Analysis: European Americans unemployment rate rises slightly to 3.8 percent. Asian Americans decreased 50 basis points and Latino Americans increased 10 basis points from March, respectively. African America’s unemployment rate increased for the third straight month with a 10 basis points from March. African, European, and Latino Americans unemployment rates are at their highest over the past five months.
AFRICAN AMERICAN EMPLOYMENT REVIEW
AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN:
Unemployment Rate – 5.6%
Participation Rate – 69.2%
Employed – 9,918,000
Unemployed – 586,000
African American Men (AAM) saw a decrease in their unemployment rate by 50 basis points in April. The group had a negligible decrease in their participation rate in April by 10 basis points. African American Men added 48,000 jobs in April and saw their unemployed drop by 55,000.
AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN:
Unemployment Rate – 6.1%
Participation Rate – 61.2%
Employed – 10,262,000
Unemployed – 663,000
African American Women saw an increase by 100 basis points in April. The group increased their participation rate in April by 30 basis points. African American Women saw lost 38,000 jobs in April and saw their unmployed increase by 106,000. The number of African American Women employed is at a five month low and number of unemployed at a five month high.
AFRICAN AMERICAN TEENAGERS:
Unemployment Rate – 19.6%
Participation Rate – 28.3%
Employed – 610,000
Unemployed – 149,000
African American Teenagers unemployment rate decreased by 120 basis points. The group saw their participation rate decreased by 260 basis points in April. African American Teenagers saw their lost 45,000 jobs in April and saw their number of unemployed also decrease 23,000.
African American Men-Women Job Gap: African American Women currently have 344,000 more jobs than African American Men in April. This is a decrease from 430,000 in March. For the second straight month, this is the lowest ever reported gap by HBCU Money since we began tracking the data.
CONCLUSION: The overall economy added 177,000 jobs in April while African America lost 36,000 jobs. African American Women have shedded 304,000 jobs since February dropping their employed to the lowest number in the past five months for the second straight month. From New York Times, “U.S. employers added 177,000 jobs in April, the Labor Department reported on Friday. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent. Both numbers, which demonstrate that the U.S. labor market remains in good condition, are based on surveys taken in the immediate wake of the Trump administration’s move in early April to institute the highest level of tariffs on imports since the 1930s. The gain extended the streak of U.S. job growth to 52 months.”
Analysis: European Americans unemployment rate slips lower to 3.7 percent. Asian Americans increased 30 basis points and Latino Americans decreased 10 basis points from February, respectively. African Americans unemployment rate increased 20 basis points from February.
AFRICAN AMERICAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BY GENDER & AGE
AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN: 6.1%
AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN: 5.1%
AFRICAN AMERICAN TEENAGERS: 20.8%
AFRICAN AMERICAN PARTICIPATION BY GENDER & AGE
AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN: 69.3%
AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN: 60.9%
AFRICAN AMERICAN TEENAGERS: 30.9%
Analysis: African American Men saw a increase in their unemployment rate by 60 basis points and African American Women after three months of unchanged unemployment rate saw a increase by 30 basis points in March, respectively. African American Men increased their participation rate in March by 100 basis points, their five month high. African American Women decreased their participation rate in March by 180 basis points, their lowest participation rate in the past five months. African American Teenagers unemployment rate increased by 160 basis points. African American Teenagers saw their participation rate increase by 30 basis points in March, their highest participation rate in the past five months for the second straight month.
African American Men-Women Job Gap: African American Women currently have 430,000 more jobs than African American Men in March. This is a decrease from 793,000 in February. This is the lowest ever reported gap by HBCU Money since we began tracking the data.
CONCLUSION: The overall economy added 228,000 jobs in March while African America lost 176,000 jobs. This was led by African American Women losing 266,000 jobs in March dropping their employed to the lowest number in the past five months. From Reuters, “The U.S. economy added far more jobs than expected in March, but President Donald Trump’s sweeping import tariffs could undermine the labor market’s resilience in the months ahead amid sagging business confidence and a stock market selloff.”
“Paradise is one’s own place, One’s own people, One’s own world, Knowing and known. Perhaps even Loving and loved.” – Octavia Butler
The declining marriage rates among African Americans are increasingly recognized as a significant factor holding back wealth accumulation within the community. This trend has profound implications for economic stability and intergenerational wealth transfer. Understanding the connection between marriage and wealth, along with relevant statistics, sheds light on this critical issue.
Married couples generally experience greater financial stability than single individuals. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, married couples tend to have higher median household incomes. In 2021, the median household income for married couples was approximately $100,000, compared to about $60,000 for single-parent households, which disproportionately include African American families.
Research has shown that marriage contributes significantly to wealth accumulation. A study by the Institute for Family Studies found that households headed by married couples have about three to four times the wealth of those headed by single individuals. Specifically, Black married couples had a median net worth of $131,000 in 2019, compared to only $29,000 for Black single individuals. This disparity highlights the financial advantages of marriage in building wealth.
