By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association
For decades, Black Americans have dealt with systemic obstacles when it comes to economic opportunity. Between limited access to good jobs and the gradual decline of manufacturing in our communities, many Black Americans have struggled to provide for their families. Recently, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has made a bold and important stand by supporting the proposed partnership between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel – a collaboration that will not only keep the U.S. manufacturing industry competitive and strong but also provide stable jobs and economic security for Black Americans and their families.
The CBC’s recent letter to President Biden is a critical recognition of the economic realities facing workers, particularly in majority Black communities. At one point in time, cities like Gary, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Birmingham, Alabama, were the heart of America’s industrial strength. Today, these former industrial hubs are struggling to recover from economic decline and significant job losses. The collapse of the steel industry has left devastating effects – predominantly on the Black communities surrounding our once-thriving industrial cities. However, with the proposed partnership between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel on the table, we have a chance to reverse that damage and restore the pathway to economic security for those who need it most.
This deal will be a game changer for the communities that rely on the steel industry to survive. The $300 million allocated to repair blast furnaces at Gary Works and $1 billion for upgrades at Mon Valley Works are investments that will extend the lifespan of essential U.S. Steel facilities and protect thousands of union jobs. For facilities in Gary and Birmingham where more than half of the population is Black, these upgrades could mean the difference between the continued path of economic decline or the revitalization of a community lifeline.
Union jobs have long provided economic stability for Black workers, supplying decent wages and comprehensive benefits in communities where secure job opportunities are often few and far between. This deal will not only protect existing jobs but also promises new opportunities. The steel industry has been a vital source of employment for Black Americans, and by strengthening and expanding the steel industry in the U.S., we are opening the door to new jobs, new investments, and new possibilities for Black Americans across the country.
And the benefits of the Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel partnership are not only limited to steel towns. A thriving steel industry has ripple effects across the economy, from construction and transportation to renewable energy and national defense. By investing in steel, we are also investing in the broader economic ecosystem that supports millions of American workers.
President Biden has often spoken about his commitment to building an inclusive economy that works for all Americans, regardless of race or geography. Approving this partnership would be a meaningful first step toward fulfilling that commitment. It would demonstrate the administration’s dedication to uplifting Black communities through inclusive economic policies. This moment calls for leadership that prioritizes people and progress over politics and partisanship.
As a nation, we are at a crossroads. We can choose to embrace this opportunity to strengthen our manufacturing base while uplifting communities that have been left behind for too long, or we can continue to let critical industries slip through our fingers. The CBC’s leadership on this issue shows the path forward: one that prioritizes economic security, environmental sustainability, and racial equity.
By investing in steel, we are investing in Black Americans, their families, and their futures. Now is the time to move beyond rhetoric and make a tangible, lasting impact that will benefit all Americans, especially those who have long been left behind.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Executive Producer of The Chavis Chronicles on PBS TV Network.
