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U.S. Economy Adds 142,000 Jobs in August; Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.2%, Biden Hails Progress

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By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the U.S. economy added 142,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in August, less than the 165,000 economists had predicted. While the job growth missed forecasts, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% from July’s 4.3%, suggesting continued strength in the labor market under the Biden-Harris administration.

Job growth in August came in higher than July’s revised 89,000, but revisions to June and July figures showed the U.S. economy added 86,000 fewer jobs than initially reported. Despite the adjustments, wage growth continued to increase, with year-over-year wage gains rising to 3.8%, up from 3.6% in July. Monthly wages grew by 0.4%, double the prior month’s 0.2%, offering signs of resilience for American workers amid ongoing inflation concerns.

Some economists, however, are cautious about how these figures will impact the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rates. “The overall solid gain in August payrolls, the retreat in the unemployment rate, and the pop in average hourly earnings are not likely enough for Fed officials to start the rate-cutting cycle with a 50 bps reduction on September 18,” Nationwide’s chief economist Kathy Bostjancic noted.

Bostjancic’s remarks reflect the broader debate among economists. Some see the data as a reason for the Fed to pursue a more conservative rate cut of 25 basis points to avoid overheating the economy.

In a statement following the jobs report, President Joe Biden celebrated the continued economic progress under his administration. “Thanks to our work to rescue the economy, nearly 16 million new jobs have been created, wages and incomes are rising faster than prices, businesses are investing in America, and millions of entrepreneurs are opening small businesses—acts of hope and confidence in our economy,” Biden said.

The president also stressed the importance of maintaining these gains as inflation returns to manageable levels. “With inflation back down close to normal levels, it is important to focus on sustaining the historic gains we have made for American workers,” he remarked.

Biden warned against returning to what he described as failed Republican policies, including tax cuts for the wealthy and reductions to critical programs. “The last thing we should do is turn back to the failed trickle-down economics… cutting taxes for the wealthy and large corporations, raising taxes on middle-class families, or cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act,” Biden emphasized.

“We’re fighting to expand opportunity, and we’ll keep pushing forward. The American people have shown their resilience, and we’re committed to building an economy that works for everyone,” he insisted.

Latest Stats Show America’s Continued Love Affair with Mass Incarceration

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The demographic distribution remained consistent over the two years, with 32% being Black, 31% white, 23% Hispanic, 10% multiracial or of another race, 2% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 1% Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander.

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Preliminary data released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) revealed a notable increase in the number of individuals held in local jails nationwide. As of midyear 2022, the incarcerated population stood at 663,100, marking a 4% surge compared to the previous year’s 636,100. This surge is part of a more significant trend that has seen jail admissions rise by 6.6% from July 2021 to June 2022, totaling 7.3 million entries. However, the figure is still 37% lower than ten years prior, when admissions peaked at 11.6 million.
According to the new data, of the incarcerated population in mid-2022, 14% were female, representing an increase over the previous year. The female population experienced a growth of 9%, surpassing the 3% growth seen in the male population during the same period.
Among those in custody, approximately 30% (197,000) were convicted or awaiting sentencing, while the remaining 70% (466,100) were not convicted, pending court action, or held for other reasons. This distribution mirrors the proportions observed in 2021.
The numbers saw a 2% increase for state and federal prisons from yearend 2021 to yearend 2022, with the population rising from 1,205,100 to 1,230,100. Notably, 35 states and the federal prison system saw an uptick in the number of individuals sentenced to more than one year.
Most prisoners, approximately 96% in 2021 and 2022, had sentences of over a year. The demographic distribution remained consistent over the two years, with 32% being Black, 31% white, 23% Hispanic, 10% multiracial or of another race, 2% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 1% Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander.
BJS Principal Deputy Director Kevin M. Scott, Ph.D., emphasized the significance of releasing preliminary data, stating in a news release that, “BJS is publishing advanced estimates of key statistics on this topic to provide our stakeholders with timely data as quickly as possible.”
In response to the report, the Jobs Opportunity Task Force (JOTF), a nonprofit advocating for improved skills, jobs, and incomes, drew attention to the wide-reaching effects of incarceration. They revealed that approximately 113 million adults in the U.S., or roughly 45%, have a family member with a history of imprisonment, and 79 million individuals possess a criminal record. JOTF officials pointed out that the post-pandemic era has witnessed a resurgence in incarceration rates, attributing the prior decline to COVID-19 responses rather than systemic changes.
Highlighting concerns specific to Maryland, JOTF warned that the state already incarcerates more individuals per capita than Canada, France, the U.K., and China. They cautioned that should Maryland continue this trajectory, it could face economic repercussions, including high unemployment rates among returning citizens, potentially leading to increased reliance on government assistance, diminished tax revenues, and elevated recidivism rates.
JOTF officials concluded by stressing the urgency of addressing mass incarceration, not only for the well-being of affected individuals and their families but also for the broader economic stability of the nation.
“Maryland must continue to dismantle barriers to employment by increasing access to expungement, limiting the use or consideration of prior criminal history when considering an application for an occupational license, and reducing or eliminating the fines and fees that contribute to keeping justice-involved individuals in poverty even if they are able to secure entry-level employment,” JOTF officials wrote.

