Our Insights

The McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility’s mission is to help private-, public-, and social-sector leaders take coordinated action to accelerate Black economic development by providing in-depth research, convening with stakeholders, and translating research into practical assets and capabilities to create real-world impact.

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Our research methodology

The McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility holds itself to a high standard as it develops independent, objective research to support recommendations that can improve racial and economic inequities in communities around the world. In our process, we draw upon data from a wide range of sources and leverage research from leading academic institutions, think tanks, and global institutions—in addition to our unique McKinsey assets to produce new knowledge for the field.
Article

A guide to impact investing in Black economic mobility

– Eight socioeconomic pillars can support the growth of Black-owned businesses and increase opportunities for Black communities.
Article

Reimagining public health programs to deliver equitable impact
– By placing equity at the center of public health programs, government agencies could more effectively address disparities and improve health outcomes for all Americans.
Article

Zooming in: Using local insights to inform US racial-equity efforts
– Neighborhood-level data could help cities across the United States strategically craft interventions to effect real change for Black and Hispanic residents.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

Corporate commitments to racial justice: An update
– In the two years since McKinsey first analyzed corporate pledges to fight racial injustice, companies have continued to pledge money—but how it’s being spent remains unclear.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

How to close the Black tech talent gap
– Businesses risk billions if Black professionals continue to be underrepresented in tech jobs. Closing the gap means making changes to education, recruiting, and retention initiatives.
Report

A guide to impact investing in Black economic mobility
– Eight socioeconomic pillars can support the growth of Black-owned businesses and increase opportunities for Black communities.
Article

Closing the digital divide in Black America
– Five steps could help to bring broadband and digital equity to every Black household in the United States—urban and rural—while bolstering efforts to create a more inclusive economy.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

Unlocking the full potential in fashion for Black consumers
– Fashion brands can forge stronger connections with this segment by pursuing four strategies.
Interview

Making product inclusion and equity a core part of tech
– Annie Jean-Baptiste, the head of product inclusion and equity at Google, talks about how and why the tech giant works to incorporate DE&I and belonging into every aspect of the development process and what others can do to make the same shift.
Article

Mining for tech-talent gold: Seven ways to find and keep diverse talent
– A wealth of diverse tech talent is available, if companies expand their approach to hiring them.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

Investing in—and with—Black consumers in financial services
– Financial-services companies—specifically in banking and insurance—have an opportunity to address equity and gain commercial benefits by better serving Black consumers.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

Rules of the road: Equitably serving Black automotive consumers
– Black consumers’ automotive spending is projected to grow, and companies have opportunities to create more equitable experiences.
Report

Race in the workplace: The frontline experience
– Three of four frontline workers want to be promoted, but less than one in four achieves it. Companies can take targeted actions to better support these workers.
Article

Racial and ethnic equity in US higher education: Students and faculty
– Most nonprofit institutions have significant progress to make to reach their stated goals of representational parity.
Article

Racial and ethnic equity in US higher education: Completion rates
– Supporting students from underrepresented populations can help accelerate progress toward racial and ethnic equity in US higher education.
Executive Briefing

Racial and ethnic equity in US higher education
– Institutions have the potential to use their roles in teaching and learning, research scholarship and creative expression, and service to the community to collectively work toward greater equity.
Interview

The role of financial services in improving racial equity in the US
– In April 2022, McKinsey gathered a group of leaders in financial services to discuss the work they are doing to increase financial inclusion, address systemic challenges, and catalyze efforts to close the racial wealth gap.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

Black representation in the beauty industry
– Black beauty consumers and brands face deep challenges when it comes to equity. Removing those barriers can lead to greater opportunity for everyone in the industry.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

Meet the Black beauty execs
– Creating a path to a more equitable beauty market for Black brands represents a $2.6 billion opportunity. McKinsey talked to four founders and entrepreneurs who are leading the way.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

Nourishing equity: Meeting Black consumers’ needs in food
– Retailers and restaurants have an opportunity to give Black consumers equitable access to the foods they want.
Article

Expand diversity among your suppliers—and add value to your organization
– Companies can unlock more value in their supplier diversity programs by including higher-growth sectors and promoting diversity across the business ecosystem.
Video

Marketing to the multifaceted Black consumer
– To attract Black consumers, brands must demonstrate quality, social mission, and good value.
Article

What Black and Latino consumers want healthcare stakeholders to know
– Understanding consumer behavior and attitude drivers may help stakeholders improve health outcomes and experiences for Black and Latino patients.
Article

The rise of the inclusive consumer
– Social values are shaping purchase decisions more than ever—and retailers that act now stand to attract consumers’ loyalty and spending.
Report - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

