In the Boston metropolitan area, as in the rest of the nation, deep racial inequities are built into the regional economy. This report, produced in partnership with Burning Glass Technologies, the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, and SkillWorks, provides a comprehensive analysis of long-standing racial gaps in labor market outcomes, the economic impacts of Covid-19, and the racial equity implications of automation. Our in-depth analysis of disaggregated equity indicators and labor market dynamics found that only 47 percent of the region’s workers hold good jobs, that White workers with only a high school diploma earn on average about 10 percent more than Black workers with an associate’s degree, and that eliminating racial inequities in income could boost the Boston regional economy by almost $45 billion a year. The report concludes with a blueprint for action to advance workforce equity across the region, informed by the data and shaped by local leaders. Download the report.

Additional resources:

• Summary data slide deck
• Strategic industry profile (from Burning Glass Technologies)
• Supplementary data tables on automation risk and job quality

Media: New Research Highlights Racial Inequities in the Boston Area Workforce and Makes Actionable Recommendations for Equitable Economic Recovery (PR News Wire)

In the Chicagoland area, as in the rest of the nation, deep racial inequities are built into the regional economy. This report, produced in partnership with Burning Glass Technologies, the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, and the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance, offers a comprehensive analysis of long-standing racial gaps in labor market outcomes, the economic impacts of Covid-19, and the racial equity implications of automation. It provides in-depth, disaggregated data on equity indicators and labor market dynamics, finding that only 41 percent of the region’s 4.2 million workers hold good jobs, that White workers with only a high school diploma earn on average the same wages as Black workers with an associate’s degree, and that eliminating racial inequities in income could boost the Chicagoland economy by $136 billion a year. Finally, it provides a blueprint for action to advance workforce equity informed by the data and driven by local leaders. Download the report.

Additional resources:

• Summary data slide deck
• Strategic industry profile (from Burning Glass Technologies)
• Supplementary data tables on automation risk and job quality

Media: New Research Highlights Racial Inequities in the Chicago Area Workforce and Proposes Recommendations for Equitable Economic Recovery (PR News Wire)

Cities thrive when all people can live in safe, stable, affordable homes in healthy neighborhoods connected to opportunities without fear of displacement. In 2018, PolicyLink created the All-In Cities Anti-Displacement Policy Network (ADPN), a national network of more than 65 leaders from 11 cities to work together to fight displacement and build thriving cities. Over the course of a year, the network participants developed anti-displacement strategies for their cities while building the power, voice, and capacity of communities directly impacted by displacement in defining challenges and advancing solutions. This report provides a summary of the network — what we did, outcomes, and emerging lessons for the field. It is written to help funders, policy advocates, and others who lead networks refine approaches so we can more effectively address displacement and build prosperous cities for all. Download the brief.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, massive job losses, rapidly evolving business models, and accelerating technological change are dramatically reshaping the US economy. This report, produced in partnership with Burning Glass Technologies and the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, provides a comprehensive analysis of long-standing racial gaps in labor market outcomes, the economic impacts of Covid-19, and the racial equity implications of automation. It provides an in-depth analysis of disaggregated equity indicators and labor market dynamics, finding that White workers are 50 percent more likely than workers of color to hold good jobs and that eliminating racial inequities in income could boost the US economy by $2.3 trillion a year. In addition to detailed data analysis on the state of racial inequities in jobs and opportunity, the report offers a bold framework for action to advance workforce equity, where racial income gaps have been eliminated, all jobs are good jobs, and everyone who wants to work has access to family-supporting employment.

Media: How Companies Can Help Conquer Racial Inequity and Create Future Work for Black Americans (Black Enterprise) 

Webinar Recording: Race and the Work of the Future: Advancing Workforce Equity

The outbreak of Covid-19 has shone a spotlight on the persistent inequities facing people of color across the nation, including those in New Mexico. The economic shock caused by the pandemic occurred at a time when low-wage workers in New Mexico were already struggling with flat paychecks and exorbitant costs for basic needs like housing and health care. Just like the coronavirus crisis itself, the economic crisis is hitting workers of color in New Mexico, particularly Native American workers, the hardest as they experience more layoffs and greater financial hardship than White workers. As New Mexico state leaders begin to address the widespread economic impact of Covid-19, they should capitalize on this moment to create both immediate and long-term opportunities for low-income people and people of color. Download the brief to learn more about the ways workers of color in San Juan County have been impacted by the coronavirus, and how investing in workforce training should be a core element of New Mexico’s COVID-19 recovery strategy.

This is one of two research reports drafted to inform, refocus, and help prioritize housing policy dialogues in two key jurisdictions: the city of Philadelphia and the state of California. Most of the housing reform initiatives to date in these two areas of focus have failed to acknowledge the ways that racially biased policymaking has contributed to the current housing crisis and, as a result, have perpetuated the racialized nature of how we got here. To better understand how such disparities have continued to persist for so long, these reports examine the history of the housing systems in each jurisdiction and outline a housing justice agenda that mitigates the threat of displacement, preserves communities, and increases access to neighborhoods of opportunity.

• Download Facing History, Uprooting Inequality: A Path to Housing Justice in California
• Download The Case for Housing Justice in Philadelphia

This is one of two research reports drafted to inform, refocus, and help prioritize housing policy dialogues in two key jurisdictions: the city of Philadelphia and the state of California. Most of the housing reform initiatives to date in these two areas of focus have failed to acknowledge the ways that racially biased policymaking has contributed to the current housing crisis and, as a result, have perpetuated the racialized nature of how we got here. To better understand how such disparities have continued to persist for so long, these reports examine the history of the housing systems in each jurisdiction and outline a housing justice agenda that mitigates the threat of displacement, preserves communities, and increases access to neighborhoods of opportunity.

• Download Facing History, Uprooting Inequality: A Path to Housing Justice in California
• Download The Case for Housing Justice in Philadelphia