1. Obama’s Policy Agenda: Implications for Black Communities and the Role of Philanthropy john a. powell Director, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity Williams Chair in Civil Rights & Civil Liberties, Moritz College of Law ABFE Annual Board Retreat February 10, 2009 New Orleans, LA

3. The Current Recession: Racially Disparate Effects

6. The Recession in Racial Terms Unemployment rates by demographic group projected to 2010 Mishel, Lawrence and Heidi Shierholz. “Without Adequate Public Spending, A Catastrophic Recession for Some.” EPI Issue Brief # 248. 1-13-09 35.7% 16.3% Hispanic 55.7% 30.9% Black 30.1% 16.4% All Teenagers: 13.1% 5.9% Hispanic 18.2% 8.6% Black 8.9% 4.3% White By race/ethnicity: 10.2% 4.8% Unemployment Rate (overall) Projected 2010:2 2007:4

7. The Recession in Racial Terms The Future of Underemployment without Recovery Package Mishel, Lawrence and Heidi Shierholz. “Without Adequate Public Spending, A Catastrophic Recession for Some.” EPI Issue Brief # 248. 1-13-09

8. This ratio was at a record high of 63.5% in 2000. Once the 2001 recession and weak economic recovery hit, these gains were lost and have yet to be recovered. Austin, Algernon. “What a Recession Means for Black America.” EPI Issue Brief # 241. 18 Jan. 2008.

9. The Need for Racially Sensitive Policies Targeted Universalism

17. Assessing the Economic Stimulus Plan The Implications for Communities of Color

19. Money Allocation

21. Stimulus: Projected Distribution of Jobs by Race

22. African Americans are underrepresented relative to their presence in the U.S. population (13%). Hispanics/Latinos, also at 13% of the U.S. population, are overrepresented.

23. These overestimates/underestimates are often industry specific. Consider the construction industry, a key component to the stimulus plan’s infrastructure building: Call out of construction sector jobs by race

25. http://www.racewire.org/ An alternative analysis: Comparing projected state spending with the racial demographics of each state

28. Visualizing Systems Theory

29. System Interactions Source: Barbara Reskin. http://faculty.uwashington.edu/reskin/ We must pay attention to how people are situated by looking at multiple indicators and the relationships that exist between those indicators.

32. Looking Ahead

38. Questions or Comments? For More Information, Visit Us Online: www.KirwanInstitute.org