By Bernard Anderson, PhD
Whitney M. Young Professor Emeritus, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Chief Economic Advisor, National Urban League
While employment continued to grow and the unemployment rate has fallen to a 50-year low, the downside of September’s job report is the pause in wage growth. And while Black unemployment is historically low, it persistently remains twice the rate for white Americans.
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Since 2006, the Urban League of Greater Kansas City (Kansas City, MO) has been looking at closing the exposing the socioeconomic gaps between black and white people in Kansas City.
On Thursday, the organization released its latest State of Black Kansas City.
The report showed African Americans in Kansas City made significant gains in social justice, economics and civic engagement overall. The gains have been stagnant in recent years.
The nearly 200-page report shows how to close the gaps and takes an in-depth look at several factors including economics, education, health care, crime social justice and civic engagement.
“The overall society for white people is doing fine. We need to look at the disparities,” said Gwen Grant, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City.
The report found that the median income for African Americans in Kansas City is about 54% less than white counterparts.
The Lorain County Urban League (Elyria, OH) will hold its annual gala at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 11, at the Emerald Event Center in Avon.
The Urban League is celebrating 41 years of service to all of the communities in Lorain County, according to a news release.
The Urban League will highlight hometown heroes at this year's gala.
Since 1978, the Lorain County Urban League has been committed to its mission to empower African Americans and under-served people to thrive through direct service, collaboration and advocacy, according to the release.
The Lorain County Urban League believes there is a role for everyone to play, whether you are a parent, teacher, student, community leader or business leader; more can be achieved when people work together to empower communities and change lives.
The Quad County Urban League (Aurora, IL) or QCUL will host their 2019 Annual Equality Gala “A Toast to the Future” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Chicago Marriott Southwest Hotel, 1200 Burr Ridge Parkway. The black-tie fundraiser supports the organization’s core values of racial justice, civil rights, and economic empowerment. Entertainment headliners are the eclectic and exciting Dirty Muggs of St. Louis. Chairing this year’s Gala is Guy Albertson, President of UPS CACH operations in Hodgkins, Ill.
A new program from the Birmingham Urban League (Birmingham, AL will be available to young men from across the city.
At 4 p.m. Tuesday, the group will announce the launch of the Magic City Boxing Club. CEO William Barnes will make the announcement at Carver High School.
The Birmingham Urban League is partnering with the city of Birmingham, Birmingham City Schools and Round One Boxing to make the program a reality.
“Students who participate in after school activities are more likely to have higher grades, improved physical health, and stray away from harmful activity,” the statement from the group read.
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Sparks flew as Dominique Jackson cut through lengths of rebar to be used in the foundation of the new Linden Community Center.
The 55,000-square-foot facility is set to open late next year, taking the place of the former building at Linden Park.
Jackson, who lives nearby, is working on his career foundation, too, thanks to a Franklin County program that provides initial training for jobs in the construction trades.
“I’m getting the hang of it,” Jackson, 34, said of his new ironworking career. “I’ve got a nice crew teaching me the ropes and everything.”
Jackson was one of 13 people who recently graduated from Building Futures, a 12-week pre-apprenticeship program started in late 2017 by the county, the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Columbus Urban League (Columbus, OH). More than 60 people have graduated, said Bart Logan, spokesman for Franklin County Job and Family Services.
