What Happens When We Raise The Minimum Wage?

FACT: In January 2014, 13 states raised their minimum wage; since then these states added more jobs and have lower unemployment rates than the 36 states that did not raise the minimum wage.

FACT: The U.S. Government could save $7 billion dollars if companies just paid employees a higher minimum wage.

FACT: Federal minimum wage is $7.25 – and some states actually have a lower state wage of $6.25 an hour.

How can anyone, alone or with a family, survive on minimum wage?

FACT: They can’t.

But together we are fighting to change this. In two weeks, states like Arkansas, Alaska, South Dakota, Nebraska and cities like Eureka and Oakland are casting their votes to raise the wage. And Brave New Films is continuing to expose the Koch brothers' fight against increasing the minimum wage.



It's time to #RaiseTheWage, don't you think?

Black Unemployment Drops to 11.0% in September 2014

The United States added 248,000 jobs in September 2014 - making it 55 consecutive months of private sector job growth - and unemployment rate dropped to 5.9 percent.  This is the first time that the rate has fallen below 6% since 2008. 

You can click here to check out the unemployment rate in your state.

There are about 9.3 million unemployed people in the country - and our nation's unemployment metrics. There isn't a reason for ticker-tape parade with these numbers ... but, they do show that the economy is continuing to trend in a positive direction.

The numbers in the Black community are bad!

The unemployment rate in the Black community dropped in September 2014 to 11.0%. This compares to previous months:

• Jul 2013 - 12.6%
• Aug 2012 - 14.1%
• Sep 2011 - 16.0%

The unemployment rate for Black teenagers (age 16-19) is horrific - 30.5%. I remain very appreciative that my 17-year old daughter has been able to find summer and after-school work.

The Labor Department said private companies accounted for virtually the entire 248,000 increase in jobs last month. Employment rose in professional and business services (+ 81k), retail trade (+56k) and health care (+23k). The increase in jobs for September 2014 is above the 213,000 average sustained in the previous 12 months.

What is your opinion of the unemployment data that was released today?

White High School Dropout Has Same Chances of Getting a Job as Black College Graduate

Some have claimed that America is in a post-racial, color-blind era since the election of President Barack Obama. They tell us that the need for race-based affirmative action policies is long-gone. However, those of us in this 'village' beg to differ.

For example, when it comes to employment, a white high school drop-out has the same chance of getting a job as a Black college graduate. That fact alone highlights the level of bias still present in the U.S., but it doesn’t end there.

According to ThinkProgress, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census researched how race impacts education and employment and the result should disabuse anyone of the notion that the U.S. is even close to becoming a post-racial society. The study found that a Black man with an associates degree has the same chance of getting a job as a white man with only a high school diploma.  That is wrong on so many levels.

“At every level of education, race impacts a person’s chance of getting a job,” researcher Tom Allison told ThinkProgress.

This fact is evidenced not only by the overall unemployment rate, but the unemployment rate for Black millennials, which was 16.6 percent in May, as compared to 7.1 percent for white millennials.

What are all the factors contributing to a high unemployment rate for Blacks?

The study attributes the employment gap mainly to hiring discrimination, high incarceration rates for Black people, and African Americans’ lack of inherited wealth from past generations due to a long history of discrimination. Less inherited wealth results in low homeownership rates and high deficits among African Americans: While a college-educated white American has an average net worth of $75,000, a college-educated Black American has a net worth of less than $17,500.

There is a bright light though, considering that, according to Rory O’Sullivan of the Young Invincibles’, Blacks do much better when they obtain advanced degrees. As an example, “a professional degree gives a Black male a 146 percent larger increase in employment opportunities than his white counterparts.”

'Post-racial' my ass!

Related articles

• A Black College Student Has The Same Chances Of Getting A Job As A White High School Dropout
• White High School Drop-Outs Are As Likely To Land Jobs As Black College Students
• Race Matters: Blacks With College Degrees Are Twice As Likely To Be Unemployed As White Or Asian Graduates
• The Colorblind Millennial Generation and the Problem With Being Blind to Race
• Economist: Black Unemployment Stays High Because Blacks Don't Give Up Looking

Obama's Address: 'Time to Pass Bipartisan Legislation to Extend Emergency Unemployment Insurance'

In this week's address, President Obama says Congress should act to extend emergency unemployment insurance for more than one million Americans who have lost this vital economic lifeline while looking for a job.



Do you think that Congress will take bipartisan action to help the long-term unemployed people in America by extending their emergency unemployment benefits? What would you like to see done to create more jobs in America?

