AARP and National Urban League Report Looks At Prospects For African-American Older Workers As Economy Recovers

A report released by AARP and the National Urban League takes a look at the prospects for African-American older workers as the economy recovers.

The new report, prepared for the two organizations by the Urban Institute, examines the labor market experiences of African-American workers aged 50 and over. AARP and the National Urban League point out in the study that older African-Americans could be well-positioned to take advantage of job opportunities likely to emerge in the rejuvenated economy. The study projects that health care and social service sectors are likely to generate many new jobs in the years ahead.

“As the recovery speeds up, older African-Americans can help meet employment needs in both the private and public sectors,” said Deborah Russell, director of workforce issues at AARP. “The role of community colleges and the workforce development community will be crucial in helping mature workers fill eventual shortages in high growth industries. Training programs that keep workers’ skills up-to-date are critical to maximizing these opportunities.”

Older African-Americans already make a significant contribution to the economy – the 4.6 million aged 50 and over are 9.5 percent of the aged 50-plus labor force, as of January, 2011. According to the study, African-American older workers have contributed at least $160 billion in earnings to the economy.

In the context of these contributions, the great recession has been particularly devastating for African -American older workers. Frequently saddled with fewer resources than Americans over all, they have faced crushing burdens that include declining housing values, health care cost increases, reduced retirement savings, and high unemployment.

Russell and Dr. Valerie Rawlston Wilson of the National Urban League noted that the community college system provides training opportunities that might be particularly valuable to 50+ African-Americans in search of additional skills and credentials as they seek employment in the new economy.

“Retraining mature workers with a desire and need to remain in the workforce is one of the most constructive ways of addressing the economic challenges this cohort faces while also capitalizing on the tremendous wealth of experience they bring to the workplace,” said Dr. Wilson, vice president of research at the National Urban League Policy Institute. “Facilitating the path to entrepreneurship is also a way to build upon the knowledge and creative capacity of this population,” she said.

AARP, in conjunction with the National Urban League Policy Institute, will hold a forum on March 8, from 8:30 am – noon, in New York City (concourse level of AARP offices, 780 Third Avenue, Manhattan, that will focus on the findings of the study.

The report also focuses on current resources available to assist employers in assessing their needs in a multi-cultural, multi-generational economy. Those resources include AARP’s free online Workforce Assessment Tool (http://www.aarpworkforceassessment.org/us/index.cfm).

This unique planning resource, which already has been used by more than 1,500 companies, provides a snapshot of an organization’s workforce and demographics and the programs in place to leverage the talents and experience of its older workers.

For a copy of the full report, visit www.aarp.org/olderblackworkers. For more information, contact AARP Media Relations at 202-434-2560.

Student Forums on Social Security Launch in 24 Cities | NAACP

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With the ongoing national debate about changes to Social Security and the possible effect of these changes on communities nationwide, the NAACP strongly believes in the need for dialogue with African American students on the institution's future..

Through the support of the Ford Foundation, the NAACP Youth & College Division has created a nationwide Social Security Empowerment Initiative. Twenty-three cities across the country will host forums on February 5 and 12, 2011 aimed at increasing African American students' knowledge about Social Security and the proposed changes to how the system currently operates.

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Fewer African Americans Plan for End-of-Life Care - AARP Bulletin

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by: Cynthia Ramnarace | from: AARP Bulletin

Older African Americans are less likely to have a plan for their end-of-life care than their white counterparts, a discrepancy that leaves blacks with less control over their final health care choices.

In the first national analysis of racial discrepancies in end-of-life planning, the National Center for Health Statistics reported Jan. 6 that African Americans in home health care and nursing homes were half as likely as whites to have an advance directive such as a living will or a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order.

Experts say this disparity means African Americans are more likely to endure unwanted medical procedures and experience unnecessary pain and family strife.

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Blacks Have More 'Soft' Plaque

Recession Hurting Older African Americans More Than Others - AARP Bulletin Today

AARP survey finds high rates of financial stress, job loss, lack of health coverage.

The recession has left millions of Americans worse off financially, but older African Americans have been disproportionately hurt by its impact, according to an AARP survey released Tuesday.


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