Economic Challenges Facing Black Men and Boys:
Beyond the Data to Lived Experience

Registration for this event is closed.

There is progress toward narrowing the gaps between African-American and Hispanic families and white families in income, wealth and areas such as homeownership and health, according to the Center for Household Financial Stability's recently released 2018 Demographics of Wealth series.

However, large gaps remain, and several trends reported by the experts at the center at the St. Louis Fed are not as encouraging. Black and Hispanic college graduates were hit hard by the financial crisis and Great Recession and their subsequent financial recovery remains incomplete.

Economists will discuss trends and document the heightened difficulty black families have in passing on middle-class status to their children—especially their sons. Local and national experts will interpret the data in light of their own observations and experiences.

A panel discussion and audience Q&A will complete the session. Moderated by Sam O'Bryant, senior director at SchoolSeed Foundation, the panel will include:

• Camille Busette, director of the Race, Prosperity and Inclusion Initiative at Brookings Institute
• William R. Emmons, assistant vice president and economist, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and senior economic adviser at the center
• Daphene McFerren, executive director of the Hooks Institute at the University of Memphis
• Lowell R. Ricketts, lead analyst at the center
• Douglas Scarboro, regional executive of the Memphis Branch of the St. Louis Fed
• Jason Wilson, owner of Northwest Coffee Roasting Co.

The event is open on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required and will close Sept. 5 or as soon as all seats are filled.

Questions? Contact Joann Harris at Joann.Harris@stls.frb.org or 901-531-5101.

This presentation is part of the St. Louis Fed's evening discussion series, called Dialogue with the Fed: Beyond Today’s Financial Headlines. View previous presentations at this site.