Published since 1976, the State of Black America is the annual Urban League report that addresses the issues central to Black America in the current year. The publication is a barometer of the conditions, experiences and opinions of Black America. It examines black progress in education, homeownership, entrepreneurship, health and other areas and proposes solutions to the community's and America's most pressing challenges.  The State of Black America is released each year during a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., at the Legislative Policy Conference.

In 2009, at the dawn of Barack Obama’s historic presidency, the State of Black America 2009 examines the critical challenges —such as unemployment, home foreclosures, education and health care reform — his new administration must address. In this volume, the National Urban League presents the voices of leading scholars, analysts and practitioners, as well as ordinary citizens asking their government to respond to their concerns – and offers its specific recommendations for effectively tackling these issues. The State of Black America 2009: Message to the President is an invaluable guide, not only for the new President, but for anyone seeking solutions that will empower every American to Thrive, Earn, Own and Prosper.

We welcome the new vision the Obama administration brings to Washington and to America. But this vision can only become a reality if we make it so. The State of Black America 2009: Message to the President, is an essential part of the National Urban League’s effort to bring about this vision by working with the new Administration to tackle the nation’s deepening domestic challenges. I hope that it encourages and inspires each of you to join us in working to help President Obama fulfill the promise he made to us last summer “to build a nation worthy of our children’s future.”

-Marc H. Morial, National Urban League President & CEO

• Executive Summary
• Abstracts
• Table of Contents and Credits

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