Long Island Regional Planning Council member Theresa Sanders recently told the Council that overcoming racial disparities would have a significant positive impact on our regional economy. Sanders, who is President and CEO of the Urban League of Long Island, made her remarks at a Council meeting held at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood.
While many barriers exist, leaders across sections are takings steps to advance racial inclusion and equitable growth buy need help reaching the necessary scale to tackle inequities. By empowering communities, cultivating home grown talent, and strengthening government’s roles, Long Island’s leaders will bolster the region’s competitiveness and help all Long Islanders see greater economic inclusion and sustained benefits.
Quoting from a report, “An Equity Profile of Long Island,” Sanders said that in 2014, an additional $24 billion would have entered the local economy if racial income gaps were closed and black residents with similar educations made the same as their white counterparts. Closing that gap would result in the average income of a black worker increasing by over $22,000.
“Despite the region’s achievements, the American Dream remains out of reach for many residents, particularly black families in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Long Island should aspire to be an “equitable region” where all residents, regardless of their race, ethnicity, income or residence, are fully integrated into a region’s economic vitality” said Sanders. “Public, private, and nonprofit leaders across the region must commit to advancing policies and strategies to achieve equity,” she said.
Black workers have seen their wages decline since 2000, and face an unemployment rate of 8.7 percent. Black residents in the region have a higher prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and asthma compared to most racial and ethnic groups. They are also among those most burdened by the high cost of housing. Educational and income barriers also affect young adults who can’t find affordable housing, as well as veterans and senior citizens, Sanders said.
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PolicyLink: Empowering Black Long Island: How Equity Is Key to the Future of Nassau and Suffolk Counties
