
Black Unemployment Surges to 7.5%
By Jeremy Martin • January 21, 2026

Economic data for January 2026 shows a worrying trend: Black unemployment hit 7.5% by the end of 2025, significantly higher than the national average. The "State of the Dream 2026" report characterizes this as a "Black Recession," driven by instability in sectors where Black workers are overrepresented, such as government and retail.
- The Scoop: By Jan 2026, Black unemployment hit 7.5% (vs. ~4% national average), a stark increase signaling a specific "Black Recession."
- Impact on Black Culture & Community: This creates a crisis of stability. The "last hired, first fired" phenomenon is returning. This economic anxiety will likely ripple into culture, influencing music (more themes of hustle/survival) and politics (demand for tangible economic policy over symbolic gestures).
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January 21, 2026
In a significant win for Black-led innovation in biotech/health-tech, Alveus Therapeutics (highlighted in recent "Black Innovation" roundups) has exited stealth mode with a massive $160 million in funding.The company is developing alternatives to popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, positioning itself as a major player in the life sciences sector for 2026. The Scoop: In a massive win for biotech, Alveus Therapeutics launched with $160 million in Series A funding on January 8. They are developing next-gen oral drugs for obesity and metabolic disease that could rival Ozempic. Impact on Black Culture & Community: This is a dual-impact story. Economically, it showcases Black leadership in the high-stakes world of biotech venture capital. Culturally, it addresses a health equity crisis ; metabolic diseases disproportionately affect Black communities due to systemic food apartheid. A Black-led company solving this issue implies a solution that might prioritize accessibility and trust in medical systems where it has historically been lacking.




