Black people and communities are under siege due to the two pandemics—COVID-19 and racism. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the historical and contemporary inequities that Black families and communities have experienced throughout their life course and their daily lives. Black adults are at high risk of catching, being hospitalized with, and dying from the coronavirus. Black children are also sickened and hospitalized at a higher rate than white children. Simultaneously, when compared to whites, Black adults are more likely to live in poverty, be unemployed and underemployed, have low income and wealth, be killed by police, and be imprisoned in their lifetime. The pandemic, coupled with racism, has resulted in the lives of Black families and children changing for the worse, which has implications for their well-being through this pandemic and over their life course. It is urgent that the United States addresses the specific needs of Black children and their families and communities.

This report illustrates how the pandemic is affecting Black families' experiences with racism and discrimination, financial security/material hardship, health and mental health, and early care and education options.