On Jan. 1, 2009, the national black unemployment rate was 12.6 percent.  When President Barack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act a little over six weeks later, the black unemployment rate was 13.4 percent.

Tracking Change is visualizing the impact of the stimulus plan on reducing black unemployment.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Useful Links

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Jobs

Black unemployment in the U.S.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Economy Track: Unemployment Rate

Source: Economic Policy Institute

Publications

Ensuring Equitable Recovery: A Guide to Stimulus Jobs Data Released on October 15th

Source: The Advancement Project (October 2009)

Leveling the Playing Field: How to Ensure Minorities Share Equitably in the Economic Recovery and Beyond

Source: Center for American Progress (September 2009)

Weathering the Storm: Black Men in the Recession

Source: Center for American Progress (April 2009)