Related articles

• Obama to Congress: Extend unemployment insurance - KSDK
• The Quiet Death Of Long-Term Unemployment Insurance In 2013
• Unemployment Insurance: A Brief Overview of Available State Resources

Black Unemployment Drops to 12.6% in July 2013

The United States added 162,000 jobs in July 2013 - making it 41 consecutive months of private sector job growth - and unemployment rate dropped to 7.4 percent.  You can click here to check out the unemployment rate in your state.

There are about 11.5 million unemployed people in the country - and our nation's unemployment metrics.  There isn't a reason for ticker-tape parade with these numbers ... but, they do show that the economy is continuing to trend in a positive direction.

The numbers in the Black community are bad!

The unemployment rate in the Black community dropped in July 2013 to 12.6%. This compares to previous months:

• Jun 2013 - 13.7%
• May 2013 - 13.5%
• Apr 2013 - 13.2%
• Mar 2013 - 13.3%
• Jun 2012 - 14.4%

The unemployment rate for Black teenagers (age 16-19) is horrific - 41.6%. I guess I have more appreciation for my 16-year old daughter being able to find summer employment over the past few months!

The Labor Department said private companies accounted for virtually the entire 162,000 increase in jobs last month. Employment rose in retail trade, food services and drinking places, financial activities, and wholesale trade. The increase in jobs for July 2013 is below the 189,000 average sustained in the previous 12 months.

What is your opinion of the unemployment data that was released today?

Obama's Weekly Address: End the Sequester to Keep Growing the Economy

In his weekly address, President Obama says that businesses have created jobs every month for three years straight – nearly 6.4 million altogether, and have added 246,000 new jobs in February. We must keep this momentum going, and that’s why the President recently met with Republican leaders to discuss how we can replace the harmful, arbitrary budget cuts, called the “sequester,” with balanced deficit reduction. [VIDEO]

Black Unemployment Drops to 14.1% in August 2012

The United States added 96,000 jobs in August 2012 - making it 30 consecutive months of private sector job growth - and unemployment rate dropped to 8.1 percent.  You can click here to check out the unemployment rate in your state.

There are about 12.5 million unemployed people in the country - and our nation's unemployment metrics don't provide Gov. Mitt Romney with the fodder he needs to beat on the head of President Obama.  That won't stop him from trying to do so ... but, any possible movement in the unemployment numbers should be a good thing, shouldn't it?

The numbers in the Black community are bad!

The unemployment rate in the Black community dropped in August 2012 to 14.1%. This compares to previous months:

• Jun 2012 - 14.4%
• Mar 2012 - 14.0%
• Feb 2012 - 14.1%
• Jan 2012 - 13.6%
• Dec 2011 - 15.7%
• Nov 2011 - 15.5%
• Sep 2011 - 16.0%
• Aug 2011 - 16.7%

The Labor Department said private companies accounted for virtually the entire 96,000 increase in jobs last month.  Employment levels stayed about the same for government jobs last month.  Since the beginning of this year, employment growth has averaged 139,000 per month, compared with an average gain of 153,000 in 2011.

Employment increased 28,000 in the food services and drinking places category; while another 27,000 new jobs were created in the professional and technical services.

The health-care and wholesale-trade industries also added 17,000 jobs in August.

What is your opinion of the unemployment data that was released today?

Black Unemployment Crisis Continues; 14.4% Unemployment in June 2012

The United States added 80,000 jobs in June 2012 - making it 28 consecutive months of private sector job growth - and unemployment rate remained at 8.2 percent. U.S. job growth barely picked up in June, the latest sign that economic growth has slowed.

There are about 12.7 million unemployed people in the country - and our nation's unemployment metrics don't provide any positive movement for President Obama as we enter the final months of the presidential campaign against Gov. Romney.

The numbers in the Black community are bad!

The unemployment rate in the Black community rose in June 2012 to 14.4%. This compares to previous months:

• Mar 2012 - 14.0%
• Feb 2012 - 14.1%
• Jan 2012 - 13.6%
• Dec 2011 - 15.7%
• Nov 2011 - 15.5%
• Sep 2011 - 16.0%
• Aug 2011 - 16.7%

The Labor Department said private companies accounted for all of the growth in June payrolls, adding 84,000 jobs. Governments, meanwhile, cut payrolls by 4,000. The federal work force shed 7,000 positions.

Employment increased 47,000 in the professional- and business-services category, led by temporary-help services. Companies sometimes add temps before making permanent hires.

