Business
What’s on the Economic Horizon for Black America in 2015?
by Starla Muhammad
Special to the NNPA from The Final Call
(FinalCall.com) – While the overall economic picture generated optimism for some last year, as the country heads into 2015 a majority of low and middle income Black, Brown and poor Americans still suffer from financial struggles carried over from the Great Recession.
President Barack Obama, at his end of year press conference, spoke of the creation of 11 million new jobs by businesses over a 57-month period. These gains are the result of steps taken early on by this administration to rescue the economy, said the president.
“Almost all the job growth that we’ve seen has been in full-time positions. Much of the recent pickup in job growth has been in higher-paying industries. And in a hopeful sign for middle-class families, wages are on the rise again,” said Mr. Obama to reporters Dec. 19.
According to the White House, the “U.S. economic recovery took a major step forward in 2014, achieving a number of important milestones.”
In its “Year in Review: Creating Economic Opportunity for all Americans in 2014,” among accomplishments the administration touted:
November, 2014 was the best year of job growth since 1999.
Fifteen thousand jobs were added by the manufacturing sector.
The U.S. has the highest graduation rate on record and more Americans earning post-secondary degrees than ever.
The U.S. was on top as the leading oil and gas producer globally.
There was a continued rise in home prices which cut the number of upside down mortgages from a peak of 14 million to less than 4 million.
Ten million Americans are now insured under the Affordable Care Act and there is a slower rate of rising health care costs.
The federal deficit has been cut by nearly two-thirds.
Additionally, overall unemployment rates continued to fall, averaging in single digits while oil prices decreased globally, meaning lower prices at gas pumps for American consumers.
Growth during the last two quarters for the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is the goods and services consumers purchase, is one economic indicator analysts used when looking at the overall health of the economy noted economist Dr. Julianne Malveaux explained to The Final Call. The third quarter reflected an increase in GDP of 5 percent, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. Personal income increased $54.4 billion, or 0.4 percent, disposable personal income increased $42.4 billion, or 0.3 percent, private wages and salaries increased $38.7 billion and goods-producing industries’ payrolls increased $7.3 billion all in November, according to the department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis. Government wages and salaries also increased $1.8 billion.
“People are poised to spend. At the same time, there is a clear divide between the top and the bottom,” said Dr. Malveaux.
Uneven economic recovery
“You have this bifurcation that says the economy is doing very well and you have people that are saying, ‘but what about me?’ Of course when White America experiences some discomfort, Black America experiences extreme discomfort,” said Dr. Malveaux.
“If I were to summarize the year 2014 there have been macro-economic gains like GDP growth, etc., and micro-economic stagnancy, if not reversals. And so it has not been a stellar year for African Americans. There is vulnerability here in our community that we can’t ignore.”
Blacks continued to make up disproportionately high numbers of the unemployed, lagged behind in income equality and housing disparities and other socio-economic areas in comparison to Whites.
Double digit unemployment continued to plague Black America in 2014. In the final numbers released by the U.S. Department of Labor for November 2014, the overall unemployment rate was 5.8 percent or 9.1 million people out of work. The rate for Blacks was 11.1 percent, for Whites 4.9 percent and for Latinos 6.6 percent. December’s numbers will be released in early January 2015.
“While you see a lower unemployment rate the employment population ratio, which means the percentage of people who are actually working, for White men that number is nearly 70 percent, for Black men the number does not clear 60 percent,” said Dr. Malveaux.
If it’s wealth you see less, if it’s poverty you see more among Blacks, said Dr. Malveaux, president emerita of Bennett College for Women.
Several reports and analysis released in 2014 reflected continued gaps in key areas.
According to talkpoverty.org, in 2013, there were 11 million Blacks in poverty, the equivalent of 27 percent of the overall poverty rate. The Black child poverty rate stood at 38.3 percent. Blacks currently make up between 12-13 percent of the U.S. population.
Much of the wealth accumulated over the last five years has been stock market gains because the Dow has gone up alongside acceleration in housing values. But few Blacks invest in the stock market and a greater percentage of Whites own their homes compared to Blacks, said Dr. Malveaux.
