In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a peak in Black unemployment at 16.8 percent in the U.S. However, White House officials report that 2023 was the best year on record for Black joblessness, now at 5.3 percent. This recovery has been credited to President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which provided stimulus checks, allocated capital to struggling small businesses, extended unemployment benefits, and expanded tax credits.

The Biden administration aims to evoke a more equitable recovery in the U.S, with policies targeted towards directing public and private investment in manufacturing, repairing infrastructure, delivering high-speed internet, and facilitating clean transportation. Furthermore, such strategies have been designed to create well-paying jobs, potentially bolstering labor unions.

The current administration’s focus on enhancing opportunities for small businesses, especially those owned by Black individuals, has led to significant success. For example, the Biden-Harris Administration has increased federal spending on contracts to small businesses, awarding them $163 billion in procurement dollars in 2022, with $70 billion allotted to small disadvantaged businesses.

Despite these achievements, there is still a significant racial wealth gap existing in the country; in 2021, the median Black wealth was $24,520 compared to $250,400 for Whites. To address this disparity, the government has provided $1.4 billion to Black-owned and Black-operated banks to establish a more stable financial environment and support lending to businesses within their communities. These initiatives have potentially contributed to the 60 percent increase in Black wealth since 2019.

In light of these improvements, it is essential to remember that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to secure economic justice for Black communities. Equally important is to recognize the importance of seeking assistance and information from reliable sources, such as local and national employment agencies. For instance, in California, individuals can seek information and assistance concerning employment benefits and claims from the Employment Development Department (EDD), and can visit eddcaller.com for guidance on how to get through to edd.