The recession is taking a toll on most Americans and has resulted in job losses not seen in almost 25 years. There are less jobs available, but black men have long faced limited employment prospects and disproportionately high rates of unemployment. The current degree of job loss among black men is particularly alarming. These losses will likely only increase as economic instability continues. To address this crisis, policymakers are actively focused on creating more jobs, but the issues that affect black men go beyond job creation. We must also address racial discrimination, high rates of incarceration, the impact of criminal records on job prospects, and limited educational attainment.
Please join the Center for American Progress for a discussion that will explore the root causes of black men’s difficulties in the labor market and examine policy solutions that will reduce inequities and promote equal opportunity. Speakers will address the current status of black men’s labor market participation; race-based employment discrimination; barriers to employment posed by criminal records; and relevant legislative approaches to eliminating barriers to work.
Featured Panelists:
Algernon Austin, Director of the Race, Ethnicity, and Economy Program, Economic Policy Institute
Barbara Arnwine, Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Neil Bomberg, National League of Cities
Maurice Emsellem, Policy Director, National Employment Law Project
Moderated by:
Alexandra Cawthorne, Research Associate, Center for American Progress
A light lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.
Click here to RSVP for this event
Location
Center for American Progress 1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor Washington, DC 20005
Map & Directions Nearest Metro: Blue/Orange Line to McPherson Square or Red Line to Metro Center
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