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How Economists Tally Unemployment—and Its Affect on the Black Jobless Rate

by Shani O. Hilton, Hatty Lee on February 23 2012, 9:55AM

January saw a remarkable three-point drop in black joblessness. Economists are skeptical it’s real. But why? Put on your data nerd hat, because we’ve got the explanation.

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis

What Drove a Sudden, Steep Drop in Black Unemployment? Nobody Knows

by Shani O. Hilton on February 9 2012, 9:40AM

Black unemployment dropped a whopping 3 percent in January, fueled by hiring of black men. Economists who’ve tracked black joblessness are waiting for the other shoe to drop—was it a statistical quirk, or is there a jobs renaissance afoot in black America?

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis

What Congress Could Do on Jobs, While Hiding Behind Locked Doors

by Shani O. Hilton on December 9 2011, 10:01AM

Several lawmakes literally hid from thousands who swarmed the Capitol this week to demand action on jobs. Here’s some of the actions they could have long ago taken.

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis

Elected Officials Run and Lock Doors as Jobless Storm Capitol

by Jorge Rivas on December 8 2011, 1:04PM

Jobless demonstrators have stormed Capitol Hill this week, but are seeing (and recording) doors shut in their faces by elected officials, who must vote on an extension of unemployment benefits this month.

Topics: #Occupy, Politics

Got a Hustle to Pay Rent While Jobless? You’re Part of a $1T Economy

by Yvonne Yen Liu on November 4 2011, 9:54AM

Neither the public nor private sector is doing much to create jobs, and those that are popping up aren’t very good ones. So a lot of folks are taking matters into their own hands.

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis

Is President Obama’s Jobs Drumbeat Working?

by Kai Wright on October 14 2011, 11:26AM

No, Obama can’t wave his magic wand and pass bills. But he can use the substantial bully pulpit he occupies to at least force the right conversation. He’s been doing so for weeks, and there are signs that it’s working.

Topics: Jobs Crisis, Kai Wright, Politics

Six Cities Where Black People Are Living in a Depression

by Kai Wright on October 7 2011, 10:48AM

Black unemployment is at levels comparable to the Great Depression in six cities. But then again, black populations in dozens of cities were in acute recessions before the national crisis ever began. The actual numbers are striking.

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis, Kai Wright

Here’s to Occupying Wall Street! (If Only That Were Actually Happening)

by Kai Wright on October 3 2011, 10:05AM

The Occupy Wall Street movement is building steam as protestors battle with NYPD over the right to peaceful assembly. That’s great, but the crisis at hand—crippling economic inequity—is once again lost in the din.

Topics: #Occupy, Economy, Kai Wright

It’s President Obama Who Needs to ‘Stop Complaining’ and Get to Work

by Kai Wright on September 28 2011, 11:51AM

Obama ruffled feathers with a speech telling black leaders to take off their “bedroom slippers” and join the battle for his jobs bill. Funny thing is, that’s just what they were trying to tell him.

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis, Kai Wright, Politics

How Does the American Jobs Act Stand Up for People Of Color?

by Shani O. Hilton on September 9 2011, 3:24PM

While some have a lukewarm reaction to the president’s proposal, others say that elements of the plan could pay off for those who’ve been hardest hit by the bad economy.

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis

Compromise and Crisis Continue in Obama’s Latest Jobs Plan

by Shani O. Hilton on September 7 2011, 10:35AM

Tomorrow’s big jobs speech will feature more tax cuts than stimulus spending, and the GOP is still not into it. Sound familiar? That’s because it is.

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis

A Picture of the Jobs Crisis—in Black, White and Brown

by Hatty Lee, Kai Wright on September 7 2011, 10:20AM

The president has crafted a polite response to an impolite problem. Here’s what the devastation looks like in black and Latino communities—so far.

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis, Kai Wright

Stocks Are Down! Obama’s Unpopular! Wait, Who Cares?!

by Kai Wright on September 2 2011, 12:53PM

Another dismal monthly jobs report and another round of all the wrong questions and concerns. Meanwhile, millions of people continue fighting for survival.

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis, Kai Wright

D.C. Gets Back to Work—and to Its Lame, Half-Hearted Jobs Debate

by Shani O. Hilton on August 31 2011, 9:17AM

House GOP leaders will roll out more so-called jobs ideas this week, in anticipation of the president’s expected proposals next week. None of it is expected to meet the scale of the problem.

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis

Is Your Credit Report Hurting Your Job Search?

by Akiba Solomon on August 15 2011, 9:37AM

A growing number of employers are using credit checks to determine who they hire, promote and fire. Learn how race factors in—and what you can do about it.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, Economy, Jobs Crisis

The Fed’s Bombshell: Our Economy’s Dead Until Congress Creates Jobs

by Imara Jones on August 12 2011, 9:37AM

After months of debate over the nation’s debt, the central bank’s unprecedented interest rates announcement this week was entirely about the jobs crisis. The subtext was clear: politics, not economics stand in the way of recovery.

Topics: Economy, Fiscal Cliff, Jobs Crisis

Senate Bill Would Ban Employers’ Bias Against Out-of-Work Applicants

by Shani O. Hilton on August 4 2011, 9:22AM

Widespread reports suggest would-be employers and placement agencies are weeding out applicants who are unemployed—leaving the long-term jobless with even fewer options.

Topics: Economy, Jobs Crisis