A chronicle of the lives and economic struggles of two families in Milwaukee, Wisconsin â€

"Two American Families: 1991-2024" is a "knockout documentary" (The New York Times) chronicling the economic struggles of two Milwaukee families—one Black, one white—over three decades. From 1991 to 2024, the Stanleys and Neumanns have battled poverty amidst a changing U.S. economy, marked by global shifts and lower-wage work, raising unsettling questions about America's economic future.

With profound intimacy, this FRONTLINE film reveals how these families and their now-grown children have navigated six presidential administrations, facing continuous challenges. As Terry Neumann notes, "It's like we haven't come very far," yet Jackie Stanley declares, "I won't give up." Directed by Tom Casciato and Kathleen Hughes, it offers a powerful window into enduring hardship.