In this study, we aim to quantify the number of Black people, aged 25-40 years old, living alone in Toronto and are not earning a thriving income. Three key findings were found. First, the Black population disproportionately represents the largest group to earn below the thriving income. Second, Black women are more likely to earn less than the thriving income than Black men, White, and other racialized populations. Third, when education is accounted for, Black men experience the greatest disadvantage to earning a thriving income.
These findings point to ways racial and gender discrimination interplay in the labour market and workplace create real consequences for Black men and women’s earnings. Current poverty measures alone are not enough to end all forms of poverty and ensure good health for all.
Wellesley Institute’s Thriving in the City Framework can be seen as a useful alternative to reduce levels of poverty. The nine parameters that form this framework allow for a comprehensive understanding of one’s needs across physical, mental, social and economic dimensions of health and well-being. Exclusively using economic and relative measures to assess poverty underestimates health and security issues faced by Black communities and will only continue to perpetuate racial inequities.