After the real estate bubble burst, home values finally began to stabilize between 2010 and 2013 but at a rate slower for Blacks. Between those years inflation-adjusted median home values fell by 4.6 percent for White households and 18.4 percent for Black households, according to an October report by the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington D.C.-based think tank.
Also, the Federal Reserve has artificially kept interest rates low which impacts the Black community, said Dr. Malveaux. “They’ve kept rates low to stimulate employment. Raising interest rates makes it more difficult for businesses to borrow and therefore more difficult for businesses to hire.”
Many businesses have borrowed but the effect has not trickled down to the masses, she explained.
Asians have fully recovered from the recession; Whites have about 90 percent of what they had before the recession, Latinos have 60 percent and Blacks have 50 percent, added Dr. Malveaux.
More of the same?
Income, asset ownership and the state of Black business are key areas that must be analyzed in determining the progress of Black people, said Cedric Muhammad, an economic strategist, analyst and author of “The Entrepreneurial Secret.” “On those three measures I would say things are more pessimistic,” he told The Final Call.
The Pew Research Center released a mid-December report stating that the wealth of White households was 13 times the median wealth of Black households in 2013, compared to eight times the wealth in 2010.
The median wealth of Black households fell to $11,000 in 2013 compared to Whites which actually increased from $138,000 to $141,000 during the same years.
The median income of Whites is also nearly double that of Blacks.
There are over 2 million Black-owned businesses in the U.S. but only 100,000 of those businesses have more than one paid employee.
“If you look at percentages and ratios none of those is an improvement over our historic deficit with White Americans,” said Mr. Muhammad. He referred to “A Torchlight for America,” a book by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam which pointed out the rate of gain it would take Blacks to completely close the gap in income with Whites. “It shows it would take 400 years for us to completely close the gap,” said Mr. Muhammad.
Dr. Malveaux expects more of the same or worse in 2015 especially now that Republicans have gained control of both houses of Congress. They will be freer to explore their policies that have been hostile to the people at the bottom, she said.
“While they have increased the amount of money that corporations can give to campaigns and to PACs (Political Action Committees), consolidating power among the wealthy, they have been very parsimonious when it comes to benefits and assistance to people at the bottom.”
She expects the GOP to make cuts which will disproportionately affect Blacks like SNAP benefits, formerly known as the federal food stamp program. She expects fewer federal Pell grants to be made available which is the method many poor people rely on to pay for college.
“We can expect to see some erosion of Black economic status. I don’t see anything, and I could be wrong and I hope I am, that suggests anyone is focused on the well-being of African American people. The Congressional Black Caucus has certainly been episodically effective … but they’re an extreme minority. It has been challenging for them to influence public policy,” said Dr. Malveaux.
Changes in public policy, regulations or legislation that would benefit or work for those who continue to struggle in the GOP-dominated Congress are unlikely, she added.
“There is no reason for them to do anything than what they’ve always done which is take it from the needy to give it to the greedy.”
Black people must begin to build wealth through asset, business ownership and land acquisition and not be distracted from focusing on real economic indicators, said Cedric Muhammad.
Viable solution at hand
Like his teacher the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Minister Farrakhan has consistently stressed the critical need for Black people to “Do for self or suffer the consequences.” Other communities have demonstrated this principle to their benefit.
Collective economic power enables residents in various ethnic enclaves to control the politics and affairs of their communities.
With over $1 trillion in spending power for over 45 million Black people in America that is often talked about, strategic economic targeting of where that money is spent is key to progress.
In his enlightening online lecture series, “The Time and What Must Be Done,” Min. Farrakhan spoke to this very issue.
“Did you know six cents of every dollar is all we spend with Black Businesses? And according to one study made by the Gazelle Index, a national quarterly survey of CEOs of high performing small businesses and businesses owned by diverse groups, if we double what we spend to 12 cents, that alone would create nearly 600,000 additional jobs for Black workers, and would reduce the Black unemployment rate by more than three points (from 13.8 percent to 10.6 percent),” said Min. Farrakhan.