Manufacturing, a bright spot in an otherwise tepid recovery, added 11,000 jobs. The pace of factory hiring has tailed off, though, to an average of 10,000 a month in the second quarter from 41,000 a month in the first.

The health-care and wholesale-trade industries also added jobs.

What is your opinion of the unemployment data that was released today?

Black Unemployment Trickles Down to 14.0% in March 2012

The United States added 120,000 jobs in March 2012 - making it 25 consecutive months of private sector job growth - and unemployment rate ticked down to 8.2 percent. Job growth was widespread last month in the private sector, with large employment gains in professional and business services, health care and social assistance, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, and mining. according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are about 12.7 million unemployed people in the country - and our nation's unemployment is near its lowest rate in almost three years. The trend of positive employment news continues to grow under the leadership of President Obama.

The news is still poor for the Black community.

The unemployment rate in the Black community dipped in March 2012 to 14.0%. This compares to previous months:

• Feb 2012 - 14.1%
• Jan 2012 - 13.6%
• Dec 2011 - 15.7%
• Nov 2011 - 15.5%
• Sep 2011 - 16.0%
• Aug 2011 - 16.7%

The overall message for the US economy is good. This is the 9th straight month with over 100,000 people entering the workforce. However, we are sad to report that the rate of unemployment in the Black community remains disproportionately high. That is why this blog is very happy to see proactive efforts to increase awareness of the power of Black Dollars. We have to look to ourselves to fix this problem!

What is your opinion of the unemployment data that was released today?

Black Unemployment Rate Spikes to 14.1% in February 2012

The United States added 227,000 jobs in February 2012 - making it 24 consecutive months of private sector job growth - and unemployment rate remained at 8.3 percent. Job growth was widespread last month in the private sector, with large employment gains in professional and business services, health care and social assistance, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, and mining. according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are about 12.8 million unemployed people in the country - essentially unchanged from last month. Our nation's unemployment is near its lowest rate in almost three years. The trend of positive employment news continues to grow under the leadership of President Obama.

The news was not positive for the Black community.

The unemployment rate in the Black community grew in February 2012 to 14.1%. This compares to previous months:

• Jan 2012 - 13.6%
• Dec 2011 - 15.7%
• Nov 2011 - 15.5%
• Sep 2011 - 16.0%
• Aug 2011 - 16.7%

The overall message for the US economy is good. This is the eighth straight month with over 100,000 people entering the workforce. However, we are sad to report that the rate of unemployment in the Black community remains disproportionately high. That is why this blog is very happy to see proactive efforts to increase awareness of the power of Black Dollars. We have to look to ourselves to fix this problem!

What is your opinion of the unemployment data that was released today?

Black Unemployment Rate Drops to 13.6% in January 2012

The United States added 243,000 jobs in January 2012 - far exceeding expectations of about 150,000 jobs - and unemployment rate dipped to 8.3 percent. Job growth was widespread last month in the private sector, with large employment gains in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are about 12.8 million unemployed people in the country. The unemployment is the lowest its been in almost three years. The trend of positive employment news continues to grow under the leadership of President Obama.

The news also contained positive progress for the Black community.

The unemployment rate in the Black community took a big dip in January 2012 to 13.6%. This compares to previous months:

• Dec 2011 - 15.7%
• Nov 2011 - 15.5%
• Sep 2011 - 16.0%
• Aug 2011 - 16.7%

The overall message for the US economy is good. This is the seventh straight month with over 100,000 people entering the workforce. The rate of unemployment in the Black community is still out of whack with what we see nationwide, but at least the statistics are trending in a positive direction.

What is your opinion of the unemployment data that was released today?

Black Unemployment Rate Rises to 15.8% in December 2011

The economy added 200,000 jobs last month according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are about 13.1 million unemployed people in the country bringing our overall unemployment rate to 8.5% ... down to its lowest level since February 2009 ... almost three years ago.  This is good news for the re-election prospects of President Obama.

The news is not as rosy for the Black community.

The unemployment rate in the Black community rose in December 2011 to 15.8%.  This compares to previous months:

• Aug 2011 - 16.7%
• Sep 2011 - 16.0%
• Nov 2011 - 15.5%

The overall message for the US economy is good. This is the sixth straight month with over 100,000 people entering the workforce. However, that is still a ridiculously high rate of unemployment for African Americans is a problem that needs to be addressed.

Jobs gained in December 2011 spanned virtually all industries, including: Transportation and warehousing (makes sense with all of the holiday gifts being shipped around the nation); retail trade; manufacturing; health care and mining.

What is your opinion of the unemployment data that was released today?

