Black Stats

A completely revised and updated handbook of eye-opening—and frequently myth-busting—facts and figures about the real lives of Black Americans today, called “a gift of knowledge” by Susan Taylor, former editor-in-chief of Essence magazine

There’s no defeating white supremacist myths without real data. Hailed as “an important resource for anyone seeking a better understanding of . . . Black America” (Benjamin Todd Jealous, former NAACP president and CEO), this completely revised and updated edition of Black Stats offers new facts, critical analyses, and information on the current state of Black life in the United States, at the quarter-century mark, unhindered by jargon and assumptions.

Monique Couvson, author of the acclaimed Pushout, has compiled statistics from a broad spectrum of telling categories that illustrate the quality of life and the possibility of (and barriers to) advancement for a group at the heart of American society. With fascinating information on a wide range of topics including education, entertainment, sports, and the arts, the environment, health, justice, military service, money and jobs, science and technology, and more, this “invaluable resource” (International Journal of Communications) will enrich and inform many public debates while challenging commonly held yet often misguided perceptions.

Called a “great tool offering descriptive statistics on the condition of our nation’s promise of freedom, justice, equality and economic opportunity for all” by Marc H. Morial, president and CEO, National Urban League, Black Stats simultaneously highlights measures of incredible progress, conveys the disparate impacts of social policies and practices, and surprises with revelations that span many subjects. It is an essential tool for advocates, educators, and anyone seeking racial justice and to understand the complex state of our nation.