“Don’t tell me ‘we don’t have the power!’ We just have never used it wisely,” he continued. Under the Muslim leader’s direction, the Nation of Islam reintroduced Muhammad’s Economic Blueprint, a program designed to help end poverty and want in the Black community. The program calls for 16 million wage earning Blacks to contribute 35 cents weekly to purchase farmland and help create industry and businesses to begin providing jobs. Such a small amount of painless sacrifice would net over $291 million in one year.
“Today guess what, collectively, we are still richer than 19 countries in the world. Just think about how rich you and I are. That’s why if we support in this year 2015, Muhammad’s Economic Blueprint, it’s only $1.40 a week, it’s only $18.40 a year. But collectively we would have a national treasury that we could begin to get land, because America is for sale,” Ishmael R. Muhammad, student national assistant to Min. Farrakhan and a son of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad told the audience at Mosque Maryam, in a Dec. 28 address.
The program would be a mechanism to buy up the empty lots and abandoned buildings and put young Black people to work to renovate these buildings put them back on the market to provide decent housing to the people, said student Minister Ishmael Muhammad.
“Let’s open up the grocery stores that are missing in these food deserts. It’s not on government to do it for us it’s on us to do it for ourselves.”
For more information on Muhammad’s Economic Blueprint, visit www.economicblueprint.org.
Black Press
Early Childhood Nonprofit Celebrates a Century of Success
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — “Our work has never been more urgent,” said NAEYC CEO Michelle Kang. “We need systems that truly value children and the people who care for and educate them. Early childhood educators are the workforce behind the workforce—skilled, dedicated professionals whose impact reaches children, families, businesses, and communities nationwide. By recognizing these educators’ expertise, investing in their compensation, and elevating their contributions, we invest in our collectiv
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) commemorates its 100th anniversary this year, marking a century of advocacy, innovation, and leadership in early childhood education (ECE).
Founded in 1926 as the National Association for Nursery Education, NAEYC began with a simple but powerful belief: young children deserve better, and the people who care for them deserve a voice. Today, NAEYC stands as the nation’s largest early childhood education association, with tens of thousands of members, 50 affiliates in nearly every state, more than 5,800 accredited early learning programs serving over half a million children and nearly half a million families, and nearly 180 accredited higher education programs teaching the next generation of early childhood educators.
“Our work has never been more urgent,” said NAEYC CEO Michelle Kang. “We need systems that truly value children and the people who care for and educate them. Early childhood educators are the workforce behind the workforce—skilled, dedicated professionals whose impact reaches children, families, businesses, and communities nationwide. By recognizing these educators’ expertise, investing in their compensation, and elevating their contributions, we invest in our collective future.”
A Century of Progress
Over the past 100 years, NAEYC has created the foundational infrastructure of the early childhood education field. Key milestones include:
- Publishing the first professional standards in 1929
- Collaborating to develop the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in the 1970s
- Launching the first voluntary national accreditation system in 1985
- Establishing Developmentally Appropriate Practice guidelines in 1987 to promote each child’s optimal development and learning
- Creating the field’s first Code of Ethics in 1989
More recently, NAEYC convened Power to the Profession (2017–2020), a national collaboration of 15 organizations and 11,000+ educators that developed the “Unifying Framework,” which defines shared career pathways, qualifications, and compensation recommendations for the early childhood workforce.
A Crisis of Today
While the science is clear that high-quality early childhood education changes trajectories for children, families, and communities, today’s early childhood educators remain undervalued and under-supported. Early childhood educators currently earn a median wage of $15.41 per hour, even as families pay an average of $13,128 per year for child care.
“Families can’t afford to pay more, educators can’t afford to earn less,” said Kang. “Our entire nation suffers as parents can’t find or afford the high-quality care they need, pulling themselves out of the workforce in the process.”
