The Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s (TMCF) Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center (Payne Center), in partnership with Gallup, released the fourth annual Black Thriving in America report recently at Gallup World Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“Black Thriving in America: 2026” is the fourth installment of a 100-year research commitment. This year’s edition represents an evolution in scope and analytical depth. The report examines the wellbeing of Black Americans through decades of research and surveys. For the first time, the study places American findings within a global framework, comparing U.S. wellbeing data with Gallup’s World Poll across approximately 140 countries and territories.
“Gallup and the Payne Center are incredible partners and add depth to the research each year, revealing critical insights,” Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, said. “Analyzing the livelihood of Black Americans over time is vital to understanding the impact of cultural and political events to the nation and world.”
While the report’s headline finding offers encouragement — Black thriving has rebounded to 49%, narrowing the gap with other groups — the data reveal a more complicated story.
Key findings and trends include:
- A seven-point gender gap has emerged between Black men and Black women, a divide that did not exist in 2023.
- Black seniors, who in 2023 led all groups in thriving at 64%, have fallen to 53%. In the workplace, Black college graduates are now less likely than their non-graduate counterparts to report being treated with respect or having their opinions count.
- Nearly one-third of Black adults report being treated unfairly while shopping or in healthcare settings — figures that have risen since last year and remain multiples higher than those reported by other groups.
Justice Albie Sachs and Nobel laureate Sir Angus Deaton were honored as co-recipients of the inaugural Jim Clifton Prize for Research Impact. The prize, named in honor of Gallup Chairman Jim Clifton, recognizes a career or body of work that has demonstrably expanded the frontiers of knowledge and translated evidence into tangible improvement in human thriving, opportunity and dignity.
Program participants included Jim Clifton (Gallup), Jon Clifton (Gallup), Dr. Randal D. Pinkett (BCT Partners), Jonathan C. Augustine (Payne Agora Strategy Council), William F.L. Moses (The Kresge Foundation), Dr. Royel M. Johnson (University of Southern California) and Dr. Sara N. Bleich (Harvard University).
- Justice Albie Sachs – Retired justice, Constitutional Court of South Africa
- Jim Clifton – Chairman, Gallup and Payne Research Center
- Jon Clifton – President and chief executive officer, Gallup
- Dr. Randal D. Pinkett – Chairman and chief executive officer, BCT Partners
- Jonathan C. Augustine – Chairman, Payne Agora Strategy Council
- William F.L. Moses – Managing director, The Kresge Foundation
- Dr. Royel M. Johnson – Co-director, Pullias Center for Higher Education, University of Southern California
- Dr. Sara N. Bleich – Inaugural vice provost for special projects, Harvard University
“Black Thriving in America: 2026” is available at tmcfpayne.org.
