A new report, Breaking the Chains: Reclaiming Wealth, Power, and Dignity for Black Men, released on April 22, 2025, by Equity and Transformation (EAT) and Fathers, Families & Healthy Communities (FFHC), offers a comprehensive analysis of the systemic barriers Black men face in Chicago's labor market. The study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these disparities and empower Black men and fathers in the city.
The report reveals that in 2021, Black men in Illinois had the lowest labor force participation rate among major U.S. cities, with only 53.1% engaged in the workforce. This figure is even more alarming for Black men aged 20 to 24 in Chicago, over half of whom were jobless—a stark contrast to the national average of 44.3%. These statistics underscore the deep-rooted structural challenges that have historically excluded Black men from economic opportunities.eatchicago.org
Richard Wallace, Executive Director of EAT, emphasized the compounded challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals, stating, “America demands labor for survival yet blocks many formerly incarcerated individuals from living wage employment, creating cycles of recidivism and poverty.” He noted that the report examines their experiences and offers clear-cut solutions to address this crisis.
Dr. Clinton Boyd, Jr., Executive Director of FFHC, framed the issue as a moral imperative: “This report forces a choice: We either continue to uphold the systems that have failed Black men for generations, or we commit to building new ones that affirm our humanity and unleash our greatness.” He called for a commitment to building new systems that affirm the humanity and potential of Black men.
The study also highlights the emotional and psychological toll that chronic unemployment takes on individuals, families, and entire communities. It underscores the need for comprehensive solutions that go beyond economic policies to address the broader social and emotional impacts of economic disenfranchisement.
In response to these findings, the report proposes a multifaceted approach to economic empowerment for Black men, including:
Wealth-Building Initiatives: Implementing reparations, targeted guaranteed income programs, baby bonds, and progressive tax reforms to break generational cycles of poverty and build wealth.Investment in Fatherhood Programs: Funding culturally rooted fatherhood programs that affirm Black men’s roles as protectors, family providers, and community leaders.
Support for Black-Owned Businesses: Increasing access to capital and legal protections for Black-owned businesses, worker cooperatives, and informal workers.Career Training and Education: Creating accessible pathways to careers in growing sectors like green energy, healthcare, and technology, with wraparound support services such as child care and transportation.
Community-Led Data Systems: Establishing a community-led statewide data system to track progress and strengthen Black men’s well-being. Matthew Bruce, Executive Director of the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance (CWFA), which is supporting the implementation of the report’s recommendations, emphasized the importance of elevating the voices of discouraged and overlooked workers: “Our work and pooled resources focus on breaking these cycles of economic disenfranchisement, reclaiming wealth and dignity, and creating a future where Black men can thrive, not just survive.”
The report's release was accompanied by a panel discussion featuring Wallace, Boyd, and Deon Hodrick, a focus group participant, moderated by Daniel O. Ash, President of the Field Foundation. The discussion focused on the ways in which the report's findings could be leveraged to create lasting change in the community.
The Breaking the Chains report serves as both an urgent call to action and a roadmap for transformative change. It challenges policymakers, community leaders, and institutions to confront the systemic barriers that have hindered Black men's economic mobility and to invest in solutions that promote equity, empowerment, and dignity.
For more information, the full report is available online here .