A Year of Reflections and Events
As the centerpiece of its centennial commemoration, NAEYC has launched A Year of Reflections, a storytelling initiative inviting educators, families, and advocates to share the moments, mentors, and milestones that have shaped their journeys in early childhood education. Monthly themes throughout 2026—from beginnings to workforce advocacy to a vision for the future—aim to not only surface important stories and storytellers in the field but will help inform NAEYC’s next chapter.
Black History
Together Building Back Better
AFRICAN-AMERICAN NEWS AND ISSUES – DALLAS — For more than 57 years, the SHAPE Community Center has served as a cornerstone of Houston’s Third Ward, providing essential programs based on principles of unity and collective responsibility. Known as “The United Nations of The ‘Hood,” the center recently faced its most difficult challenge following a devastating electrical fire at the Nia Becnel Family Center.
I’m going through the most challenging experience of my life with SHAPE,” said Deloyd Parker. He has served as the executive director of the historic SHAPE Community Center for over 57 years and is still energetic and driven by the love of serving the people. Known as “The United Nations of The ‘Hood,” SHAPE is a precious cornerstone of Houston’s Third Ward, serving generations of families through programs and activities, with emphasis on Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work & Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.
January 2027 will mark two years since a devastating electrical fire took place at SHAPE’s Nia Becnel Family Center, located at 3815 Live Oak. The building and priceless historical items were significantly damaged and lost. That included the “Wall of Fame” photo collection that adorned the interior walls. Nedzra Ward, President of the Board of Directors, shared how the fi rst few days aft er the fire were very trying for everyone who loved SHAPE and those who visited the sacred grounds were in shock and silence. “We knew we had to start working to get things back up,” said Ms. Ward who has been apart of SHAPE’s staff and board for decades. In the aftermath, Ms. Ward called the insurance company and then reached out to Charles Cave to be the lead project manager. They also reached out to engineers Brian Smith, Barbara Smith and Frank Brown, and other experts to formulate the group known as Together Building Back Better (TBBB).
The team met weekly at the Harambee Admin Building located at 3903 Almeda Rd. And to continue serving the people, Mr. Parker and team worked to get that building certified and operational, especially for the children. “Deloyd never stopped. He was the driving force for everything. He made sure that someone was taking care of licenses and that this place was being refigured. His whole goal was to have these kids back and in a safe environment,” said Ms. Ward. “We have served the people for 57 years and as a result of serving the people, the people are coming through,” said Mr. Parker. “It’s going to take more than a fi re to put us out.
Volunteers from the community stepped up to help at Harambee Admin Building. Many programs, events and activities have resumed including the weekly Elders Institute of Wisdom and enrollment is now open for the 2026-2027 After School Enrichment Program. Soft opening scheduled for November The desire was to reopen the gutted Live Oak location within a year but Ms. Ward and Mr. Cave described the many challenges SHAPE has faced in this rebuilding effort. The insurance did not cover everything that’s needed and tariffs
The post TOGETHER BUILDING BACK BETTER appeared first on African American News and Issues.
Based on reporting by African-American News and Issues – Dallas.
Black Press
Dallas Trinity FC Signs Kaiya Brewer to Academy Contract
THE DALLAS WEEKLY — Dallas Trinity FC has signed 15-year-old midfielder and forward Kaiya Brewer to an academy contract, allowing the Kansas City native to train and compete in the Gainbridge Super League while maintaining her collegiate eligibility. Brewer joins the professional club following a stint with Kansas City Current II and a successful youth career with the Utah Royals U19 ECNL.
DALLAS (Oct. 21, 2026) – Dallas Trinity FC announced today that it has signed 15-year-old midfielder and forward Kaiya Brewer to an academy contract. The academy contract allows Brewer to train and compete with Dallas Trinity FC in the Gainbridge Super League while preserving her collegiate eligibility.
Brewer joins Dallas Trinity FC after competing with Kansas City Current II in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). The Kansas City, Kansas, native also played for Utah Royals U19 ECNL, where she earned ECNL Midwest All-Conference First Team honors.
