FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 25, 2014

CONTACT:

Sarah Lovenheim, sarah.lovenheim@younginvincibles.org 202–734-6529
Colin Seeberger, colin.seeberger@younginvincibles.org 214-223-2913

YOUNG INVINCIBLES RELEASES NEW REPORT ON RACIAL INEQUALITY IN EDUCATION, AND ITS IMPACT ON JOB PROSPECTS AND WAGES

Washington, D.C. – This morning, Young Invincibles released a new report, titled Closing the Race Gap, that takes an unprecedented look at the driving forces behind racial disparities in the job market.

The report finds that young African Americans need two more levels of education than their young white counterparts to have the same chance at employment. For example, young African American adults need to earn an associate’s degree to have the same job prospects as young white adults with just a high school degree. The report also details a series of policy recommendations that Congress should consider as it prepares to reauthorize the Higher Education Act.

Rory O’Sullivan, deputy director of Young Invincibles, said, “We were startled to see just how much more education young African Americans must get in order to have the same chance at landing a job as their white peers. On the other hand, young African Americans receive greater gains in job prospects for each level of education they complete, making it clear that we can reduce racial disparities by increasing access to education for everyone.”

Here’s a chart detailing just how wide the employment gap is for African American young males, compared to white young males, at every level of education.