We’ve all heard it before: “If you work hard enough, you’ll succeed.” But we know that’s not the whole story. That’s why UpTogether is proud to join Income Movement’s Myth of Meritocracy campaign — an effort to challenge the idea that success is solely based on individual effort and hard work.

The truth is, not everyone starts from the same place. More than 134 million people in the U.S. are living paycheck to paycheck, not because they aren’t working hard, but because the system isn’t built to support everyone equally. Barriers like unequal access to education, housing, and healthcare make it harder for some people to get ahead, no matter how hard they try.

This campaign is about setting the record straight. We’ll be sharing real stories from people who have faced these challenges firsthand — not to highlight failure, but to show how the system creates these obstacles. By raising these voices, we hope to shift the conversation and spark change toward a more just and equitable economy.

At UpTogether, we believe in a future where everyone has the resources and opportunities they need to thrive — and that’s exactly what drives our work. Through our approach, we’re working to change the policies, systems, and beliefs that keep people in cycles of poverty. We invest directly in families and individuals through no-strings-attached cash, trusting them to make the best decisions for themselves. We also amplify stories and data to show that investing in people works — and to push for broader systems change. 

Our involvement in the Myth of Meritocracy campaign is a natural extension of this work, reinforcing the truth that people’s success isn’t just about hard work, it’s about dismantling the barriers that stand in the way.

Join us as we work to dismantle the myth of meritocracy and push for an economy that works for all of us — not just a privileged few. Follow us on social media to stay updated on the campaign, hear powerful stories, and join the conversation. Your voice matters — share our posts and help us spread the message that true success starts with equity, not just hard work.