September Jobs Report Analysis

Joint Center analysis of September 2018 Black Workforce Jobs Numbers on September 7, 2018.

The Joint Center organized an online conversation on the implications of the latest Employment Situation Report for Black communities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases data on the first Friday of every month that provides insight into key indicators like the national unemployment rate and number of jobs created over the month. These figures give insights about the economic health of the country.

Harin Contractor, the Joint Center’s lead on workforce development and a former economic advisor to U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, led a conversation to dive into the numbers and to get a more complete picture of work in Black communities. Harin was joined by Angela Hanks, director of Postsecondary and Economic Success at CLASP, and Tazra Mitchell, senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Angela and Tazra provided deep insight into policy proposal that can provide pathways for African Americans to see greater economic gain.