history and today-public work has a long tradition of benefiting many Black families who serve their communities. But in an economy where structural racism denies Black workers economic opportunities and economic security-which has amplified the racial wealth gap throughout U.S. Government jobs alone, obviously, cannot solve structural racism. Employment with numerous federal, state, and local government agencies throughout the 20th century not only offered a leg up to millions of Black families, but also became so identified with a path to the middle class that they hold cultural significance to many Black Americans. Public sector work has been a rare source of opportunity and security for African Americans in the U.S.
This issue brief is a product of CAP’s National Advisory Council on Eliminating the Black-White Wealth Gap.
