Valerie Wilson

Director, Program on Race, Ethnicity & the Economy (PREE) at Economic Policy Institute

Valerie Rawlston Wilson is a prominent labor economist and the Director of the Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy (PREE) at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).1 2 Her work focuses on understanding and addressing economic inequalities faced by people of color in the United States.

Professional Background

Wilson leads PREE, which is recognized as a leading source for expert analysis on the economic conditions of America's communities of color.1 In this role, she has worked to elevate EPI's thought leadership on racial and economic justice issues and expand PREE's capacity to develop policy solutions centered on racial equity.1

Career Highlights

Previous Experience: Before joining EPI, Wilson served as Vice President of Research at the National Urban League, where she played a key role in producing the organization's annual publication, "The State of Black America".1
Leadership Roles: In 2022, she served as President of the National Economics Association, an organization dedicated to promoting black economists and expanding knowledge on economic issues affecting communities of color.1
Recognition: In 2023, Wilson was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.1

Expertise and Contributions

Wilson has extensively written and spoken on various aspects of racial economic inequality in the United States, including:

Employment and wage disparities
Income and wealth gaps
Access to higher education
Social insurance issues

She has testified before Congress on racial disparities in unemployment and earnings, and has been a keynote speaker for Federal Reserve Banks' series on racism and the economy.1 2

Education

Wilson holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.1

Through her work, Valerie Wilson continues to be a significant voice in shaping economic policies and discussions around racial equity in the United States.