The way society responds to the issues of disadvantaged groups is inherently flawed because it disregards equity in favor of equality. Yes, we all strive towards judging individuals based on their achievements rather than their background; that is equality. Yet, the means to get to that point requires allocating resources tailored towards the specific needs of disadvantaged groups; that is equity. Treating individuals the same under the guise of “fairness” disregards their unique character and circumstance. If you were to provide bikes to alleviate transportation demands, giving a child and an adult the same one would be disastrous. But under a system that biases equality, the child would have too large of a bike, or the adult would be stuck with a small bike. It is not an efficient use of collective resources. The premise of equality of opportunity is inherently equity in solutions. These blanket solutions, such as providing temporary relief in the form of physical goods, do not target systemic issues, like a lack of education, that caused the problem in the first place. Continual investment into tangible items rather than people has historically yielded poor returns. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome. So why have we devoted so much of society’s resources to the former instead of the latter? Long-term strategic investments into community programs that empower individuals to make decisions are the best use of collective funds. These investments inspire others to take action and magnify that investment into a broader community. Building these educational, cultural, and economic institutions helps diversify the skillsets of society. As we transition into a service-based economy, workforce education challenges are the hardest part of giving individuals opportunities to succeed. Tasks become specialized and complex, requiring a new way of training employees. Yet, our current framework of helping disadvantaged communities is stuck in the past, an era where manufacturing physical products drove the economy. Time is a limited resource we all have; it is the great equalizer. If we are to devote that time to developing others and building relationships, that premise of solidarity passes onto others. The world needs mavericks and innovators who follow their passion and push the envelope of knowledge to selflessly invest in others. But sometimes, those innovators need a helping hand at their low point to kickstart their passions. The contributions of one individual can only go so far; rather, the institutions we build, the norms we set, and the standard practices we establish are what endure beyond our tenure. The people who we invest in are our legacy; they are our future.