The 2018 Executive Summary of the State of Black America, a seminal annual publication by the National Urban League, now in its 42nd edition, stands as a pivotal benchmark and source for thought leadership on racial equality in America. This comprehensive report covers a range of vital areas including economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice, and civic participation. It features thoughtful commentary and insightful analysis from prominent figures and thought leaders across various sectors such as politics, corporate, nonprofit, academia, and popular culture.

This year's edition is particularly notable for its theme, "Save Our Cities: Powering the Digital Revolution." It introduces the Digital Inclusion Index, a new component that benchmarks and measures the inclusion of African Americans in the digital economy. This index is built upon three critical pillars of the digital economy: digital skills and occupations (emphasizing the percentage of STEM degrees conferred by race), digital access (highlighting the prevalence of technology incubators for minority startups), and digital policy (including initiatives on smart city projects). Through this report, the National Urban League continues its longstanding commitment to advocating for liberty, justice, and economic empowerment, particularly focusing on securing and safeguarding access to the emerging technological benefits and opportunities for America's historically underserved urban communities.