Six Decades after King’s Historic Speech, Report Shows Black Economic Equality is ‘Still a Dream’

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Mainstream media often ignores Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s fight for economic justice and his strong relationship with the Black Press. (Wikimedia Commons)

The report exposes that in 2021, African Americans earn 62 cents to every dollar earned by white families.

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Sixty years after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a groundbreaking new report has laid bare the stark truth of ongoing black economic inequality in the United States.
Titled “STILL A DREAM: Over 500 Years to Black Economic Equality,” the report, co-authored by prominent experts Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, Chuck Collins, Omar Ocampo, and Sally Sim, and published by the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), underscores the enduring disparities faced by Black Americans and highlights the pressing need for concerted action to address these disparities.
“Sixty years ago, Dr. King observed that America has defaulted on this promissory note to Black citizens,” stated Chuck Collins, an IPS senior scholar who directs the Program on Inequality and the Common Good in Washington, DC.
“Six decades later, despite incremental progress on some fronts, the check of opportunity has still come back with insufficient funds.”
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, Chief of Race, Wealth, and Community for NCRC, lamented, “It is deeply troubling that, sixty years after the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Black economic equality remains nothing more than a dream for most Black Americans.”
“The revelation that it would take more than 500 additional years to close the economic gap for black Americans is a stark reminder of the systemic inequities that persist,” Asante-Muhammad asserted.
Sally Sim, a senior organizer, and project specialist at NCRC, emphasized the urgency of the situation.
“The sobering projection and findings of our report sixty years after the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom reinforce that the dream for economic equality for Black Americans remains unfulfilled,” Sim stated.
“On this historic anniversary, let us turn this report into a catalyst for meaningful action towards comprehensive solutions and public support for policies and initiatives that promote black economic equality.”
Some key findings from the comprehensive report were that, despite modest advancements made by African Americans since the 1960s, including reduced poverty rates, increased high school attainment, and lower unemployment rates, income disparities between Black and white Americans have only slightly improved.
The report exposes that in 2021, African Americans earn 62 cents to every dollar earned by white families.
The report’s authors said, at this rate, achieving income parity would take an astonishing 513 years.
Further, the wealth gap between Black and non-Black Americans has experienced only marginal growth, with African Americans possessing 18 cents for every dollar of non-Black wealth in 2019.
If this pace continues, it will take approximately 780 years for Black wealth to match non-Black wealth.
Median household income for African Americans has shown minimal growth, growing just 0.36% since the turn of the century.
Strikingly, it remained lower than white median family income in 1963.
Even after over six decades, the Black-white homeownership divide persists.
Black homeownership has grown from 38% in 1960 to 44% in 2021, while white homeownership surged from 64% in 1960 to 74% in 2021.
The report outlined a series of recommendations to combat black economic inequality:
1. Advocate for full employment and guaranteed jobs to ensure equal economic opportunities for all.
2. Enact a substantial land and homeownership program to address the enduring homeownership gap between Black and white Americans.
3. Commit to individual asset building, including financial education, asset matching programs, and supportive policies, to facilitate access to wealth-building opportunities for Black Americans.
4. Implement policies to reduce dynastic concentrations of wealth and power, tackling the structural barriers that impede economic progress for Black Americans.
5. Explore targeted reparations to address historical injustices and provide meaningful redress for the economic disparities Black Americans face.
The authors noted that, as the nation reflects on King’s enduring vision for equality and justice, the report serves as a sobering reminder that pursuing Black economic equality remains an unmet challenge in America.
“The findings of this report are sobering and demand immediate and comprehensive action to address the economic disparities faced by African Americans,” remarked Omar Ocampo, a researcher for the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at IPS.
“We must invest in transformative policies that address systemic racism and create an equitable society.”
View the full report here.

