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Unemployment skyrockets for young African Americans

The nation's rising unemployment has afflicted young African Americans at greater rates than any other socioeconomic group, reaching Great Depression proportions and accelerating a reversal of hard-won economic gains of the 1990s.

Victoria Kirby prepares to give a PowerPoint presentation to a class in her master's program at Howard University. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she opted to return to school after struggling to find work.

Victoria Kirby prepares to give a PowerPoint presentation to a class in her master's program at Howard University. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she opted to return to school after struggling to find work.

Katherine Frey-The Washington Post

Kirby discusses unemployment within the African-American population with fellow graduate students. While the overall unemployment rate was 9.8 percent in September, it reached 30 percent for 16-to-24-year-old African Americans.

Kirby discusses unemployment within the African-American population with fellow graduate students. While the overall unemployment rate was 9.8 percent in September, it reached 30 percent for 16-to-24-year-old African Americans.

Katherine Frey-The Washington Post

Kirby updates the Facebook and Twitter accounts for Howard University and to prepare for a class presentation.

Kirby updates the Facebook and Twitter accounts for Howard University and to prepare for a class presentation.

Katherine Frey-The Washington Post

Kirby raises her hand to join a classroom discussion. To help correct youth joblessness, the District is planning to expand vocational education and is using $14 million in various federal funds to train 18-to-24-year-olds for work, helping participants earn their GEDs and to create jobs.

Kirby raises her hand to join a classroom discussion. To help correct youth joblessness, the District is planning to expand vocational education and is using $14 million in various federal funds to train 18-to-24-year-olds for work, helping participants earn their GEDs and to create jobs.

Katherine Frey-The Washington Post

Kirby and two friends tease one another as they head to lunch near the Howard University campus.

Kirby and two friends tease one another as they head to lunch near the Howard University campus.

Katherine Frey-The Washington Post

Kirby said she applied for administrative jobs on Capitol Hill, but was told she was overqualified. She sought a teaching position in the D.C. public schools through the Teach for America program, but said she was rejected because of a flood of four times the usual number of applicants.

Kirby said she applied for administrative jobs on Capitol Hill, but was told she was overqualified. She sought a teaching position in the D.C. public schools through the Teach for America program, but said she was rejected because of a flood of four times the usual number of applicants.

Katherine Frey-The Washington Post

Gallery Credits:
Producer Stephen Cook Captions Sarah Halzack

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