Black Unemployment Is a Wake-Up Call — Dallas County Can Lead the Solution

By Raymond E. Alford Jr., Dallas County Commissioner Candidate & Founder, Pathways to Prosperity

America’s job market may look strong on the national headlines, but real families — especially Black workers — are feeling the strain. Black unemployment is rising nationwide, reaching levels not seen since the Great Recession. That’s unacceptable — especially when strong local leadership and innovative solutions can make a real difference.

Here at home, Dallas County’s unemployment rate climbed to approximately 4.3% in late 2025, up from a year ago — showing that job creation isn’t reaching everyone equally.

But when you dig deeper, the problem isn’t evenly spread. According to recent labor estimates, Black residents in Dallas County face unemployment near twice the rate of other groups — a stark disparity that jeopardizes families and undermines community stability.

This Matters — Because People Suffer When Opportunity Shrinks

These aren’t just numbers — they’re real people struggling to pay rent, support kids, and build futures. In a county where nearly 24% of the population identifies as Black, we must confront this issue head-on with local leadership that’s serious about solutions, not excuses.

Texas — including Dallas — has added jobs and held a relatively low statewide unemployment rate around 4.1% — but that masks the disparity experienced by marginalized workers and communities.

Pathways to Prosperity Is Our Local Answer

As your Commissioner candidate, I’m not offering platitudes — I’m offering a plan built on opportunity, accountability, and real economic results:

1. Career-Ready Training That Leads to Jobs

We’ll expand Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs in partnership with local employers — from healthcare and logistics to tech and advanced manufacturing. These aren’t dead-end certificates — they’re real skills that lead to real jobs with real wages.

2. Apprenticeships With Job Commitments

Dallas County should lead Texas in employer-backed apprenticeships that tie training to job offers — not just training and hope. When an employer commits to hiring graduates, workers win, families win, and our economy wins.

3. Empowering Small Business Growth

Small businesses are the backbone of economic mobility — especially in Black communities. We will cut red tape, expand access to capital, and provide mentorship so entrepreneurs can grow businesses that hire locally and thrive locally.

4. Removing Barriers to Employment

Transportation, childcare, re-entry employment, and targeted support for underrepresented workers shouldn’t be obstacles — they should be priorities. Removing these barriers means connecting more people to the workforce.

5. Results Instead of Rhetoric

Dallas County deserves measurable progress — not political talking points. We will track outcomes, evaluate programs, and pivot when results lag. This isn’t about politics — it’s about prosperity.

No Worker Left Behind:

When Black unemployment grows faster than other groups, it’s not just a statistic — it’s a signal of systemic inequity. If Dallas County is serious about growth for every community, then we must champion real economic opportunity for everyone — not just those who already have it.

My Pathways to Prosperity Initiative is our blueprint for lifting up every worker, closing gaps in employment, and creating an economy that works for hard-working families of every race and background.

This is conservative leadership that delivers results — not excuses.

Let’s move from rising unemployment to rising opportunity — together.