Economic Policy

The Joint Center’s economic policy program identifies challenges and opportunities for advancing the economic status of Black communities. See below for research, analysis, and activities related to economic policy.

Joint Center Vice President Speaks to TIME Magazine About The Significant Barriers Black Businesses Are Facing During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Joint Center Vice President Jessica Fulton spoke to TIME Magazine about how Black businesses are facing significant barriers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.e Several Black businesses weren’t able to take advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program—an issue the Joint Center focused on in our online briefing on Black businesses, access to capital, and future stimulus proposals.…

The Impact of the HEROES Act on Black Communities

Last Friday, U.S. House Democrats passed a $3 trillion bill to address economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic—the HEROES Act. Economic Support for Individuals: African American unemployment more than doubled in April alone (from 6.7% in March to 16.7% in April), and the HEROES Act attempts to provide economic relief to families. The bill extends…

Joint Center Briefing on Black Businesses, Access to Capital, and Future Stimulus Proposals

On Thursday, May 14, the Joint Center hosted an online briefing on fair and equal access to capital for Black businesses in COVID-19 stimulus legislation. The briefing addressed the structural inequities Black businesses face and explored concrete ways that future stimulus proposals can best help Black businesses thrive in the post-COVID-19 economy. The expert panelists…

Joint Center Vice President Joins Webinar Conversation on ‘Surviving COVID-19’s Economic Impact While Black’

On Wednesday, May 13, Joint Center Vice President Jessica Fulton joined other leading Black economists to discuss the COVID-19 crisis and its economic impact on Black communities. Other panelists include Groundwork Collaborative Managing Director of Policy and Research Janelle Jones and Howard University Professor in the Department of Economics and Chief Economist to the AFL-CIO…

Joint Center Vice President to Join Webinar Conversation on ‘Surviving COVID-19’s Economic Impact While Black’

On Wednesday, May 13, Joint Center Vice President Jessica Fulton will join other leading Black economists to discuss the COVID-19 crisis and its economic impact on Black communities. Other panelists include Groundwork Collaborative Managing Director of Policy and Research Janelle Jones and Howard University Professor in the Department of Economics and Chief Economist to the…

Joint Center Signs Letter Urging Congress to Support Access to Affordable Broadband Internet in a Upcoming COVID-19 Stimulus Package

The Joint Center joined over 200 businesses and organizations in signing a letter to House and Senate leadership urging Congress “support access to affordable broadband internet in forthcoming COVID-19 stimulus package.” The letter signing, which was released by Public Knowledge, includes signatures from Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, HBCU Innovation Center, NAACP, National Skills…

April 27 COVID-19 Policy & Black Communities Roundup

This roundup reviews recent COVID-19 policy developments that affect Black communities. Click here for our COVID-19 policy page, which is constantly updated. Last week, Congress passed and the President signed a $484 billion stimulus package which also required that federal officials disclose available racial data on COVID-19. The Joint Center hosted U.S. House Ed and Labor Chair…

Joint Center on Impact on Black Southerners of Premature Opening of Southern States

On April 23, Joint Center President Spencer Overton participated in a Virtual Press Conference hosted by Black Voters Matter responding to plans by Southern Governors to open their economies despite the continued threat of the coronavirus in their states. Spencer pointed out that 55% of African Americans live in the South, and that they are…

Apr. 20 COVID-19 Policy & Black Communities Roundup

This roundup reviews recent COVID-19 policy developments that affect Black communities. Click here for our COVID-19 policy page, which is constantly updated. Last week, Anthony Fauci met with the CBC, record unemployment claims continued, and the Joint Center hosted an online briefing on accessible vote-by-mail and safe in-person voting for Black communities with Stacey Abrams and top voting…

Apr. 13 COVID-19 Policy & Black Communities Roundup

This roundup reviews recent COVID-19 policy developments that affect Black communities. Click here for our COVID-19 policy page, which is constantly updated. Last week, the Washington Post published the Joint Center’s op-ed calling on the CDC to release racial data on COVID-19 deaths, and the Administration acknowledged that the coronavirus is hitting Black communities particularly hard. Survey…