“Kaiya is an exciting young player with the opportunity to take an important next step in her development here in Dallas,” said Brian Corcoran, sporting director for Dallas Trinity FC. “Our academy pathway gives players the chance to challenge themselves in a professional environment while keeping their college options open. We look forward to supporting Kaiya as she grows within our club.”
Brewer made her first appearance for Dallas Trinity FC on Oct. 17, opening the scoring in the club’s 3-2 win over Chivas Femenil in the 2026 State Fair Clásico at Cotton Bowl Stadium. The international friendly did not count toward official league statistics.
“Kaiya brings pace, vision and a willingness to put pressure on opponents,” said Lee Nguyễn, first team manager and technical director for Dallas Trinity FC. “The Clásico was a great opportunity for her to test herself, and it was encouraging to see her take that chance and score. We’re excited to help her build on that experience and keep developing her game.”
Brewer joins her older sister, Dallas Trinity FC defender Meila Brewer, who signed with the club in September and is representing the United States at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
PLAYER BIO
Name: Kaiya Brewer
Pronunciation: KAY-uh BROO-er
Position: Attacker
Height: 5-7
Jersey Number: #26
Date of Birth: December 6, 2010 (15)
Hometown: Kansas City, Kansas
Nationality: United States
Previous Club: Kansas City Current II (WPSL)
TRANSACTION: Dallas Trinity FC signs midfielder and forward Kaiya Brewer to an academy contract. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The post Dallas Trinity FC Signs Kaiya Brewer to Academy Contract appeared first on Dallas Weekly.
Based on reporting by The Dallas Weekly.
Black Press
Dallas Mavericks Unite Players, Legends and the Oak Cliff Community at 2026 Community Tip-Off
THE DALLAS WEEKLY — The Dallas Mavericks launched their 2026-27 season by bringing the annual Community Tip-Off directly to the residents of Southern Dallas. Held at Halperin Park in Oak Cliff, the free event attracted approximately 3,000 children and featured current stars alongside franchise legends.
Dirk Nowitzki played 21 seasons for the Dallas Mavericks, becoming one of the most recognizable players in franchise history. However, some of the younger fans attending the team’s 2026 Community Tip-Off had a question for the Mavericks legend.
“I’m sure some of these kids didn’t know who I was because they asked,” Nowitzki said. “Some of them asked me, ‘Did you play for the Mavs?’ I think so, when your parents were around.”
It was one of many interactions that took place Monday afternoon as the Mavericks brought their 2026 Community Tip-Off directly to the people of Southern Dallas at Halperin Park in Oak Cliff.
Thousands of children had the opportunity to play basketball, enjoy festivities and spend time with their favorite Mavericks players and legends at the free community event, presented by Ticketmaster.
Mavericks president of business operations Ethan Casson spoke about the planning that went into bringing the celebration to Oak Cliff and the organization’s desire to create something different for the community.
“I think what we wanted to do for this season was really establish something that was about creating something more substantial, being very intentional with our efforts,” Casson said. “What if we showed up in a very grand way?”
That vision helped bring the Mavericks to Halperin Park, a bridge park constructed over Interstate 35E to reconnect Oak Cliff neighborhoods that had been separated by the highway for decades.
“We recognize what this park physically represents, which is connecting communities,” Casson said. “And when you’re able to visit, which we did with April and her team, the vision started to come to life.”
The park officially opened in May after years of planning, fundraising and community involvement. The Mavericks saw an opportunity to bring basketball and entertainment to a space created to strengthen relationships between neighborhoods.
April Allen, president and CEO of the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, appreciated the organization choosing Oak Cliff for its season-opening celebration.
“For the Mavs to come here to Oak Cliff, to spend the time, energy and resources that you see here is really a testament to their commitment to community,” Allen said. “We’re so grateful and honored that they chose us for this experience.”
The Mavs Foundation also presented a $50,000 grant to Halperin Park during the celebration, providing additional financial support for the community space.
Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert attended the event and emphasized the importance of bringing celebrations and resources to Southern Dallas rather than leaving communities behind.
