These outcomes are also expected to occur as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. When crises result in exclusion or isolation, adverse mental health issues like depression and PTSD are only exacerbated. “One of the key indicators of this is the virtually permanent two-to-one ratio in unemployment rates between Blacks and whites in the United States, which I view as a prime index of the degree of discrimination in American labor markets,” Darity said. Black communities also experience high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to other ethnic/racial groups. According to Darity, white households have more than $800,000 more in net worth than Black households. William Darity Jr., professor of public policy, African American Studies and economics at Duke University, said the underlying reason why inflation is so harmful to Black communities is the wealth gap. The group works with the local farmers markets to provide fresh produce to those who can’t afford it, provides healthy meals to children in schools, and also partners with a hotel to provide people a place to stay until they secure permanent housing. Now, the organization offers food to more than 50,000 people per year. Omilami’s father, civil rights activist Hosea Williams, founded Hosea Helps in 1971 serving 100 meals per week to homeless people. ![]() “And the rise in food prices has caused our numbers of people asking for emergency food to almost triple.” In recent months, Hosea Helps has seen a growing need for food assistance. “The rent has increased so much that people don’t have a place to live,” Omilami said. Over Easter, more than 600 vehicles lined up for food during the organization’s food distribution program. Elizabeth Omilami, chief executive of the group, said she’s seeing an increase in the number of people who now need food. ![]() Hosea Helps is a Black-owned nonprofit in Atlanta that distributes meals and provides other services including rental and utilities assistance. This means that Black households are now spending more of their post-tax income on necessities like food and energy, according to a new Bank of America report cited by Business Insider.Īmid this financial crunch, activists and community leaders are stepping up their work around food security and affordable housing to meet new needs in the Black community. ![]() And like most economic downturns, including the Great Recession and the pandemic, Black communities are disproportionately impacted. Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation reached 8.5 percent in March - the highest since 1981 - putting everyday necessities like food, fuel and rent out of reach for many. “I’m realizing that one income isn’t going to cut it,” she said.Īccording to a report by the U.S.
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