2022 Report
The Executive Summary 2022 and Equality Index 2022 present critical insights into the state of racial equality and the challenges faced by Black and Brown communities in America. The Executive Summary 2022, titled "Under Siege: The Plot to Destroy Democracy," highlights the persistent systemic racism affecting Black Americans since their arrival in the U.S. and emphasizes the ongoing political assaults on voting rights disproportionately impacting these communities.
The National Urban League's mission, centered on economic empowerment, is encapsulated in the Equality Index, which documents progress towards this goal for Black and Hispanic Americans in relation to whites. The 2022 Equality Index for Black America stands at 73.9%, indicating that African Americans are missing about 26% of the "pie" or full equality with whites. This index is a comprehensive measure that encompasses economics, health, education, social justice, and civic engagement. Each category is weighted based on its importance, and the weighted averages are used to calculate the overall index, offering a detailed view of racial disparities across different aspects of life.
Together, these documents underscore the urgency and significance of addressing systemic inequities and advancing racial justice in America.
Executive Summary
When the National Urban League produced the first The State of Black America® in 1976, the report captured the plight of a people who had been victims of systemic racism since arriving on the shores of this nation. More than a century after enslaved people were freed at the end of the civil war, the political leadership in this country had failed to help Black Americans secure equal rights entitled to all Americans.
Politicians, including the President, had also failed to adequately capture and address the systemic barriers to equitable employment, health, housing, education, social justice, civic participation, and economic opportunity. Out of this, the State of Black America was born ..
Learn more DownloadEquality Index
The Equality Index 2022 presents an essential analysis of racial disparities in America, focusing on the progress of Black and Hispanic communities in achieving parity with their white counterparts. This report, integral to the National Urban League’s mission of economic empowerment, utilizes a unique methodology to quantify inequalities across key sectors: economics, health, education, social justice, and civic engagement.
With a comprehensive and insightful approach, it reveals that the 2022 Equality Index for Black America stands at 73.9%, underscoring a significant gap in achieving full equality. This index serves as a critical tool for understanding the depth of systemic challenges and framing policies for racial equity.
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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