This brief from Child Trends is the second in a series examining timely topics that are relevant to Black families and children in the United States. It sheds light on the role of federal policies in creating, maintaining, and addressing inequities brought about by structural racism, with a specific focus on access to early care and education for Black families. The first brief provides a brief summary of recent data and historical context on family structure, employment and income, and geography for Black people with young children in the United States. The third brief uses national, state, and local data to examine housing access and other available supports for Black families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. #childcare #education #racialequity #covid-19