August 12th, 2026
Data from the past five years is painting a picture of the economic mobility and systemic challenges Black males in America are facing. The research is the basis of the new national report, “The Economic State of Black Men and Boys in the United States.”
The 22-page document not only offers a snapshot of educational attainment, employment, and household wealth for Black men and boys across the country, but also examines their mental health and overall well-being
The inaugural report was published by Virginia State University’s John Mercer Langston Institute for African American Political Leadership, in conjunction with the Virginia Alliance for Black Men and Boys in late July
Dr. Wes Bellamy, who serves as the executive director of the institute and as an associate professor of political science and public administration at VSU, authored the report and hopes to continue to produce an annual series of research briefs on Black men and boys
As a guest on Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Bellamy told show host Rose Scott he started gathering information from Black men as early as June of last year through informal conversations at places like national conferences, barbershops and sporting events
“We also looked at and cross-referenced statistical data from the Department of Labor and Statistics, as well as several other publications,” he said
Some of the report findings outline education and early literacy disparities for fourth-grade Black students, a decline in Black male enrollment at historically Black colleges and universities and other higher education institutions
The study also reports Black men earn approximately .77 cents for every dollar earned by White men, and Black people experience high rates of unemployment compared to other racial and ethnic groups
Bellamy said the report does not represent every Black man, but the data does speak for itself. He says Black men and boys are facing a multitude of systemic barriers and are feeling left out, struggling to get ahead
”According to our research, Black males who came from affluent backgrounds and two-parent homes and things of that nature still had similar economic outcomes as white males who came from low or impoverished families,” said Bellamy
The report also offers solutions. Taking action at the state, local, and institutional level to address the systemic barriers that Black men and Boys face is among the report’s six priority recommendations. Bellamy says it’s going to take a holistic approach
“ If you value your Blackness and you value yourself, then show us that you value Black men by not only reading this report but getting to work and doing something about it,” he said
Bellamy says the institute’s next report will examine outcomes for Black men after high school