Black consumers: Where to invest for equity (a preview)
– Effectively pursuing broad racial-equity goals can help consumer-facing companies better serve Black consumers.
Podcast

Serving the Black consumer is a $300 billion opportunity
– Tailor products specifically to meet Black consumer needs and wants, and not only is there economic value to be gained but also a greater chance to meet social and moral objectives.
Article

The Black unicorn: Changing the game for inclusivity in retail
– In the age of the inclusive consumer, harnessing the power of retail can increase demand for Black-owned brands.
Article

Toward an equitable economic recovery in Minneapolis–St. Paul
– By closing long-standing racial equity gaps and preparing people of color for the future of work, the region can put itself on track to recover both equitably and more quickly.
Article

Black farmers in the US: The opportunity for addressing racial disparities in farming
– Achieving peer-level economic performance could generate billions in value for the agriculture industry.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

A $300 billion opportunity: Serving the emerging Black American consumer
– There’s a big market to be unearthed if companies meet the real needs of Black consumers.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

How HBCUs can accelerate Black economic mobility
– Historically Black colleges and universities are uniquely positioned to inspire and support Black Americans in the five critical roles they play in the US economy.
Report - McKinsey Global Institute

The economic state of Black America: What is and what could be
– Closing racial gaps across the economy is not only about righting historic wrongs. It is also about choosing a more dynamic future and realizing the full potential of a massively underutilized source of talent, to the benefit of all Americans.
Report

The case for inclusive growth
– US leaders across sectors have an opportunity to improve economic performance—and bolster individual and community well-being—through investments that embed equity into the development process.
Article

Black representation in film and TV: The challenges and impact of increasing diversity
– New research reveals the barriers that Black talent in the film and TV industry faces, the economic fallout, and solutions for creating a more inclusive, equitable workplace.
Report

Race in the workplace: The Black experience in the US private sector
– Advancing racial equity in the workplace is a system-level challenge—ranging from the structural inequities of geography to underrepresentation in industries and jobs that could create additional opportunity to the behaviors of the workplace itself.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

America 2021: The opportunity to advance racial equity
– To America’s leaders, innovators, and changemakers: the task of building a more perfect society needs your help.
Article

The diversity imperative in retail
– Consumers are expecting more from brands than ever before, and the cost is high for retailers that don’t take action on racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

It’s time for a new approach to racial equity
– Despite decades of efforts by public-, private-, and social-sector organizations, racial inequity has only increased. Can a concerted, coordinated effort reverse this trend?
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

Building supportive ecosystems for Black-owned US businesses
– The right business ecosystems can mitigate or negate the effects of structural obstacles to business building for Black business owners—and add $290 billion in business equity.
Article

Problems amid progress: Improving lives and livelihoods for ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom
– Britain has made progress on advancing ethnic equality. But minorities are still disadvantaged in many ways, and some groups are particularly vulnerable to economic shocks.
Article

Racial equity in financial services
– The financial services talent pipeline shows a lack of representation of people of color, most acutely at senior levels. Changes in three key areas can help companies make progress.
Article

Insights on racial and ethnic health inequity in the context of COVID-19
– McKinsey’s Center for Societal Benefit through Healthcare shares insights on underlying health inequities that contribute to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and vulnerable populations.
Article

How COVID-19 has impacted Black-white financial inequality
– COVID-19 has disrupted everything from economic markets to personal finances, but not everyone feels its effects equally.
Article

COVID-19’s effect on minority-owned small businesses in the United States
– Already vulnerable, minority-owned small businesses brace for disproportionate impact. Here’s how to help.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

COVID-19: Investing in Black lives and livelihoods
– The unfolding public-health and possible economic disaster of the pandemic will disproportionately affect Black Americans—unless stakeholders respond immediately.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

The case for accelerating financial inclusion in black communities
– A lack of financial inclusion for black Americans exists at every level of the financial system. Understanding the sources of exclusion is the first step to fixing the system.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

The future of work in black America
– Research shows that automation trends may be widening the racial wealth gap. This article reveals possible interventions that may help African American workers prepare for the future.
Report - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

The economic impact of closing the racial wealth gap
– The persistent racial wealth gap in the United States is a burden on Black Americans as well as the overall economy. New research quantifies the impact of closing the gap and identifies key sources of this socioeconomic inequity.
Article

Automation and the future of the African American workforce
– Without concerted effort, automation could heighten disparities that already harm minority workers.

Featured blog

Introducing the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility

– Today our firm launches a think tank dedicated to advancing racial equity and inclusive growth to safeguard the lives of Black people around the world.

Related

Investing in Black economic mobility
– Racial equity and inclusive growth can drive economic mobility and a postpandemic recovery.

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