The International Day of People of African Descent, Black August, and Economic Equity!

On August 31^st, 2020, the first United Nations commemoration of the International Day of People of African Descent honored the approximately two hundred million people in the Americas who identify as being of African Descent. In 2025 it is still a day that aligns with the values of recognition, justice, and development in this the Second International Decade in Solidarity of People of African Descent that began this year. It is a day of celebration of heritage and cultures, as well as the political and scientific contributions of people of African descent. 

At the same time, this day coincides with this month of Black August. Black August is a month-long observance that originated in California prisons in the 1970s. The observance primarily honors those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for political liberation of People of African Descent and Africans. 

Both annual events are timely in this moment of geo-political shifting and a renewed focus on economic enterprise, trade, and a vision of transforming of the financial architecture as cited in the PACT for the Future adopted by the nations of the world at the United Nations General Assembly in 2024. 

While the substantive political gains of independence of African nations and policy reforms affecting People of African Descent mostly in the latter half of the last century have and are very significant, a systematic and systemic economic agenda that is not only aspirational but strategic and substantive with an equitable trade lens yielding renewed foundations for sustainable communities is needed. The aspirations goals of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement of the African Union, the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Francis and continued by Pope Leo that seeks to turn the debt crisis to hope campaign, the reauthorization of The Africa Growth Opportunity Act/The African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AGOA/AWEP), strategic public-private partnerships, reparatory justice and investment with and in African nations, and People of African Descent are key to this vision.

Bread for the World has and actively engages in initiatives like these in its vision of ending hunger. At the same time, Bread also understands that while Africa possesses vast natural resources, including minerals, arable land, and diverse ecosystems therefore contributing to significant wealth, the continent still faces challenges in translating these resources into widespread prosperity, with issues like poverty, inequality, and resource management hindering equitable distribution. 

Further, People of African Descent in the United States, for example, in the latest data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances in 2024, shows the racial wealth gap in the U.S. increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2019 and 2022, median wealth increased by $51,800, but the racial wealth gap also increased by $49,950—adding up to a total difference of $240,120 in wealth between the median white household and the median Black household. 

This, in addition to the stubborn history of inequitable policies raised in our Lament and Hope Devotional guide, point out the ever present challenges related to accomplishing economic equity.  Still, the commemorative dates of August 31^st and Black August encourage us to push forward. 

Angelique Walker-Smith is senior associate for Pan African and Orthodox Church engagement at Bread for the World.