“We’ve got to continue to make sure that our community members are not left behind, and we’ve got to take things and be bold about going and being a part of community assets like Halperin Park,” Tolbert said.
(Roberto Hernandez/Dallas Mavericks)
The park represents an opportunity for neighborhoods to reconnect while creating a space where residents can gather and build relationships.
“I see that park as now a bridge that’s going to help us do that, even at a higher level,” Tolbert said.
Nowitzki also recognized the significance of the park and the investment that went into bringing the project to life.
“We all know what this park means to Dallas,” Nowitzki said. “Obviously, it’s been a project that’s been in the works for a long, long time.”
The Mavericks transformed Halperin Park into a gathering place filled with children playing basketball, visiting food vendors and interacting with players they had watched throughout the season.
Casson estimated approximately 3,000 children participated in the Community Tip-Off, including students from kindergarten through sixth-grade after-school programs.
Parents, teachers, local businesses and nonprofit organizations also attended, helping bring different parts of the Southern Dallas community together for the afternoon.
Approximately 200 Mavericks staff members helped organize the celebration, along with basketball operations personnel and corporate partners. Casson emphasized that bringing the entire organization together was an important part of making the event possible.
“When I say it was all hands on deck, it was all hands on deck,” Casson said. “It was really just one goal. How do we make it grand?”
Once the celebration began, the players had opportunities to interact with young fans and share messages about pursuing their dreams.
Mavericks forward Morez Johnson Jr. was among those who took the opportunity to encourage children to believe in themselves and work toward their goals.
“I think it means a lot, you know, to give these kids a lot to look up to,” Johnson said.
Johnson also reflected on messages shared with the children by his teammates, including P.J. Washington, Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg, about working hard and remaining focused on their dreams.
As one of the newer members of the Mavericks organization, Johnson appreciated the welcome he received and the chance to begin building relationships with the Dallas community.
“They welcomed me with open arms,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to get a chance to spend some time with these kids when I’m done with the interviews. I’m grateful to be here.”
For Casson, having players interact with children was one of the most meaningful parts of the celebration. He believes many athletes can relate to the experiences of young fans because of the coaches, teachers and mentors who helped shape their lives.
“To see your superheroes in person and know that those superheroes raised their hand and said they want to be here and be a part of it for this group is pretty special,” Casson said.
Nowitzki has experienced that relationship with Mavericks fans for more than two decades. Although some of the children were too young to remember his playing career, he appreciated the opportunity to connect with another generation.
“It’s cool to still get embraced by the city that I’ve played for for so long and now is my home,” Nowitzki said. “So definitely special. It means a lot.”
While the Community Tip-Off helped introduce the Mavericks to another generation of fans, the organization hopes to continue bringing similar celebrations to neighborhoods throughout Dallas.
Casson said the team plans to make the event an annual tradition, with future celebrations taking place in different communities.
“This is just the beginning,” Casson said. “This celebration we plan to bring to different communities, special communities throughout Dallas, year after year after year.”
The organization’s plans to visit other neighborhoods will not end its involvement in Southern Dallas. Casson emphasized that the Mavericks intend to continue supporting the community through additional programs, resources and investments.
Halperin Park was built to reconnect neighborhoods that had been separated for decades. On Monday, it also brought together generations of Mavericks fans, from those who watched Nowitzki throughout his career to children meeting him and the current team for the first time.
The Mavericks came to Oak Cliff to celebrate the beginning of the 2026-27 NBA season, but their goal extends beyond one afternoon of basketball and entertainment.
For Casson, the lasting impact of the celebration will depend on the organization’s willingness to continue showing up for the communities it serves.
“I think it’s important when you do any event, big or small, that it’s not a one-off,” Casson said. “This is about showing up again and again and again in different ways.”
The post Dallas Mavericks Unite Players, Legends and the Oak Cliff Community at 2026 Community Tip-Off appeared first on Dallas Weekly.
Based on reporting by The Dallas Weekly.
