Prep, But Don’t Panic: Some Economists Warn That a Recession May Be on the Way

Right now, the US economy is doing just fine, but a survey of economists from the National Association for Business Economics suggests that might be changing.

About 34% predicted a recession in 2021, and another 38% think it’s coming as soon as next year. This comes after a yield curve inversion in the bond market that has historically signalled a recession. Some are pointing towards global policies like the trade war with China as a contributing factor, but the Trump administration is defending the tariffs and denying the possibility of a recession.

Meanwhile, millennials, a generation defined by the Great Recession, and Gen Z-ers are kind of freaking out. It’s been shown that coming into adulthood during a recession can negatively impact employment, net worth, and family formation, and some recent grads are questioning their future. Though the general advice seems to be not to panic -- after all, nothing is set in stone.

Take Action: We can’t control whether a recession hits, but we can educate ourselves. Read and share these financial literacy tips.

Jay-Z’s Deals With the NFL Are Both Historic and Controversial

Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s entertainment company, just signed on as the NFL’s consultant for major NFL performances and their social justice initiative, Inspire Change. But he’s not stopping there, as the rapper is also reportedly acquiring majority ownership in an NFL team (though we don’t know which one yet) , making him the first Black team owner in the league’s history.

Jay-Z has gotten some heat for teaming up with the NFL, given the league’s treatment of its Black athletes, most notably in the case of Colin Kaepernick. Even though Jay-Z has publicly supported Kaepernick, he recently told reporters that he “think[s] we’re past kneeling.”

Morehouse College Has a Plan for Tackling the Cost of Higher Education

Tech investor Robert F. Smith paid the student loan debt of Morehouse College’s class of 2019 a few months ago, and now the college is working to keep that momentum going with a new program to combat the national student debt crisis.

Morehouse, a historically Black all-men’s college based in Atlanta, will accept donations that go directly towards paying off its students’ loans, as well as research the effect of debt on graduates and their career path. Donors can choose where their donations go, either towards an entire class or to graduates from specific programs.

Take Action: Anonymously answer 2 questions about student loan debt to compel companies to address the student debt crisis.

• Why aren’t more people talking about… how Planned Parenthood is being forced to leave the Title X program, the nation’s only federal funding program dedicated to family planning?

• Meanwhile, in Bangladesh… the country’s Supreme Court gave all of its rivers their own legal rights.

• My heroes today are… these young women who wrote a Broadway show about VIKINGS and FRIENDSHIP.

• Today in viral cuteness… this Pomeranian doing his very best Paddington Bear cosplay.

• I’m obsessed with… how early stores are starting to prepare for Halloween. I really don’t care if it’s still 80 degrees outside, it’s never too soon to get spooky and autumnal -- I’ll carve a jack-o’-lantern in the middle of August, and no one can stop me.

On Friday we gave you some good news...and asked for some in return! Here are some of our favorite feel-good responses.

“I got a serious surgery on both my legs and it went well!” - Rilynne, 17, Utah

“I finished high school and am about to move in to college! I plan to use my newfound independence there to start making eco-friendly changes, both in my life and all over campus.” - Emily, 18, North Carolina

“My nonprofit organization is continuing to spread and was interviewed on FOX 26 News #liveitout.” - Jonnathan, 19, Texas (We lowkey did some stalking to find the news story because we were so excited for you...please don’t think we’re creepy.)

“My brother got out of the hospital and got to move back to his group home!” - Andi, 16

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