Breaking News

Charlene Crowell

COVID’s effects worsen America’s racial wealth gap: Blacks own 22 cents for every dollar held by whites Closing gaps would create 1.7 million jobs, add $300-450 billion to the economy
Charlene CrowellEconomyNationalNewsNews (Business)Op-Ed

COVID’s effects worsen America’s racial wealth gap: Blacks own 22 cents for every dollar held by whites Closing gaps would create 1.7 million jobs, add $300-450 billion to the economy

Charlene CrowellSeptember 30, 2021

As the global pandemic continues to take lives and infect multiple generations, virtually every dimension of life is challenged. And people with the fewest financial resources before COVID-19 are being challenged more than ever before.  

It is both a challenge and an opportunity for leadership in the Biden Administration, Congress, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with the private sector address to effect policies and practices that reverse the nation’s still-growing racial wealth gap. Tried and true wealth-building tools like targeted homeownership and expanded small business investments together would bring sustainable and meaningful changes to those who historically have been financially marginalized. 

President Biden Signs Bipartisan Bill to Curb Predatory Lending
Charlene CrowellOpinionUncategorized

President Biden Signs Bipartisan Bill to Curb Predatory Lending

Charlene CrowellJuly 8, 2021

In recent years, consumer finance protections withered through a series of harsh attacks that either outright rejected or significantly diminished financial guard rails in the marketplace. But a new consumer victory, urged by a groundswell of support from everyday people, academicians, and bicameral legislators signals an important step towards fair financial rules. On June 30, President Joe Biden’s signature ended an ill-advised rule that favored predatory loans instead of America’s consumers. “These are so called “rent-a-bank” schemes”, said President Joe Biden at the June 30 signing ceremony.  “And they allow lenders to prey on veterans, seniors, and other unsuspecting borrowers

Black America Needs a ‘New Normal’: Equitable Credit Access to Build Wealth
Charlene CrowellOpinion

Black America Needs a ‘New Normal’: Equitable Credit Access to Build Wealth

Charlene Crowell NNPA Newswire ContributorJune 17, 2021

Although many officials have called for a ‘return to normal’, millions of small businesses and communities need something new instead. In Black America especially, the ‘old normal’ never delivered equitable access to wealth-building opportunities as those that well-served served much of White America. Instead, a lengthy history of public policies designed to create and sustain a burgeoning middle class systemically excluded Blacks and other people of color.

A year of COVID-19 brought record consumer debt and collection complaints 
Charlene CrowellCOVID-19Economy

A year of COVID-19 brought record consumer debt and collection complaints 

 Charlene Crowell April 15, 2021

After more than a year of COVID-19, the nation’s collective ability to cope with dual public health and economic crises has diminished many consumers’ ability to remain financially stable. While this February’s national employment report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed a net gain of 379,000 jobs and white unemployment dropped to 5.6%, there was no corresponding improvement for Black and Latino workers. Instead, unemployment was respectively higher at 9.9% and 8.5%.   

Black America Needs a ‘New Normal’: Equitable Credit Access to Build Wealth
Charlene Crowell

Black America Needs a ‘New Normal’: Equitable Credit Access to Build Wealth

Charlene CrowellApril 8, 2021

Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed dual crises. Over 542,000 Americans lives were lost and continue to increase. At the same time, the rippling effects of a massive economic downturn has caused the nation to lose 9.5 million jobs – more losses than even those of the Great Recession, finds the University of New Hampshire’s Carsey School of Public Policy.   

$900 Billion Federal Stimulus: What’s In it, What’s Not, What Remains
Charlene CrowellEconomyNewsNews (Business)

$900 Billion Federal Stimulus: What’s In it, What’s Not, What Remains

Charlene CrowellJanuary 21, 2021

Although a New Year has begun, many American consumers and small businesses continue to feel a financial hangover from the challenges of 2020. As the global pandemic reveals a still-soaring American infection rate, the nation has also surpassed 350,000 related deaths, added more workers to the ranks of unemployed, and growing debts place millions more in financial crisis.  

Biden Nominations Broaden Black Women’s Leadership Roles: 1st Black Woman to Chair Council of Economic Advisers, 2nd in 40 Years to Head HUD
Charlene Crowell

Biden Nominations Broaden Black Women’s Leadership Roles: 1st Black Woman to Chair Council of Economic Advisers, 2nd in 40 Years to Head HUD

Charlene CrowellJanuary 7, 2021

The selection of California Senator Kamala Harris to join and then win the nation’s Vice-Presidency gave unprecedented hope to Black women across the nation. Not only had a woman broken a glass ceiling in professional development; she was also Black and a graduate of Howard University, one of the nation’s premier Historically Black Institutions.