Gibson is among a growing number of Black Americans who say reparations to the descendants of enslaved Africans could address the toll of slavery and the racism and discrimination that has plagued Black people for generations. But local programs could lead to a diluted federal reparations plan that wouldn’t match the necessary investments needed to close the racial wealth gap if federal leaders already see localities implementing such initiatives, said William Darity Jr., a public policy professor at Duke University. Darity, a leading proponent of reparations, said the nation needs to eliminate the $12 trillion wealth gap between Black and white Americans through direct payments.