Data & Research
Opening a Retirement Account Is Not Enough to Close the Black Retirement Divide
Racial economic inequality follows Black Americans across the life course. In 2022, 22 percent of Black children lived in poverty, compared with 10 percent of white children. Among adults ages…
Digging Deeper: 2026 Senate Democratic Caucus Diversity Numbers
On July 31, 2026, the Senate Democratic Caucus released an update of its demographic data on Democratic staff (find 2026 numbers here and 2025 numbers here). The analysis below ranks…
How OBBBA is Changing Higher Ed Access for Black Students
In July 2025, Congressional Republicans passed, and President Donald Trump signed, a partisan budget reconciliation package that will reshape the American economy and further erode the social safety net. These…
The Reality of Racial Economic Inequality for Black Retirees
Racial economic inequality has shaped the lives of most African Americans, and it continues into the “golden years” of retirement. In 2022, the typical white family held about $285,000 in…
Unrepresented: Black and Latino Leadership Among Senate Committee Top Staff
While senators make the final decisions for their offices, top committee staff wield significant influence due to their deep subject matter expertise in specific policy areas. Corporations, advocacy organizations, news…
Black Fatherhood and the Economics of Family Security
Father’s Day is a celebration of fathers, grandfathers, and father figures. It is also an opportunity to examine the economic conditions that shape Black fatherhood. Being present and involved is…
Motherhood, Work, and the Black Economy
For Mother’s Day, the Joint Center released a policy snapshot titled Motherhood, Work, and the Black Economy. Black mothers are central to the economic security of Black children and families.…
H.R.1. and Its Impact on Black Households Through Taxes and Social Programs
The Joint Center released a fact sheet, H.R.1 and Its Impact on Black Households Through Taxes and Social Programs, to provide an overview of key changes, its impact on African…
How State Policymakers and Community Leaders Can Help Close the Federal AI Policy Gap for Black Entrepreneurs
This brief, How State Policymakers and Community Leaders Can Help Close the Federal AI Policy Gap for Black Entrepreneurs, examines the current state of Black entrepreneurship at the dawn of…
The Economic State of Black Women in the United States
By Cantrell Dumas The policy snapshot, The Economic State of Black Women in the United States, explores the continuing influence of broader structural and historical factors in shaping economic security…