Civil rights activist The Rev. Al Sharpton demanded that Mayor Eric Adams host a “summit” at City Hall to address high unemployment among black New Yorkers, while also fighting a movement to eliminate controversial corporate diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
“This is a moral issue,” Sharpton said Thursday while noting that the 9.4% unemployment among black residents in the city was almost triple the number of white residents.
He said the issue is particularly pressing among “black and brown” outer-borough residents.
“For black unemployment to be almost three times as white unemployment… is inexcusable,” he said during a press conference at First Baptist Church in East Elmhurst, a neighborhood that was among the hardest hit during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Sharpton, an ally of Adams, challenged the city’s second black mayor to address the issue.
The civil rights leader spoke to Adams earlier Thursday morning, and said the mayor indicated he was “receptive” to holding a summit to address joblessness.
The head of the National Action Network said he was equally concerned about what he described as a “white backlash” to “DEI” programs — standing for diversity, equity and inclusion to boost minority hiring and advancement in corporate America and academia.
He said the backlash could increase unemployment for “black and brown” people.
Opponents said DEI programs exclude whites and Asian people in hiring and promotions.
Rev. Patrick Young, pastor of First Baptist Church, noted that 20 percent of residents in his community lived in poverty and 60% of their incomes goes to cover housing costs. The church delivers food and clothing every Saturday.
Other speakers included former city Comptroller Bill Thompson, among others.
Adams’ office had no immediate comment regarding Sharpton’s appeal.