From an economic development perspective, marriage plays a crucial role in the transfer of wealth between generations. Households with married parents are better positioned to pass down assets. A report from the Federal Reserve in 2019 indicated that only 45% of Black households had any wealth to pass on, compared to 70% of white households. The lack of marriage in the African American community limits opportunities for families to create and sustain intergenerational wealth.
It also has acute impact on social development within the African American community. Marriage can provide emotional and social stability, which is vital for sound financial decision-making. Couples often collaborate on budgeting, saving, and investing, leading to better financial outcomes. According to a Pew Research Center study, married couples are more likely to engage in long-term financial planning, further enhancing their wealth-building capacity.
The decline in marriage rates among African Americans is linked to systemic issues, including economic inequality, high incarceration rates, and historical trauma. The National Center for Family & Marriage Research reports that the marriage rate for African Americans has dropped significantly over the past few decades, from 60% in the 1960s to just 29% in 2021. Addressing these systemic barriers is essential for promoting stable relationships and supporting marriage as a pathway to wealth.
Cultural perceptions around marriage also play a role. While many African Americans value family and community, there may be less emphasis on traditional marriage structures. However, promoting awareness of the economic benefits of marriage within the community could encourage individuals to consider its advantages for wealth accumulation and stability.
Ways HBCUs Can Help Promote Black Marriage
HBCUs can play a pivotal role in promoting marriage within the African American community by implementing several strategies:
Educational Programs: HBCUs can offer workshops and seminars focused on relationship skills, financial literacy, and the benefits of marriage. By educating students on effective communication, conflict resolution, and financial planning, these programs can foster healthier relationships.
Mentorship and Counseling: Establishing mentorship programs that connect students with African American married couples can provide positive role models. Counseling services that focus on relationship dynamics and conflict resolution can also support students in building strong partnerships.
Community Engagement: HBCUs can organize community events that celebrate marriage and family life, encouraging students to engage with positive narratives around marriage. These events can include discussions, panels, and social activities that promote the value of committed relationships.
Collaborative Research: HBCUs can engage in research initiatives that explore the factors influencing marriage rates in the African American community. Understanding these dynamics can inform policies and programs aimed at supporting healthy relationships.
Scholarships and Incentives: Creating scholarship programs for students who participate in marriage enrichment programs can incentivize students to invest in their relationships while also promoting the value of African American marriage within the community.
Marriage Endowments: HBCU alumni can partner with the UNCF and Thurgood Marshall Fund to create an endowment that provides head start capital for African American marriages among their alumni. This head start capital can be disbursed at once or over a set number of years ensuring that couples get off to a financially stable start.
The decline in marriage rates among African Americans poses significant challenges to wealth accumulation and economic stability. By addressing the underlying issues and promoting the benefits of marriage, HBCUs can play a crucial role in fostering healthy relationships within the community. Implementing educational programs, mentorship opportunities, and community engagement initiatives can help strengthen marriage as a pathway to wealth and empower future generations to build a more financially secure future.
There is no African American community without the African American family and there is no African American family without African American marriage. At the very center of anything we discuss must be the institutional stabilization of the African American family and therefore African American marriages and partnerships. Right now the foundation of community and institution building is in crisis with no real way to stem the tide of the crisis. Building in more institutional support services for mental, physical, and nutritional health are just a few of the things needed along with financial stability programs would go a long way to the stability of African American marriage and partnerships. Generational wealth or generational poverty is on the line and great sacrifice must be made if we want the former and not more of the latter.
Analysis: European Americans unemployment rate pushes higher to 3.8 percent, a return to its five month high. Asian Americans decreased 50 basis points and Latino Americans increased 40 basis points from January, respectively. African Americans unemployment rate decreased 20 basis points from January. This is the second lowest rate in the past five months.
AFRICAN AMERICAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BY GENDER & AGE
AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN: 5.5%
AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN: 5.4%
AFRICAN AMERICAN TEENAGERS: 19.2%
AFRICAN AMERICAN PARTICIPATION BY GENDER & AGE
AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN: 68.3%
AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN: 62.7%
AFRICAN AMERICAN TEENAGERS: 30.6%
Analysis: African American Men saw a decrease in their unemployment rate by 140 basis points and African American Women remain unchanged in February, respectively. African American Men decreased their participation rate in February by 70 basis points. African American Women increased their participation rate in February by 20 basis points, their highest participation rate in the past five months. African American Teenagers unemployment rate increased by 970 basis points. African American Teenagers saw their participation rate increase by 530 basis points in February, their highest participation rate in the past five months.
African American Men-Women Job Gap: African American Women currently have 793,000 more jobs than African American Men in February. This is a decrease from 806,000 in January.
