When Job Numbers Rise But Some Still Feel Stuck: What the Latest Unemployment Report Means for Black Workers and Teens

When Job Numbers Rise But Some Still Feel Stuck: What the Latest Unemployment Report Means for Black Workers and Teens

On paper, November’s jobs report looks like a slowdown. In real life, it feels like a door quietly closing, especially for Black workers and teens who were already pushing uphill. According to the Bureau Labor Statistics, the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November, the highest level in years. But averages can be deceptive. Dig a little deeper, and a much more uneven story emerges: joblessness climbed sharply for Black Americans (8.3%) a…

U.S. Unemployment Rate Surges to 4.6% in November

The U.S. economy added 64,000 jobs in November, but the unemployment rate climbed to 4.6%, the highest since September 2021.

Black Unemployment Rate Climbs To 8.3%, The Highest Since 2021

As the U.S. labor market shows signs of strain, new federal data indicates Black workers are experiencing rising unemployment at a faster pace than the workforce overall. According to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the unemployment rate for Black Americans climbed to 8.3% in November, marking its highest point since 2021. In early 2025, conditions appeared more stable. In May, Black unemployment fell to 6.0%, its lo…