Washington, DC, July 23, 2003—Released on the same morning that civil rights leaders gather to announce the commemoration plans for the 40^th anniversary of the March on Washington, the National Urban League\\\'s 2003 edition of its hallmark report, The State of Black America, examines the current state of the black family in America.

The report details some good news: a slow but steady increase in the number of black families headed by married couples (47.9 percent in 2001 versus 46.1 percent in 1996); more than two thirds of all African American families have "stable working class to middle class" incomes, and a significant number of black men and women support equal rights and equal pay.

But in light of the 40 years since civil rights groups led a march on the nation\\\'s capitol to promote civil rights and economic opportunity for African Americans, the report also calls into question how far African Americans have really come.

Additional findings show that 10.9 percent of single black mothers are unemployed, compared to just 4.9 of white single mothers, and reveal a disproportionate incarceration rate for Blacks, particularly for non-violent offenders: 4, 819 per 100,000 vs. 649 per 100,000 for whites.

"The state of Black America is challenged but strong," National Urban League president Marc H. Morial said.

"According to our report, marriage among African Americans is up, and more families are earning higher incomes. However, one cannot ignore the staggering African American unemployment rate which stands at 12 percent, twice the national average of six percent.

"Our report details other assaults on the stability of Black families and black Americans, such as disproportionate rates of incarceration, the high number of families living in poverty and a welfare reform policy that serves as a disincentive for struggling mothers to seek an education."Mr. Morial stated.

"By highlighting both the progress we\\\'ve made and the predicaments we face, previous and this year\\\'s issue of The State of Black America seek to spur a deeper, more comprehensive examination of the status of African Americans in order to improve the possibility that they and all other Americans can fully participate in the American mainstream," he added.

Essays contained in the 2003 edition of The State of Black America include:

• Black Family Matters, by Marc H. Morial
• "Feminism is a Black Thing"?: Feminist Contributions to Black Family Life, by Carolyn M. West
• E. Franklin Frazier: The Man and His Intellectual Legacy, by James E. Teele
• Race, Gender and Welfare Reform: The Need for Targeted Support, by Walter Stafford with Diana Salas, Melissa Mendez and Angela Dews
• We Are Family: Embracing Our Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Family Members, by Juan Battle, Cathy J. Cohen, Angelique Harris and Beth E. Rich
• "The Strength of Black Families" Revisited, by Robert B. Hill
• "The Impact of Mass Incarceration on Public Health in Black Communities", by Ernest M. Drucker
• "The Harmful Impact of the Criminal Justice System and War on Drugs on the African American Family", by James R. Lanier
• "A Case Study: African American Girls and Their Families", by Kimberly A. Scott
• "The Childcare Imbalance: Impact on Working Opportunities for Poor Mothers", by Kenya L. Covington Cox

Published since 1976, The State of Black America is the most scholarly annual assessment of the status of African-Americans. Members of the media can receive complimentary copies by calling 212-558-5319. For all others, copies are available for purchase (cost is $24.95 plus shipping and handling) by calling the National Urban League\\\'s Publications Department at 212-558-5300.