The National Urban League's 2008 Report, The State of Black America(R), Recommends a Blueprint for Economic Equality to Close Gaps Between Blacks and Whites

NEW YORK, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Urban League's 2008 State of Black America (SOBA) report offers a blueprint for economic equality aimed at closing the persistent gaps between black and whites. The State of Black America(R) 2008: in the Black Woman's Voice pays particular attention to the African-American female, exploring the challenges they face, particularly as a higher percentage of black women are the heads of households struggling to maintain family homes. With 45.8 percent of African-American households headed by women vs. 13.6 percent of white households, black women are particularly hard hit when considering issues such as subprime lending.

SOBA, which will be officially released during a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on March 5th at 11:30 a.m., uses the National Urban League's Equality Index to provide a statistical measurement of the equality gap between blacks and whites across five categories: economics, education, health, civic engagement and social justice. This year's index noted a slight reduction in the gap with the overall economic status of African Americans at 73 percent of white Americans, slightly up from last year's equality index of 72.6 percent. While the index identified minor improvements in the social justice index, mostly due to the narrowing of sentencing gaps and a slight positive change in incarceration rates, there was no improvement from last year in the areas of education and economics.

"Over the past year, a recession, precipitated in part by the subprime mortgage debacle, falling house sales and values and a tighter credit market has reared its ugly head in a year of what promises to be one of the most competitive and historic presidential elections in decades," said Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial. "Last year's report concluded that our nation stood at a tipping point. That magic moment has unfortunately led us to troubling times."

Throughout the report, African-American women leaders shed light on the equality challenges faced by black women. They pen their thoughts and feelings on the status and plight of black women in areas such as political disenfranchisement, the glass ceiling in career advancement, the importance of early childhood education, love and family relationships, negative images in the media, health and civil rights.

Essayists include Dr. Julianne Malveaux, president of Bennett College; Susan Taylor, editorial director, Essence magazine; Alexis Herman, former U.S. Secretary of Labor; Dr. Johnetta Cole, former president of Spellman College and Maudine Cooper, president of the Greater Washington Urban League.

The recommendations offered to close the gap identified in this year's SOBA report are based on the national Urban League's Opportunity Compact. The Compact is a set of principles and policy recommendations that provide the groundwork for economic empowerment of African Americans and others and rest within four cornerstones of opportunity: the opportunity to thrive, the opportunity to earn, the opportunity to own and the opportunity to prosper.

National Urban League (www.nul.org)

Established in 1910, The Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. There are over 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 36 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than 2 million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research.

               The National Urban League's Opportunity Compact

                    "Cornerstones and Guiding Principles"

    Opportunity to thrive -
                      -- Every child deserves to live a life free of poverty
                         that includes a safe home environment, adequate
                         nutrition and affordable quality health care.

                      -- Every child in America deserves a quality education
                         that will prepare them to compete in an increasingly
                         global marketplace.

    Opportunity to earn -
                      -- Every willing adult in America should have a job that
                         allows them to earn a decent wage and provide a
                         reasonable standard of living for themselves and
                         their families.

                      -- Every adult in America should have equal access to
                         the resources that enhance employability and job
                         mobility including postsecondary education and other
                         investments in human capital.

    Opportunity to own -
                      -- Access to the financial security that comes from
                         owning a home should be available to all adults.

    Opportunity to prosper -
                      -- Everyone who possesses the entrepreneurial vision,
                         ingenuity, drive and desire should have access to the
                         resources needed to establish and grow a viable
                         business enterprise.

    CONTACT:   Adrien Seybert - 212-558-5315
               aseybert@nul.org
               Kimberlee Bradshaw - 212-885-0506
               kimberlee.bradshaw@hillandknowlton.com
               Judi Durand - 703-725-6017
               judi.durand@hillandknowlton.com