Black Thriving in America Report Shows Mixed Progress, Gender and Age Gaps Widen
Event summary
- The Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Gallup released the fourth annual Black Thriving in America report on September 11, 2026.
- Black thriving has rebounded to 49%, narrowing the gap with other groups.
- A seven-point gender gap has emerged between Black men and Black women, a divide that did not exist in 2023.
- Black seniors' thriving has fallen from 64% in 2023 to 53% in 2026.
- Nearly one-third of Black adults report being treated unfairly while shopping or in healthcare settings.
The big picture
The report represents an evolution in scope, now comparing U.S. wellbeing data with Gallup's World Poll across 140 countries. This expansion provides a broader context for understanding Black thriving in America, highlighting both progress and persistent disparities. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address gender and age-specific challenges within the Black community.
What we're watching
- Gender Disparity
- How the emerging seven-point gender gap between Black men and women will impact policy and workplace initiatives.
- Age-Based Thriving
- Whether the decline in thriving among Black seniors signals broader generational shifts in wellbeing.
- Global Comparisons
- The pace at which global wellbeing data will influence U.S.-specific equity and inclusion strategies.