An examination of the Negro unemployment problem, an explanation of an ultimate Negro objective of economic equality, and an overview of their present status is given. Within all occupational categories Negroes, on the average, have worse jobs at lower rates of pay. This is revealed even in broad occupational categories such as professional, white collar, and blue collar. To maintain their present rate of progress, Negroes will need increased high school and college attendance and completion in both absolute and relative numbers. The low rate of high school completion is the greatest single obstacle to economic equality. A policy to promote economic equality might include: (1) special federal grants based on performance set up to reward school districts whose outstanding job of helping children of the poor can be empirically measured, (2) an increase by colleges of their active research for Negro applicants, (3) an increase in parental encouragement and help, and (4) redesigning of jobs by employers. Economic progress may accelerate if Negro entrepreneurship and community responsibility in educational and manpower programs are increased. (EM)