2023 Report
The 2023 State of Black America report, titled "Democracy In Peril: Confronting the Threat Within," is a critical and timely examination of the challenges facing Black Americans in the current socio-political climate. This 47th edition, published by the National Urban League, continues a tradition of insightful analysis and thought leadership on racial equality in America, a tradition that began in 1976 under Vernon E. Jordan Jr.'s stewardship. The report addresses the alarming rise of far-right and domestic extremism and its impact on marginalized communities, democracy, and civil liberties in the United States.
This year's report shines a light on the underground spread of white supremacy and the mainstreaming of dangerous rhetoric that incites violence and racism. It underscores the infiltration of far-right extremists into crucial sectors of society, including the military, law enforcement, and the political system, and their advocacy for the erasure of civil liberties. The report collaborates with the Southern Poverty Law Center and other organizations to provide quantified data on racial violence, the effects of hate speech on public attitudes, and the growing domestic threat posed by white supremacists.
The State of Black America 2023 serves as a crucial call to action, urging a collective response to minimize and combat the extremist movement that threatens the very fabric of American society and the freedoms won during the Civil Rights Movement. It presents a comprehensive view of the current state of racial inequity across various systems in America, such as economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice, and civic participation. This executive summary and the full report aim to raise awareness and drive meaningful change in addressing these systemic inequities and the rising tide of extremism.
Executive Summary
Since its first appearance in 1976 under the stewardship of the late Mr. Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., the organization’s fifth president, the State of Black America® remains one of the most highly-anticipated benchmarks and sources for thought leadership around racial equality in America.
The report explores the inequities across America’s economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice, and civic participation systems through research and the words of our contributors. Each edition contains penetrating commentary and insightful analysis from recognized authorities and leading figures in politics, the corporate and tech sectors, the nonprofit arena, academia, and popular culture ..
Learn more DownloadOn January 20, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
Read moreProject CODE's (Collaborative Organizations to End Domestic Extremism) partners congratulate the National Urban League's legacy of releasing The State of Black America report since 1976 and bringing prescient issues to the public square!
Read moreWe stand at a pivotal moment in American history to make transformational impacts that will accelerate the clean energy transition, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and deliver economic-focused restorative justice to Black, Brown, and underserved communities. These communities have been disproportionately impacted by our nation’s energy system for decades and remain the most concerned about the climate imperative.
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