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.
December Jobs Data Shows Loss for Black Women
In December, the unemployment rate for Black workers decreased slightly to 9.9 percent, down from 10.3 percent in November 2020. This rate is above the national unemployment rate of 6.7 percent and still far above the 6.0 percent unemployment rate Black workers saw in February 2020. Overall, Black workers were just slightly less likely to…
Joint Center President Joins AARP’s Panel on ‘Equity, Inclusion, and a New World of Work’ at The Atlantic Festival
Joint Center President Spencer Overton joined AARP’s panel, Equity, Inclusion, and a New World of Work, at the virtual Atlantic Festival. During the discussion, Spencer spoke about digital technologies that are transforming work, increased utilization of autonomous robots, and the significance of digital skills and remote work especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other panelists included…
Watch Joint Center Vice President on the ‘Social Security & Civil Rights: A Social Contract’ Panel
Joint Center Vice President Jessica Fulton joined the panel, Social Security & Civil Rights: A Social Contract, at AARP and Latinos for a Secure Retirement’s 9th Annual Retiring with Dignity Summit. During the discussion, Jessica talked about the importance of having universal retirement security programs to ensure Black communities aren’t counted out. She also pointed…
Joint Center Hosts ‘Pandemic Relief Priorities for Black Workers’ Twitter Chat with Experts
On September 11, the Joint Center hosted a Twitter chat with experts on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Black workers, and what should be doing about it. The experts included Joint Center Vice President Jessica Fulton, Groundwork Collaborative Managing Director of Policy & Research Janelle Jones, Center for American Progress Senior Economist Gbenga Ajilore,…
Sustain Black Businesses
Black businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 26% decline in the number of active Black business owners between February and May 2020.1 The federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program—which issues forgivable loans to keep businesses open and employees on payrolls—failed to adequately support Black businesses, in part through its design. Policymakers…
Pandemic Relief Priorities for Black Communities
By LaShonda Brenson Ph.D., Jessica Fulton, and Spencer Overton While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately harm Black communities in the United States, Congress and the Trump Administration have failed to come to an agreement on a fourth legislative package that will bring relief to millions in our nation.1 Granted, the relief package should direct…
Provide Financial Support for Black Workers
Black workers are over-represented in public transit, childcare and social services, health care, trucking, warehouse, and postal service, and many other frontline occupations deemed “essential.”1 Despite this work, Black communities have experienced high rates of both job and income loss. In June 2020, 15.4% of Black workers were looking for but unable to find work.2…
Joint Center Vice President Joins Washington Center for Equitable Growth Panel on Economic Inequality
Joint Center Vice President Jessica Fulton joined a panel at a virtual convening co-hosted by the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, the Ford Foundation, and the Omidyar Network. The panel, Addressing the Fragilities and Structural Barriers that Exacerbate Economic Inequality and Weaken Our Economy, explored “the ideas and policies that will help level the playing…
Investing in Black Economists and Centering Black Communities in Economic Policy
The pandemic and the killing of George Floyd and many others have highlighted racial inequity. Even if we develop a vaccine soon and enact effective policing reform, however, systemic challenges will persist. Addressing systemic anti-Blackness in economics is of the entire effort to dismantle systemic racism. First, we need to invest more in supporting and…
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.…