New economic data indicates the unemployment rate for Black New Yorkers decreased over the past two years and hit its lowest level since 2019.
Between January 1, 2022, and April 1, 2024, the Black unemployment rate in the five boroughs decreased from 10.7% to 7.9%. This marks the first time since 2019 that the Black unemployment rate in New York City has been below 8%, according to a news release.
“As recently as last January, Black New Yorkers were four times more likely to be unemployed than white New Yorkers, but we have been able to narrow this gap and, today, Black unemployment is down to its lowest point since 2019 and the racial employment disparity has been cut in half,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Building on this progress, Adams launched the “Run This Town” campaign, a $1 million multi-media advertising campaign to engage diverse New Yorkers and help them apply for thousands of available city government jobs.
The announcement follows the launch of “Jobs NYC,” a citywide effort to reduce barriers to economic opportunities and deliver workforce development services directly to communities across the five boroughs that are experiencing high unemployment. Both campaigns are expected to further reduce the unacceptable disparities in employment between Black, Latino, and white communities.
“After 10 years working in public service, I have no doubt that working in city government is one of the most rewarding experiences a New Yorker from any background or ethnicity can hope for,” said Mayor’s Office of Ethnic and Community Media Executive Director José Bayona. “For those looking for an opportunity to build a solid career, there is not a better place to look than our municipal force.”
The Adams administration launched multiple initiatives to make the city’s economic recovery more equitable, the news release said. These efforts include: launching a $25 million business incubator in the Brooklyn Navy Yard to help minority and women-owned health and beauty businesses launch and grow; expanding the Summer Rising and the Summer Youth Employment programs to connect young New Yorkers with education and professional opportunities; and awarding more than 1,000 businesses over $80 million in capital, $55 million of which went to minority and women-owned businesses through the Small Business Opportunity Fund.
View the Jobs NYC online talent portal to find jobs and training opportunities. New Yorkers can also attend the city’s monthly in-person “hiring halls” and find public- and private-sector job opportunities along with career services.
