Racial Disparities in Today’s Economy

Art by Meghan Smith/Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Persistent racial disparities in economic outcomes for workers and households—particularly in unemployment rates by race—are directly relevant to the central mission of the Federal Reserve. Substantial disparities in other areas either upstream or downstream from the labor market also are of great concern to the Fed. These include racial disparities in elementary and secondary education performance, rates of college completion and homeownership, wealth accumulation, and experience with the criminal justice system. This conference will introduce scholarly studies from recognized experts in their respective areas of research. These studies will summarize the current state of economic knowledge about racial disparities, introduce new insight that enhances our understanding of the role that racial discrimination continues to play, and present commentary on existing policies and proposed policies intended to address these disparities.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Economic Research Conference Series fosters discussion and critical engagement among academics, central bankers, policymakers, and other experts on important economic policy topics.

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