change for Hispanic or Asian groups. White hiring rates declined in 2020 but rebounded in the following years. The negative effect on Black hiring is not explained by political orientation, urbanization, racial bias, or labor supply and demand. It is concentrated in large firms and in counties with small Black communities, with no effect where Black representation is higher. Finally, protest effects vary by industry, with declines in health care and social assistance and increases in arts and entertainment.