Lifetime Rates of Depression in Black and Brown Communities Surpass Whites, Others

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Gallup found that white people have always had slightly higher rates of both lifetime and current depression, but African Americans and Hispanics now suffer the most.

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

A new Gallup study released on May 17 shows that the lifetime depression rates of Black and Hispanic adults are rising quickly and have now passed those of white adults.
Gallup found that white people have always had slightly higher rates of both lifetime and current depression, but African Americans and Hispanics now suffer the most.
Overall, 29% of U.S. adults acknowledge a depression diagnosis at some point, almost ten percentage points more than in 2015.
Gallup’s National Health and Well-Being Index says that the number of Americans who have depression or are currently receiving treatment has increased by about seven points in the same period to 17.8%.
Both rates are the highest that Gallup has seen since it started tracking depression with the current method in 2015.
The Gallup Panel surveyed 5,167 U.S. adults from Feb. 21 to Feb. 28 to get the most current results.
The panel comprises about 100,000 adults from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Questions included, “Has a doctor or nurse ever told you that you have depression,” and “Do you currently have depression, or are you being treated for it?”
Over one-third of women (36.7%), compared to 20.4% of men, say they have been diagnosed with depression at some point.
Since 2017, the rate of depression in women has risen almost twice as fast as in men.
Individuals 18 to 29 (34.3%) and between 30 and 44 (34.9%) are diagnosed with depression at much higher rates than people over 44.
The highest rates of current depression or treatment for depression are also among women (23.8%) and people ages 18 to 29 (24.6%).
Compared to 2017 projections, these two groups have the fastest-rising rates (up 6.2% and 11.6%, respectively).
Adults aged 30–44 also have the fastest-rising rates.
Depression is not just a problem in the U.S.
Around the world, 4 in 10 adults aged 15 or older have severe depression or anxiety or know someone who does.
According to other Gallup research, 22% of adults in Northern America have had depression or anxiety so badly that they couldn’t do their normal daily activities for two weeks or longer.
Gallup researchers said that’s about the same as the global rate of 19% and the same as the rates in Western Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. clinical sadness rate grew slowly.
After the pandemic, however, it went up by a significant amount.
Researchers said social isolation, loneliness, fear of infection, mental exhaustion (especially among first responders like health care workers), increased drug use, and problems with mental health services may have played a role.
Even though the number of people who feel very lonely every day has decreased in the past two years due to widespread vaccinations and a slow return to normalcy, increased loneliness during the pandemic was likely a significant factor in the rise of long-term depression.
Currently, 17% of adults in the U.S. say they were very lonely “yesterday,” which adds up to an estimated 44 million people.
Women have always reported much higher amounts of depression than men have in subgroups, researchers said.
This gap has gotten a lot bigger since 2017, likely due to several COVID-related factors, such as women being more likely to lose their jobs or stop working altogether, partly because the pandemic kept kids from going to school or daycare.
In 2019, 78% of all healthcare workers were women, putting them at a higher risk for emotional and mental problems because of the pandemic.
Conversely, young people are more likely to be single and to say they are lonely, especially during the pandemic.
Experts said young people also need more time with others to boost their happiness than older adults do.
COVID-19 has a direct effect on this.
Those under 30 and individuals with lower incomes are more likely to feel sad, worried, or angry every day, which are all symptoms of depression, the researchers found.
Women, young adults, and people of color were also more likely to lose their jobs entirely because of the pandemic.

Milwaukee Post Office Hiring Events

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Looking for a Job? Postal Service is Hiring

Friday-Saturday Hiring Events Scheduled into June

 

MILWAUKEE, WI— The United States Postal Service is looking for mail carriers and clerks.

 

The Postal Service is the second largest employer in the United States. We offer our team variety, training, and ways to move up. We have specific programs for recent grads and skills matching for applicants with military experience.

 

From mail carriers to corporate management, we all work together to provide efficient, affordable service to the American public. USPS is an excellent workplace for self-motivated individuals who enjoy independence and measurable goals with the added satisfaction of serving our communities.

 

Anyone who needs a full or part-time job, a new career path, or is looking for a first-time job, please make plans to visit the upcoming hiring events:

 

Friday, April 21, 2023, 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 22, 2023, 8:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m.

