Research & Studies

Report Examines the History of Black Women in the United States Congress

There are currently 31 Black women serving in the 119th Congress: two senators, two non-voting delegates, and 27 members of the House of Representatives. Of the 64 Black women to ever serve in the U.S. Congress, over half have been elected within the past 12 years.

Black Male Passengers and Transit Workers Are Targets for Aggression on Public Transportation

An observational study from the University of Notre Dame's Gwendolyn Purifoye and Morehouse College's Derrick Brooms has found that Black men - both passengers and transit workers - are frequently ignored and discriminated by others while using public transportation.

Teachers’ Perceptions of School Climate Impact Discipline Rates for Black Students

In a study of NYC public schools, more positive teacher perceptions of school climate, higher years of teaching experience, and a greater share of Black teachers resulted in lower discipline rates for all students, and especially for Black and Latinx students.

Black Women Scientists Are Viewed as Less Competent Than Black Male and White Counterparts

In an online experiment using two short documentary films, viewers consistently rated Black women scientists as less warm and less competent than Black men and White scientists of both genders, particularly when they introduced a White test subject.

How Different Rating Systems Affect the Racial Earning Gap in Gig Work

When an online platform uses a five-star rating scale, non-White gig workers receive lower ratings, on average, than their White counterparts, resulting in a 9 percentage point income gap. However, changing the rating scale to a simple thumbs up/thumbs down nearly eliminates this racial disparity.

New Report Highlights How HBCUs and Other MSIs Advance Economic Mobility for Students of Color

"Investing in HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs yields exponential returns, as these institutions serve as engines of economic growth, social mobility, and ladders of opportunity for millions of students and their communities," write the authors. "Their work goes beyond addressing historical inequities; it is essential to building a stronger, more inclusive, and more competitive future for the nation."

Despite Recent Progress, the Black Homeownership Rate Is the Lowest Among All Major Racial Groups

As of 2023, the homeownership rate of Black Americans is 44.7 percent - significantly lower than that of White (72.4 percent), Asian (63.4 percent) and Hispanic (51.0 percent) Americans.

How Historically Black Community Colleges Received and Spent Federal Relief Funding During the Pandemic

In total, historically Black community colleges received over $2.7 billion in federal relief funding during the pandemic. Nearly $800 million was issued for direct student aid disbursements and $1.9 billion was allocated for institutional spending.

Pew Research Center Finds Steady Growth in the Share of Black Americans Who Identify as Multiracial

In 2000, over 93 percent of all Black Americans identified as single-race Black. By 2023, their share dropped to 82 percent, with over 11 percent of Black Americans identifying as multi-racial and over 6 percent identifying as Black Hispanic.

Black Students at HBCUs Have Better Mental Health Than Peers at Other Institutions

Despite the significant financial challenges and lack of resources at historically Black colleges and universities, Black students at HBCUs are more likely to experience better mental health outcomes than their peers at other institutions.

Study Examines Racial Differences Among the Incoming Class of 2024 at U.S. Colleges and Universities

Authored by researchers from the American Council on Education and UCLA, the "Understanding the Entering Class of 2024" report examines the experiences and perspectives of incoming college freshman, including differences between students of different racial backgrounds.

Report Documents the State of Education for Black Students in California

The "Black Minds Matter 2025" report from EdTrust-West has outlined the state of education for Black Californians, documenting the barriers facing Black students in TK-12 and higher education settings.

How Has Black Americans’ Religiousness Changed Over the Past Two Decades?

Similar to other major racial groups, there has been a declining trend in Black Americans who are religiously affiliated and a rising trend in those who are religiously unaffiliated.

Less Than a Third of Black Students Interested in STEMM Majors Earn STEMM Degrees Within Six Years

Roughly 52 percent of Black students applying to college through Common App express interest in majoring in STEMM disciplines. However, only 28 percent of these students go on to graduate with a STEMM degree within six years.

How Has the Black Population in Each U.S. State Changed Since 2010?

According to data from Pew Research Center, the Black population is growing the fastest in Utah, which experienced an 85 percent increase in Black residents between 2010 and 2023.

Childhood Exposure to Trauma Linked to Heart Disease in Black Women

While both Black men and women study participants reported similar experiences with childhood trauma, the association between past trauma and heart complications was only found among Black women.

Joint Center Report Examines Access to On-Campus Child Care Support for Black Student Parents

The share of colleges and universities in the United States that offer on-campus child care services has dropped significantly over the past two decades, limiting the educational opportunities for Black student parents, who represent a significant portion of all college student parents.

Does Transgenerational Slavery Trauma Cause Present-Day Health Disparities?

The study authors argue that "there is no justification needed [to explain present-day racial health disparities] beyond the key role of structural racism experienced directly by African Americans today."

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