Despite recent improvements in Black unemployment rates, a new report reveals Black Americans continue to face significant disparities in the labor market, and Virginians are no exception. The report estimates in Virginia alone, Black men need about 16,000 more jobs to reach parity with white men in the workforce, and it shows the racial employment gap remains a costly burden for Black workers. Algernon Austin, director of race and economic Justice at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said while Black unemployment fell to 5.5% in 2022, the lowest rate in over 50 years, the positive statistic obscures deeper issues. ...
