The Issue

TRADITIONAL APPROACHES ARE

FAILING DURHAM'S YOUTH

Nationally, Black male teens between 16 and 24 experienced a 42% decrease in employment between 2000 and 2015; and as of December 2022, 50% of Black male youth in the US are currently underemployed or unemployed.


In Durham, specifically, 43,846 Black men and boys represent 38% of our population, yet 60% are underemployed or unemployed. The longer these young men go without quality exposure to work, the less likely they are to become a part of the labor market in the future. 

The statistics speak volumes - young Black men face significant disparities in employment and life experiences. Nationally, Black men have the highest unemployment rates among all race/gender groups, with the lowest labor force participation and employment rates among men.


The impact of Black male joblessness on the national economy is staggering, estimated to cost approximately $50 billion per year when accounting for high incarceration and mortality rates faced by Black men. These figures not only represent a loss in economic productivity but also reflect the untapped potential and talent that remains underutilized.



These disparities are not just numbers; they represent profound barriers to success, limiting opportunities for economic mobility and contributing to the cycle of generational poverty.

50%

As of December 2022, 50% of Black male youth in the US are currently underemployed or unemployed.

57%

In 2020, young Black men have lowest national labor force participation rate of all genders and races

16%

While Black men make up 16% of Durham’s population in 2022, they account for only 11% of all Durham Public School teachers. 

70%

A 2021 report found that Black youth in Durham were overwhelmingly concerned that programs lacked quality, youth voice, and safety. 

A YOUTH-DESIGNED SOLUTION

Durham Success Summit was born out of the recognition that existing public school, workforce development, and criminal justice systems have failed many young Black men. To create a truly innovative and comprehensive approach, we turned to the very individuals we aim to serve. Black men in Durham played a crucial role in defining what they needed, guided the creation of our Scholars program, and continue to shape our work.

What we heard has become the cornerstone of our approach.


WATCH THE ABC11 FEATURE

FOUNDER'S STORY: SOMETHING WORTH GLORIFYING

As we look at popular culture and how it affects Black youth, we often glorify the wrong things.

In a city where 33% of the population is Black, the fact that only 3% of the businesses were Black-owned as of 2014 would be confusing… but it doesn’t confuse me for 2 reasons: 1) I am a Black man who was born and raised in this city and 2) we’ve done the research to better understand what can be done to offset the impact of the damage that has been done over 400 years-worth of barriers. 

MEET OUR FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Share by: