Jody Brannon

Jody Brannon

Editor, Next America

Jody Brannon leads Next America, an integrated  editorial initiative that explores demographic shifts impacting American democracy. A former newspaper and magazine writer and editor, she has worked exclusively in online news since 1995, for The Washington Post, USA TODAY and MSN. From 2008 through 2011, she directed News21.com, part of the Carnegie-Knight Initiative on the Future of Journalism Education that emphasized innovative forms of storytelling. She serves on the boards of J-Lab, as chair, and the Online News Association as treasurer and chair of the Education Committee. Brannon holds three journalism degrees (Seattle, American and Maryland); her 1999 dissertation, “Maximizing the Medium,” examined online news operations at ABC, NPR and USA TODAY.

Jody Brannon's Latest Posts

Average Unwed Mom? See Her Characteristics

By
The demographics of unmarried women who have children are changing. Read More »

Mapping the Same-Sex Marriage Movement

By
A graphical look at how the states stand on same-sex marriage.  Read More »

Ongoing Polarization of the House in 1 Chart

By
Charlie Cook's Partisan Vote Index maps 14 years of House elections, indicating fewer swing districts. Read More »

Parents' Lack of Work Affects 1 in 6 U.S. Children, Study Finds

By Jody Brannon
More than 1 in 6 U.S. children have a parent who is unemployed or underemployed, putting them at risk of suffering from hunger, performing poorly in school, and facing family violence. Read More »

Why Fewer Americans Will Buy Pizza Tonight

By
Three charts help to explain why people are likely to continue to be extra cautious when it comes to disposable income. Read More »

More Chinese Than Mexicans Want to Migrate to U.S.

By
Almost four times more Chinese than Mexicans want to move to the U.S., according to a Gallup survey; at the same time, about four of 10 residents want to leave the U.S. Read More »

DREAMers in 3 Charts: Rate of Applications and Where They're From

By
The number of approvals for deferred-action status is approaching a quarter-million undocumented immigrants, but the submission rate for so-called DREAMers to secure the right to remain in the U.S. is slowing. Read More »

Perez in 3 Charts: Labor Nominee's Key Challenge and Role in Obama Cabinet

By
If Thomas Perez is confirmed as Labor secretary, he’ll bring to two the number of people of color in President Obama’s Cabinet. But his real challenge will be the national employment rate. Read More »
IMMIGRATION

How Immigrants Forestall Death of More Than 1 in 3 U.S. Counties

By
America hasn’t seen such dismal census numbers on population shifts since the days of newsreels, dust bowls, and the mother of all depressions. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

New Pope Reflects Spanish-Speaking Catholics' Importance to the Church

By
The selection of Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, a 76-year-old Jesuit who is an advocate for the poor, as the first pontiff from outside Europe should please many U.S. Catholics, almost 30 percent of whom are of Hispanic or Latino heritage. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

Examine the Papabili by Race and Odds Are the Next Pontiff Is White

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Nationality aside, of the 25 cardinals listed by at least one news organization as having a chance of becoming the next pontiff, there are 16 whites (including two U.S. cardinals), four blacks, three Latinos, and two Asians. Read More »
POLITICS

Might Texas Turn Blue? A Q&A With San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro

By and Doris Nhan
Mayor Julian Castro addresses key questions about an economic turnaround for San Antonio, Texas’ second-largest city, and other emerging political changes amid statewide demographic shifts. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

Ways San Antonio Is Adapting to the New U.S. Economy

By and Doris Nhan
National Journal ’s Next Economy project asks a key question: How are Americans adapting to the new economy? Examined within the prism of diversifying America, the question has equally important relevance. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

What's in a Surname? A Lot of Demographic Change

By Jody Brannon
The 2000 census shows five Hispanic last names among the top 20 most common surnames in the United States. Read More »
ECONOMY

Diversity and the U.S. Billionaires on Forbes's List

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Forbes 's annual list of the world’s richest people is out, and if you filter the 1,426 names for those in the U.S., you find interesting numbers among the 36 individuals or families represented in the U.S. top 100. Read More »
IMMIGRATION

Daily Costs of Detaining Immigrants Led to Releases

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A look at the numbers behind the recent release of illegal immigrants from several detention centers around the country. Read More »
WORKFORCE

Start-Up Visas Could Create Huge Number of Jobs in 10 Years, Report Says

By
Allowing foreign-born entrepreneurial types entree to the U.S. to start businesses could create a huge number of jobs, according to a Kauffman Foundation white paper . Exactly how many? Read More »
WORKFORCE

Characteristics of the Minimum-Wage Workforce

By Jody Brannon
The Labor Department has released figures that reveal much about economic differences among minimum-wage earners, especially people of color and Americans from various socioeconomic classes. Read More »
EDUCATION

Which Minority Passes More AP Math Tests?

By
The number of minority high school students taking Advanced Placement classes has risen fourfold in a decade, but college aspirants of color, especially from low-income families, continue to significantly lag white students. Read More »
ECONOMY

Unemployment Rate for Hispanics Tops 17% in 5 States

By
The Hispanic unemployment rate at the end of 2012 in 13 states significantly exceeded the state rate, with the percentage of jobless Hispanics surpassing 17 percent in five states. Read More »
EDUCATION

The Diversification of Yale's Skull & Bones

By Jody Brannon
Yale’s secret society, Skull & Bones, is no longer largely the domain of white men. Read More »
EDUCATION

Fewer Dropouts, but Blacks, Hispanics Still Lag: Report

By Jody Brannon
​The U.S. high school graduation rate of 78.2 percent climbed 6.5 percentage points between 2006 and 2010, but the rates for Hispanics and blacks stands at 71.4 and 66.1 percent respectively. Read More »
WORKFORCE

America's Most Pessimistic Demographic About Quality Jobs Is Surprising

By Jody Brannon
About 73 percent of respondents say now is a bad time to be seeking a quality job, but one demographic is really pessimistic, a Gallup study shows. Read More »
POLITICS

Which Senator of Color Is Alone on the Conservative/Liberal List?

By
National Journal 's annual list of most conservative and most liberal senators is out, and it includes only one person of color — Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. Read More »
IMMIGRATION

In Migrant-Worker Shortage, Strawberries Are Spring's First Endangered Crop

By
With up to 80 percent of America’s field hands believed to be undocumented workers, and with fewer prospective work hands crossing the border, your spring appetite for strawberries may go unsated this year.  Read More »
POLITICS

Who Are Members of Color on Most Liberal, Conservative Lists for the 112th Congress

By Jody Brannon
Examine the annual rankings, and the split by race, gender and geography might be surprising. Or it might not. Read More »
POLITICS

2-Party System? Not to a Generation Immune to Hue

By
Changing demographics mean voters care more about personality than party labels.  That could mean the emergence of a third party. Read More »
WORKFORCE

Are 65 Percent of Employers Really Struggling to Find Workers?

By
America’s small businesses claim they can’t find employees, an economic poll says, but amid the 65 percent of prospective employers who claim to encounter workforce shortages are three disturbing factors. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHIC H/T

Spotlight on the Rush to Cross the Border

By
With immigration reform a topic of conversation nationwide  The Washington Post produced a photo gallery , rich with powerful images, of Mexicans who repeatedly try to return to the U.S.  using the “Whisper Trail.” Read More »
POLITICS

Speech Takeaways Key to The Next America

By Jody Brannon
In a nation in which shifting demographics create challenges in the workforce, schools, and socioeconomic life, here is a roundup of coverage and insights. Read More »
ECONOMY

ABC-Univision Hopes to 'Fuse' With U.S. Hispanics

By
ABC and Univision hope to fuse with English-speaking Hispanics on its forthcoming 24-hour news and entertainment channel, aptly called Fusion, the companies announced Monday. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

Pontifical Stats: U.S. Catholics, Spanish-Speakers, and Africans

By and Stephanie Czekalinski
The first resignation of a pope in centuries is a good time to take a look at statistics and figures at Catholicism, the world's largest Christian denomination. Read More »
POLITICS

Does Immigration Matter Outside D.C.? What 44 Governors Said About It (Or Didn't)

By
Perhaps it's not surprising that border-state governors mentioned immigration in their state of the state addresses, but where were the others on the topic? Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

The Most Important Demographic Percentage to Know for 2050

By Jody Brannon
A Pew report estimates that 93 percent of the growth of the working-age population by 2050 will be immigrants and their U.S.-born children. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

Striking Percentage Ages 6 or Older Identify as Latino

By
The desire to connect with America's growing Hispanic and Latino audiences has marketing firms parsing data, looking to help clients make sense of the shifting demographics.  Read More »
EDUCATION

High School Graduation Rates Improve, but Most Dropouts Are Minorities

By
The good news is American kids are graduating from high school at a rate better than any time since 1976; the bad news is about 20 percent still drop out, most of whom are minorities. Read More »
EDUCATION

What the U.S. Might Learn from China's Push to Get Kids to College

By Jody Brannon
Two stories about education reform elsewhere - namely a lengthy piece by the New York Times  about  China  and an Associated Press  report  from Mexico  (with gallery) are worth considering in lig...

Read More »
IMMIGRATION

From Aisle to Border: 13 Insights Into Immigration Reform

By
What exactly happened this week on the immigration front? This roundup will get you caught up. Read More »
EDUCATION

Black Women Computer-Science Ph.D.s? Guess What Percent.

