Ready to Work, Uprooting Inequity: Black Workers in California

A new research brief, Ready to Work, Uprooting Inequity: Black Workers in California, explores the experience of the Black community in California through a labor and employment lens. This report is based on our analysis of the current and historical census data and follows a similar report released this past March that considered the Black workers in Los Angeles County.

Among other findings, the brief finds:

• Across all levels of education, Black workers experience the highest rates of unemployment. In California, 17% of Black workers are unemployed, almost twice that of white workers.
• Whether working full or part time, Black workers earn only three-quarters of white workers earn.
• 3 in 10 Black workers earn low wages. Low wage is defined as two-thirds of the median hourly wage of an area.

Report findings call for a stabilization of Black families and communities by creating good-paying, quality jobs accessible to Black workers and provide the following recommendation to address this jobs crisis:

1. Support worker movements that improve working conditions.
2. Create policies and programs that create access to jobs for underrepresented workers.
3. Empower agencies and communities to address discrimination and workplace issues.
4. Support and ensure high road business practices

Related Posts:

Ready to Work, Uprooting Inequity: Black Workers in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles Black Worker Center

UCLA Labor Center & the Black Worker Center

Media Links:

Los Angeles Times- Black workers in Los Angeles face a ‘jobs crisis,’ UCLA report says

KTLA- UCLA Report Shows Black Workers in Los Angeles County Facing ‘Jobs Crisis’

Patch North Hollywood- Black Community Faces Job Shortages Crisis in Los Angeles, Study Finds 

People’s World – Fair hiring matters: Fighting back against Black unemployment in Los Angeles

KCRW-FM- Job market for black workers in county called ‘crisis’

Fox 11 Morning News – UCLA study reveals Black jobs crisis

Fortune- Losing The Black Middle Class

laist.com- L.A.’s Black Population is Facing A ‘Jobs Crisis,’ Says UCLA Report

mynewsLA.com- Dismal job prospects in LA County’s African-American community

The Chronicle – New Report Calls for the Elevation of Black Women’s Leadership in Progressive Organizing and Social Justice Movements

The Root- Report: Black Workers in L.A. Face ‘Jobs Crisis’ That’s Causing Decline in Black Community