Black Press
Chase Launches Fraud & Scam Prevention Month
JPMorganChase is launching Chase Fraud & Scam Prevention Month this November to help consumers protect their personal information and finances. As the holiday season approaches, the nationwide initiative provides education on avoiding sophisticated tactics used by criminals, such as phishing and impersonation scams. The program features free workshops hosted by community managers across the lower 48 states and builds on existing financial wellness efforts that have reached over one million customers. Read more to learn how these new resources and technologies aim to stop financial crimes.
New initiative builds on Chase’s longstanding commitment to fraud and scam prevention education nationwide.
NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2026 – Scams can happen to anyone. That’s why Chase is dedicating November to helping consumers protect themselves.
As consumers prepare for the holiday season, criminals are increasingly using sophisticated tactics to pressure people into sending money, sharing personal information and making decisions they’ll later regret.
This November, JPMorganChase is launching Chase Fraud & Scam Prevention Month, a nationwide consumer education initiative designed to help people recognize common scams, avoid in-the-moment mistakes and better protect their money and personal information during the holiday season.
The initiative builds on Chase’s longstanding efforts to help consumers navigate fraud and scams through education, awareness and community-based programming. Through its financial wellness initiatives, Chase has served more than 1 million customers and continues to host more than 1,000 fraud and scam prevention workshops annually across the country.
Throughout November, Chase Community Managers will host free educational workshops in all lower 48 states, as Chase continues to expand digital resources and consumer awareness efforts focused on helping people spot scams and take practical steps to protect themselves. Programming will address scams commonly seen during the holiday season, including impersonation scams, package delivery phishing attempts, gift card scams, fake online deals and fraudulent charity solicitations.
“Scammers are constantly adapting their tactics, making education and awareness more important than ever,” said Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Consumer Banking at Chase. “For years, JPMorganChase has invested in helping consumers recognize scams, understand warning signs and feel empowered to protect themselves. Chase Fraud & Scam Prevention Month builds on that commitment by providing practical guidance that can help people make safer decisions during the holiday season.”
Fraud and scam prevention remains a key component of Chase’s broader commitment to consumer financial wellness. Through educational workshops, local partnerships and community outreach, Chase helps communities build financial confidence and stay informed about evolving fraud and scam threats. The firm also works closely with law enforcement to share scam trends and insights and help drive more effective interventions as agencies work to combat financial crime.
Ongoing Fraud and Scam Prevention Efforts
Beyond consumer education, Chase continues to invest in technology, partnerships and customer protections designed to help prevent fraud and scams before they occur.
Scam prevention is embedded throughout the customer experience, from account opening and authentication to payments and customer service interactions. Chase continues to strengthen protections across the customer journey through targeted warnings, risk-based interventions, behavioral science-informed approaches and frontline employee training. These efforts help employees identify potential scams, recognize warning signs and better support customers who may be at risk of fraud or scams.
In addition, the firm continues to invest in next-generation security tools, including expanded use of passkeys and other authentication technologies designed to help defend against phishing, social engineering and account takeover attempts, as well as Trusted Contact Person, which allows customers to designate a trusted adult who may be notified of certain transactions to help guard against potential fraud or financial exploitation.
Earlier this year, JPMorganChase also announced nearly $14 million in philanthropic investments focused on consumer awareness, real-time prevention and victim support.
For more information about Chase’s fraud and scam prevention efforts and tips, visit Chase.com/security and attend a local fraud and scam prevention workshop.
About Chase
Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America with operations worldwide, assets of $5 trillion and $375 billion in stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2026. Chase serves more than 87 million consumers and 7.5 million small businesses with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans and payment processing. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: 5,100 branches in 48 states and the District of Columbia, 14,500 ATMs, mobile, online and by phone. For more information, go to chase.com.
Black Press
Fate of Bay Area Public Transit Hinges on Regional Transit Measure
Voters in five Bay Area counties will decide the fate of a regional sales tax measure on Nov. 3 that could determine the future of local public transportation. If approved, the Regional Transit Measure would implement new sales taxes in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco counties starting in 2027. The funding aims to address massive financial deficits facing agencies like BART and Muni, providing nearly $1 billion annually to prevent station closures and service cuts. Read more.
