FOR RELEASE MAY 9, 2018
WINSTON-SALEM URBAN LEAGUE PRESIDENT & CEO FEATURED IN 2018 STATE OF BLACK AMERICA
WINSTON-SALEM – The National Urban League’s annual State of Black Americareport, which evaluates the relative social and economic status of African Americans, this year includes commentary from James Perry.
“Right here in Winston-Salem, we’re leading the charge to make lives better. Through our computer labs on 5th Street and Patterson Ave, we are constantly connecting our community to the digital revolution. People are always shocked when they step into my office and realize that it is a small but mighty digital studio…we get things done!”
James Perry’s essay, entitled “Each One Reach One: Telling Untold Stories Online,” can be found at www.StateOfBlackAmerica.org, along with essays and commentary from other Urban League CEOs and leaders in business, government, science and the arts.
“I’m extremely proud that we were able to highlight the work of the Winston-Salem Urban League and elevate James Perry’s voice as we explore the ways that the digital revolution affects the racial, social and economic divide,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “We’re at a historic moment in this latest industrial breakthrough – a moment that is ripe with potential for Black Americans. Initiatives like the Summer Youth Employment Program and the Senior Community Service Employment Program are key to breaking down barriers and opening the doors of opportunity.
The report annually includes the National Equality Index, a quantitative tool for tracking racial equality in America, inspired by the Three-Fifths Compromise of the 1787 United States Constitutional Convention. This year, for the first time, the report also includes a Digital Inclusion Index.
The Digital Inclusion Index answers the question, “Are the new job, business and educational opportunities created by increased digitization of our world being equally shared?” Like the Equality Index, the Digital Inclusion Index assumes a value of 100% to be full equality between white America and Black America.
The 2018 Digital Inclusion Index is 74.1% and the 2018 Equality Index is 72.5%.
The State of Black Americahas become one of the most highly-anticipated benchmarks and sources for thought leadership around racial equality in America across economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice and civic participation. Each edition of the State of Black America contains thoughtful commentary and insightful analysis from leading figures and thought leaders in politics, the corporate arena, the nonprofit sector, academia and popular culture.
“Without full, equitable inclusion into the digital economy, communities of color will continue to be forced to the fringes of every marker of well-being,” Morial said. “Therefore, the National Urban League stands on the digital horizon, poised to secure the promise of the digital future. And there is no app for that.”