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.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Useful Links

Black Unemployment in the U.S.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Data Brief: Black Employment and Unemployment

Source: UC Berkeley Labor Center Black Worker Project

Economy Track: Unemployment Rate

Source: Economic Policy Institute

The State of Urban Jobs

Source: National Urban League

Reports

Race-Recovery Index: Is Stimulus Helping Communities in Crisis?

Source: Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (December 2010)

Race-Recovery Index: Is Stimulus Helping Communities in Crisis?

Source: Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (November 2010)

Race-Recovery Index: Is Stimulus Helping Communities in Crisis?

Source: Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (October 2010)

Race-Recovery Index: Is Stimulus Helping Communities in Crisis?

Source: Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (August 2010)

Race-Recovery Index: Is Stimulus Helping Communities in Crisis?

Source: Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (July 2010)

Race-Recovery Index: Is Stimulus Helping Communities in Crisis?

Source: Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (June 2010)

Race-Recovery Index: Is Stimulus Helping Communities in Crisis?

Source: Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (May 2010)

Race-Recovery Index: Is Stimulus Helping Communities in Crisis?

Source: Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (April 2010)

Understanding the Economy: Long-Term Unemployment in the African American Community

Source: Joint Economic Committee Report (March 17, 2010)

Race-Recovery Index: Is Stimulus Helping Communities in Crisis?

Source: Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (March 2010)

ARRA & the Economic Crisis - One Year Later: Has Stimulus Helped Communities in Crisis?

Source: Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (February 2010)

Race-Recovery Index: Is Stimulus Helping Communities in Crisis?

Source: Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity (February 2010)

Estimated Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Employment and Economic Output

From October 2009 Through December 2009

Source: Congressional Budget Office (February 2010)

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)

News Stories

Black Unemployment Sparks Chorus Of Discontent

Stimulus bill helped some far more than others

Jobless rates no factor for stimulus money

Obama ignores black joblessness at his own peril