On Nov. 3, voters in five Bay Area counties will vote on a regional sales tax measure that, if it fails, could prompt local transit agencies to close train stations and cut bus service.
If passed, the Regional Transit Measure, or RTM, will impose a half-cent sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties as well as a one-cent sales tax in San Francisco starting April 2027.
The tax would raise an estimated $980 million annually for 14 years to fund the region’s public transit agencies, which are struggling with massive financial deficits. Revenue would go to BART, Muni, Caltrain, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, the San Francisco Bay Ferry, Golden Gate Transit, and other transportation agencies operating in the five counties.
In California, a regional measure for a new sales tax would normally require a two-thirds majority approval if the state Legislature directly places it on a ballot. Transit advocates, however, chose to collect signatures to make the sales tax a citizen-initiated ballot measure that would lower the threshold to a simple majority of votes cast across the five counties.
The RTM received more than 241,000 signatures, exceeding the 186,000-signature threshold required to qualify for the ballot.
2026 Silverado High Country: Ride Quality Disappointment #shorts
Community Center: Saving Lives, Creating Safe Spaces & Boosting Local Economy! #shorts
From The Desk of The Editor 10/28/26
REBROADCAST! HE SAID, HE SAID, HE SAID: Author, Historian, Educator, Brad Pazant — FRI 10.30.26 7PM
From FREE Coaching to PAID Impact: My Community Mission #shorts
NFN Live Jumua Khatib Ismael Saleem at 2026 CDLC
Mike Tate on Building North Commons | Blacklight on Sports
Test the Buick Enclave’s Highway Acceleration Before You Buy #shorts
High Country Silverado: Upscale Crew Cab Pickup Review #shorts
Coach of the Week – Lashunta Mosley
OP-ED: Haiti TPS: Have We Lost Sense of Humanity?
All Skinfolk Ain’t Kinfolk
Latinas Deserve Equal Pay. Unions Help Make It Happen.
A $2.1 Trillion Wellness Industry Never Built a Daily Practice for Black Children. So This Atlanta Family Did.
Zakiya Jendayi Arrested, Locked Out of Home by Sheriff’s Deputies
Oakland Awarded More than $14 Million in State Funding
OP-ED: Washington Has a Chance to Save Veterans’ Lives
Practitioners of African Traditional Spirituality Offer Ancestral Reverence Ritual Oct. 31
Tamiko Armstead | 2026 Lifetime Achiever in Education
Montclair Brewery: Brewing Culture, Community, History
2026 Silverado High Country: Ride Quality Disappointment #shorts
Community Center: Saving Lives, Creating Safe Spaces & Boosting Local Economy! #shorts
From The Desk of The Editor 10/28/26
From FREE Coaching to PAID Impact: My Community Mission #shorts
NFN Live Jumua Khatib Ismael Saleem at 2026 CDLC
Mike Tate on Building North Commons | Blacklight on Sports
Test the Buick Enclave’s Highway Acceleration Before You Buy #shorts
High Country Silverado: Upscale Crew Cab Pickup Review #shorts
Coach of the Week – Lashunta Mosley
Jamal’s Take: Cowboys Crush Eagles 38–21 as Javonte Williams Goes OFF
-
Featured1 week agoBLACK MEN VOTE: Mobilizing 100,000 Black Men Ahead of the Midterms 📱
-
Art4 days agoCapturing Black Life’s Beauty
-
Black Press5 days agoSecretary of State Shirley Weber Pushes Back Against DOJ Demands Over California Voter Rolls
-
Black Press1 week agoOP-ED: For Us It’s Feel-a-Nomics
-
Art1 week agoOP-ED: Is Creativity a Superpower in Early Education?
-
Black History5 days agoOakland Honors 60 Years of the Black Panther Party at the All Power to the People Gala