Sequoia Post Office

6825 W. Brown Deer Rd.

Milwaukee, WI 53223

 

Other hiring events dates, times, and sites in the Milwaukee area are as follows:

 

Dates
Times
Location
Address
Friday, April 28, 2023
9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Hilltop Post Office
1301 N. 12th St.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Hilltop Post Office
1301 N. 12th St.
Friday, May 5, 2023
9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
North Shore Post Office
5651 N. Lydell Ave.
Saturday, May 6, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
North Shore Post Office
5651 N. Lydell Ave.
Friday, May 12, 2023
9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Greenfield Post Office
7353 W. Forest Home Ave.
Saturday, May 13, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Greenfield Post Office
7353 W. Forest Home Ave.
Friday, May 19, 2023
9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Hampton Post Office
6501 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Hampton Post Office
6501 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
Friday, June 2, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Mid City Post Office
3421 W. Vliet St.
Saturday, June 3, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Mid City Post Office
3421 W. Vliet St.
Friday, June 9, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
North Milwaukee Post Office
5995 N. Teutonia Ave.
Saturday, June 10, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
North Milwaukee Post Office
5995 N. Teutonia Ave.

 

 

No appointment is necessary.  All job fairs are open to anyone interested in a Postal career. Our employees will help locate jobs across the state for potential applicants as needed.

 

USPS personnel will be on-site to help job fair attendees with benefits, qualifications, application questions, and have laptops to begin the application process.

 

While other companies are reducing their workforce, the Postal Service is actively hiring. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we are investing in our new personnel by providing robust training and on-the-job support.

 

Starting pay varies depending on the job.

 

Starting Pay

  • Rural Carrier Assistant, $19.94 per hour
  • City Carrier Assistant, $18.92 per hour
  • Postal Support Employee, $20.05 per hour

 

 

As part of our innovative and bold 10-year plan, Delivering for America, the Postal Service is focused on building a more stable and empowered workforce.

 

Applications are accepted online only at www.usps.com/careers.  Applicants must be 18 years of age and be able to pass drug screening and a criminal background investigation. Applicants must be available to work weekends and holidays.

 

The United States Postal Service is an equal opportunity employer offering a fast-paced, rewarding work environment with competitive compensation packages, on-the-job training, and opportunities for advancement.

 

# # #

 

The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 163 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube channel, like us on Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

Milwaukee PBS Producer Joins Milwaukee Media Legends as ‘Hall of Fame’ Member

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One of the driving creative forces behind Black Nouveau, Everett L. Marshburn, will be inducted in the Milwaukee Press Club’s 2019 Media Hall of Fame in November. Marshburn is honored with this extraordinary distinction for his decades-long passion to provide a platform and a voice to Milwaukee’s African American community.

“I am surprised and humbled by this honor,” said Everett L. Marshburn. “I am proud to be considered worthy of joining such a prestigious fellowship.”

Marshburn will be inducted, along with seven other leaders in Milwaukee’s media industry, for their “immeasurable contributions to local journalism.” During his tenure at Milwaukee PBS, Marshburn has served as the Producer of Black Nouveau, and also produced several documentaries that highlight the issues, culture, history and challenges affecting African Americans in southeastern Wisconsin. These include “Freedom Walkers for Milwaukee,”

“Jobs,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “Stories from the Homefront” and “Crossing the Bridge: A Black Nouveau Special.” Now in its 27th year, Black Nouveau is one of the nation’s longest running local monthly series and airs every first Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on Milwaukee PBS 10.

“Everett is dedicated to producing stories about the African American community that aren’t being told,” said Bohdan Zachary, General Manager of Milwaukee PBS. “He is essential to Milwaukee PBS’ commitment to produce and broadcast quality programming with topics of importance that reflect the voices and stories of the communities we serve. We are delighted he is being recognized with such a career milestone by the Milwaukee Press Club.”

Marshburn has won numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including: five Emmy Awards, two CINE Golden Eagles, a duPont Silver Baton from the Columbia University Journalism School, two Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Awards, a Gracie Allen award, three awards from the National Black Programming Consortium, and more than a dozen NABJ Salute to Excellence awards. He was the 2018 recipient of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Journalist of Distinction Award, the 2014 recipient of the Bayard Rustin Leadership Award from Diverse and Resilient in Milwaukee; a 2013 Inductee into Maryland Public Television’s Alumni Wall of Honor; and the 2012 Black Excellence Award in the field of Media from the Milwaukee Times.

