WASHINGTON, D.C. – In observance of Black History Month, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Vice Chairman designate of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, released a fact sheet detailing the economic well-being of the black community. Economic conditions have improved since the height of the Great Recession when the unemployment rate for black Americans peaked at 16.7 percent. While the figure has fallen from that peak, the rate for black workers remains above 13 percent, indicating that the recovery has been uneven.

Senator Casey said, “As we honor Black History Month and the tremendous strides the Black Community has made, we would be remiss not to call attention to the ongoing impact of the Great Recession. African American workers account for 12 percent of the labor force, yet they make up 25 percent of the long-term unemployed. This disparity must be remedied. Congress has an obligation to ensure that the economic recovery boosts employment prospects for all Americans. The drop in the unemployment rate to 5.1 percent for African American workers with a bachelor’s degree underscores the crucial role that education plays in creating opportunity and makes clear the immediate need to improve access to higher education.”

The full fact sheet is available here.

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