CONCLUSION: The overall economy added 151,000 jobs in February while African America added 80,000 jobs. From CNBC, “The report comes amid efforts from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to pare down the federal government, starting with buyout incentives and including mass firings that have impacted multiple departments. Though the reductions likely won’t be felt fully until coming months, the efforts are beginning to show. Federal government employment declined by 10,000 in February though government payrolls overall increased by 11,000, the BLS said. Many of the DOGE-related layoffs happened after the BLS survey reporting period, meaning they won’t be included until the March report. Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported earlier this week that announced layoffs under Musk’s efforts totaled more than 62,000.”
“I am not African because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me.” – Kwame Nkrumah
Sometimes even HBCUs forget that they are part of a global building of the African Diaspora’s building of social, economic, and political interests. The building of that interests strengthened the more African Diaspora institutions connect our ecosystem together and circulate our SEP capital among each other. Too often we get hung up on America desires and forget African responsibilities. As is often the case, the women of the tribe bring give us a gentle reminder as to where our focus needs to be.
Enter, Howard University’s Volleyball team and their voyage across Africa. If you have not heard the story by now, the team had an opportunity to go abroad and voted on where they should go. The team it was said overwhelmingly voted to head to the Motherland – Botswana and Zimbabwe, specifically. It would take the team and supporters raising $60,000 to fund the trip for 16 players and 4 coaches. For many PWIs, this would be simply a matter of picking up the phone and calling any handful of boosters to fund the trip, but at HBCUs we know things work a bit different. However, we also know when we put our mind to something, there is often very little that can stop us and the HBCU community was in full support of such a journey. Needless to say, many HBCU shareholders felt invested in making such a trip happen for a number of reasons.
While there they would participate in tournaments against teams from each of the aforementioned countries. It was an athletic immersion, cultural immersion, and as any African American can attest to their first time in Africa – a spiritual immersion. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play a crucial role in the education and empowerment of African American students. Strengthening relationships with Africa is not only beneficial for HBCUs but also fosters mutual growth, cultural exchange, and academic collaboration. Here are several key reasons why these relationships are important:
Here are seven reasons why it is vital for of HBCUs to build relationships with Africa:
1. Cultural Exchange and Understanding
Building connections with African institutions allows HBCUs to engage in cultural exchanges that enrich the educational experience for students and faculty alike. Exposure to African cultures, languages, and histories enhances the curriculum and fosters a deeper understanding of the shared heritage between African Americans and their African counterparts. This cultural immersion can lead to a greater appreciation for diversity within the African diaspora.
2. Academic Collaboration and Research Opportunities
Partnerships with African universities can facilitate collaborative research initiatives addressing global challenges, such as public health, environmental sustainability, and social justice. Joint programs and projects allow HBCU faculty and students to contribute to meaningful solutions while benefiting from shared knowledge and resources. This collaboration can enhance the academic reputation of HBCUs and provide valuable research opportunities for students.
3. Enhancing Global Competence
In an increasingly interconnected world, fostering relationships with African institutions helps HBCU students develop global competencies. Understanding the political, economic, and social dynamics of African nations equips students with the skills needed to navigate and contribute to a global society. This experience is invaluable in preparing them for careers in international relations, global business, and public policy.
4. Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
Collaborative efforts between HBCUs and African institutions can promote entrepreneurship and economic development in both regions. Initiatives such as exchange programs, business incubators, and investment partnerships can create pathways for HBCU graduates to engage with African markets. This can stimulate job creation and economic growth, benefiting both communities.
5. Strengthening the African Diaspora
HBCUs can play a pivotal role in strengthening the ties within the African diaspora. By building relationships with Africa, they can contribute to a more unified understanding of shared struggles and successes. This connection fosters solidarity among people of African descent, promoting collective action on issues such as social justice, education, and economic empowerment.
6. Creating Opportunities for Students
Establishing partnerships with African universities opens doors for HBCU students to participate in study abroad programs, internships, and service learning opportunities. These experiences not only enhance their education but also allow them to build networks and gain firsthand insights into different cultural and social contexts.
7. Promoting Research on African Issues
HBCUs can leverage their unique perspectives to conduct research that addresses challenges faced by African nations. By focusing on topics such as health disparities, education, and development, HBCUs can contribute valuable insights and innovative solutions that benefit both African communities and the global academic community.
The relationships between HBCUs and Africa are crucial for promoting cultural exchange, academic collaboration, and economic development. By fostering these connections, HBCUs can enhance their educational offerings, prepare students for a globalized world, and strengthen the ties within the African diaspora. Ultimately, these relationships can lead to mutual growth and a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of African and African American histories and cultures. By nurturing this connection, African Americans can strengthen their identities, honor their histories, and collaborate with others in the diaspora to address shared challenges. This relationship ultimately enriches the African American experience and contributes to a more unified and empowered global community of people of African descent.
HBCU Money 