The Milwaukee Press Club, founded in 1885, is the oldest continuously operating press club in North America. For additional information about the Milwaukee Press Club and previous inductees to the Media Hall of Fame, visitwww.milwaukeepressclub.org.

# # #

About Milwaukee PBS

Milwaukee PBS is southeastern Wisconsin’s premier non-commercial media organization.  Milwaukee PBS consists of two high-definition television stations, WMVS and WMVT, and four additional digital television services.  The Milwaukee PBS stations are the area’s only over-the-air source for PBS and other national public television programs. The stations are watched by over 627,770 viewers each week throughout southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Milwaukee PBS is a viewer-supported service of Milwaukee Area Technical College. MATC is a two-year vocational-technical college based in Milwaukee, WI offering day, evening and weekend classes on four campuses. For more information, visit www.MilwaukeePBS.org.

Is My Job My Career?

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Employment has always been a necessity for most of us to survive. In Milwaukee, over the past ten years our unemployment rate has dropped drastically. In 2009, our unemployment rate was over 12% while today we are at 2.8%, according to Fox6now. That’s just shy of a 10% difference.

This means that many people have now gained employment. More jobs have been created and more opportunities have presented themselves. More income opportunities reduces the level of crime and it’s safe to say, we are slowly but surely bridging the gap.

These numbers are indeed something to be excited about simply because it means that, as a community, we are moving. But as I think of the many families that are currently dealing with depression and the lack of finances I begin to wonder, “But are we happy? Do we work solely for the check or are we setting ourselves up for a greater future?” I invite you to ponder with me for a second.

By definition a job is a paid position of regular employment. This simply means that where we work is our job. I remember my first job. I worked in a fast food restaurant because that’s who hired me at 16. I didn’t feel I had many choices. I just knew I needed to get working. While in fact we do need money to survive, how do we choose a career? Or better yet, how do we know the difference?

A career, by definition, is an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress. This means there’s typically a greater goal in mind—a purpose. With a career it’s more than just about the money. A career is something you look at for your life from a long term perspective.

For instance, you may have dreams of becoming a loan officer. If you don’t have the experience necessary, you have to start somewhere. Now, of course you have the option to work a job in retail or maybe a local grocery store, but why not instead find something in the banking industry—even if it’s starting out as a teller?

When I decided that I wanted to become a local speaker, I began to look for opportunities to speak, host, and even write poetry. Since many of my skills are in communication and writing, I began to look for part time writing gigs that would accommodate my school schedule, yet put me in a place where I could exercise my voice.

Now, aside from writing, I currently work for an organization that helps people to achieve their goals as it relates to employment. To me, it’s the perfect job for my career path. When I go to work, I love it because I’m doing the exact thing that I desire to do.

I want to challenge you to create a plan for your life. Take them time to think about your goals. What’s your dream job? Do you currently possess the skills it takes to take your dream on full fledged? If not where can you start? Where are some places you would like to work? What role do you want to play? Do you need licensing, a degree, or certification? If so, what’s been holding you back?

You only have one life to live and you deserve to live abundantly. But patience is key. Know where you’re going and create a plan to get there. Write it down and execute. You deserve to be happy, on the job.

-LaShawnda S. Wilkins (@speaklifeshawnie)

Costly mistakes candidates make during interviews

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geralt / Pixabay

Article courtesy of People Matters via “The Rundown”

How does an interviewer think? What are the biggest red flags that an interviewee displays without realizing? What are some of the oddest exchanges that have transpired in an interview?

A recent CareerBuilder survey answers these, and many more questions.

The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder, gathered responses from 1,014 hiring managers and human resource professionals employed mostly in the US private sector between November and December 2017.

They were asked to share deal-breakers, odd behaviors and discuss the importance of body language and the following are the findings:

10 Most Lethal Interview Mistakes

The respondents were asked to list the behaviors that would result in them writing off candidates immediately.

The following are the top ten mistakes that were considered to be the worst:

1. Candidate is caught lying about something: 71%

2. Candidate answers a cell phone or texts during the interview: 67%

3. Candidate appears arrogant or entitled: 59%

4. Candidate appears to have a lack of accountability: 52%

5. Candidate swears: 51%

6. Candidate dresses inappropriately: 50%

7. Candidate talks negatively about current or previous employers: 48%

8. Candidate knows nothing about the job or company: 45%

9. Candidate has unprofessional body language: 43%

10. Candidate knows nothing about the industry or competitors: 35%