Black Unemployment Rate Falls to 15.5% in November 2011

The economy added 120,000 jobs last month according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are about 13.3 million unemployed people in the country bringing our overall unemployment rate to 8.6% ... down to its lowest level since March 2009. This is good news for the re-election prospects of President Obama.

The news is not as rosy for the Black community.

The unemployment rate in the Black community did fall from 16.7% (August) to 16.0% (September) to 15.5% in November. However, that is still a ridiculously high rate of unemployment ... that is even worse when you look at the impact on African Americans without a college diploma ... and worse than that for those in the Black community who left school without a high school diploma.

The jobs gained in November were in the following industries: retail trade, leisure and
hospitality, professional and business services, and health care.

Black Unemployment Rate Falls to 16.0% in September 2011

The economy added 103,000 jobs last month according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.   There are about 14 million unemployed people in the country bringing our overall unemployment rate to 9.1% ... same as the previous month.  In fact, the unemployment rate has stayed in a narrow range of 9.0% to 9.2%.   This is not good news for the re-election prospects of President Obama.

It's even worse news for the Black community.

The unemployment rate in the Black community did fall from 16.7% (last month) to 16.0% in September.  However, that is still a ridiculously high rate of unemployment ... that is even worse when you look at the impact on African Americans without a college diploma ... and worse than that for those in the Black community who left school without a high school diploma.

The jobs gained in September were in the following industries: professional and business services, health care, information technology and construction.

Obama's Weekly Address: Passing the American Jobs Act

No more games. No more gridlock. President Obama uses those terms as he seeks immediate action by Congress to deal with the high unemployment rate in our nation. President Obama discusses the need for Congress to pass the American Jobs Act to put more people back to work, and more money back in the pockets of people who are working.





Here is a 3-page 'fact sheet' about the President's plan to create jobs now. What is your take on what President Obama is trying to do?

Black Unemployment Stands at 15.5% in March 2011

The economic news flowing from Washington DC is improved.   The Dow Jones is at its highest levels in years.   The unemployment rate fell to a two-year low of 8.8 percent in March, capping the strongest two months of hiring since the recession began. The rate has fallen a full percentage point over the past four months, the sharpest drop since 1983.

However, the 'rising waters' aren't floating the employment 'boats' in the Black community.   A new employment report released this morning by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows us that the unemployment rate for African Americans dipped slightly to 15.5% in March 2011.

Overall, the number of unemployed persons, at 13.5 million ... as 216,000 more people went to work in March.
 
What do these numbers mean to you?

Black Unemployment Drops to 15.7% in January 2011

The economic news that flowed from Washington DC was mixed today ... however, it still is a disappointing metric for the Black community harder.  A new employment report released this morning by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows us that the unemployment rate for African Americans dipped slightly from 16.1% in September 2010 to 15.7% in January 2011.

Overall, the number of unemployed persons, at 13.9 million, down 600,000 in January.  The overall national unemployment rate ... now at 9.0% ... is at its lowest level since April 2009.

What do these numbers mean to you?

Weekly Address: Tax Cuts and Unemployment Insurance

With President Obama visiting troops in Afghanistan, Vice President Biden says Congress must extend both the middle class tax cuts and unemployment insurance for the sake of those families and the broader economy.

Black Unemployment Dips Slightly to 16.1% in September 2010

The negative economic news continues to flow from Washington DC ... and it is hitting the Black community harder than anyone.  A new employment report released this morning by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows us that the unemployment rate for African Americans dipped slightly from 16.3% in August 2010 to 16.1% in September 2010.

Overall, the number of unemployed persons, at 14.8 million, was essentially unchanged in September.  The unemployment rate didn't change over the past month ... it's now 9.6%. There was some positive news with private employers hiring increasing by 64,000 jobs last month.  Since its most recent low in December 2009, private-sector employment has risen by 827,000.

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) today released the following statement on the September jobs report:

“When President Obama took office, we were on the verge of another Great Depression, losing 800,000 private sector jobs a month. The September jobs report demonstrates that we have turned our economy around and are creating jobs. We would like to see the growth at a faster pace, but you can’t discount the numbers—this year alone, we added more private sector jobs than during eight years of Republican Majority and the Bush Presidency.

“While we still have a long way to go before our economic recovery is complete, Democrats are committed to doing everything possible to move our country forward. Our Make it in America agenda has focused on rebuilding the economy here at home, cutting taxes and boosting lending for small businesses that will drive our economy forward, closing tax loopholes that encourage companies to ship jobs overseas, and renewing our commitment to boosting the domestic manufacturing sector."

What do these numbers mean to you?