The Negro at Work in New York City: A Study in Economic Progress

A systematic empirical study examines the economic lives of Black residents of New York City, documenting population distribution, household structure, occupations, wages, and business ownership. The first part analyzes demographic traits, employment patterns, historical shifts in work, and measures of wages and efficiency among wage-earners; the second part surveys the character, scale, receipts, credit practices, customer relations, and examples of Black-owned enterprises. Combining statistical tables, interviews, and case studies, the work traces progress and persistent constraints in urban labor and commerce and outlines findings intended to guide policy and community efforts toward economic improvement.