By 2044, people of color will account for a majority of the U.S. population. In this Brookings Essay, Jennifer Bradley examines efforts in U.S. metropolitan areas to prepare a more diverse workforce. Bradley showcases efforts of organizations in Minneapolis-Saint Paul to close persistent education and employment gaps facing its rapidly growing population. As Europe and countries like Japan face a declining working-age demographic, population growth among people of color has the potential to give the U.S. a competitive advantage in the 21st century economy.