By Jody Brannon
The Grio 's  story about the University of Michigan bestowing its first set of doctoral robes on a black female computer scientist calls attention to a 2010-2011 survey  of 1,400 people pursuing a doctoral degree in ...

Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

9 Diverse Stories From The Next America

By Jody Brannon
Challenges and achievements in schools, plus ramifications of a tighter immigration policy on the workforce, are among Thursday's stories from around a diversifying nation. Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

14 Stories From Around the Next America

By
Among 14 stories reflecting changes in a diversifying nation are efforts to embrace people of all cultures, a push in New York for more educational support of undocumented youth, and Asian-Americans becoming more philanthropic . Read More »
POLITICS

What Do Inauguration Poet, Biden Oath-Giver Have in Common?

By
Many people of color will be involved in the inaugural festivities, from a famed civil-rights pioneer to an activist actress. Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

6 Diverse Stories From The Next America

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Obama's picks for Cabinet posts so far have all been white men, four Hispanic lawmakers are missing from the 113th Congress, and a decline in Arizona deportations are among the stories for Jan. 8. Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

A Push for Minority Army Officers Among Next America Stories

By Jody Brannon
Plus, Latino veterans have the hardest time finding a job and racial segregation persists in college, a Georgetown professor's study finds. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

12 for '12: Demographically Key Must-Reads

By Jody Brannon
To understand the complexities of The Next America, consider this collection of articles that willl deepen your understanding of the year ahead.  Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

8 of 2012's Best Diversity Roundups

By Jody Brannon
From the best Latino stories of 2012 to a racism review, this collection explores the socioeconomic forces of the Next America. It's an ostensible primer of the year ahead in a diversifying nation. Read More »
POLITICS

How Diverse Is the 113th Congress? A Roundup

By Jody Brannon
More than 80 new politicians have joined Congress, creating a House that's 19 percent minority and a Senate with its most-ever female lawmakers. Take a look at the demographics and the individuals behind the numbers. Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

8 Diverse Stories on Jan. 4 From the Next America

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Vice President Joe Biden tells a diverse Congress that Latinos are the "center of the nation's future," Dominicans move into NYC as Puerto Ricans leave, and expatriots rising are among stories from the Next America. Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

Jan. 3 Headlines From a Diverse America

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Among today's stories across The Next America: forthcoming changes in immigration law, new energies in mayoral offices and Congress, and a drop in birth rates among Latinas. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

Next America's Most Viewed Stories of 2012

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A postelection map indicating a deepening racial divide among voters, the nation's declining birth rate, and an analysis of President Obama's requisite minority vote to win reelection top the list of stories seen by the most people ...

Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

Demographic, Diversity, Immigration News You May Have Missed

By
The U.S. population at midnight will be 315.1 million, and 2012's records include number of deportations and fines for firms using undocumented workers. Read More »
POLITICS

Surname Racial Bias? Winners and Losers in 2012 Election

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In coming years, more and more ethnic-sounding surnames will appear on ballots, which is one factor that helps to define candidates beyond party and gender. See visual representations of winners and losers in November races involvin...

Read More »
DAY IN DIVERSITY

13 Diverse Must-Reads About The Next America

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Staten Island immigrants struggle after superstorm Sandy; Latinos less likely to get unemployment benefits; and a graphical look at Congress's diversity are the stories in our Dec. 20 roundup. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

Books for the Demographic Nerd on Your List

By Jody Brannon
Among titles about The Next America are 2012 books about diversity, shifting politics, population growth, education, and aging. Suggest more! Read More »
DAY IN DIVERSITY

Baker's Dozen Look at Next America Boasts Surprising Stats

By
Among today's stories: By 2060, 33 percent in U.S. will be Hispanic, 200K deported say they have a child in the U.S., 1M reportedly ignore deportation order, and a braniac snags his physics degree at age 18. Read More »
POLITICS

Inouye's Legacy: First Asian-American Senator, WWII Hero, and His Final Word

By Jody Brannon
Hawaiian senator served 53 years, received Medal of Honor, and, before passing, said, "Aloha." See extensive coverage, various obits, and insights into his legacy. Read More »
DAY IN DIVERSITY

5 Diverse Diversity Items for Dec. 18

By Jody Brannon
A civil-rights leader passes, Colorado feels the pinch on immigration enforcement, and Time short-lists "undocumented workers" for "person" of the year. Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

11 Data-Rich Stories on Demographic Shifts in The Next America

By Jody Brannon
Consider this collection of stories, rich in census and other data, that inform changes ahead in the workforce, immigration policy, and communities such as San Diego. Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

10 Diverse Articles About the Next America

By
Senate confirmation of a Fil-Am federal judge, pinch of applying for deferred action, and predatory practices aimed at Latinos for auto and student loans are among Monday's stories. Read More »
WORKFORCE

3 Carrots to Steer Kids to Tech Fields?

By
If you tell kids they could earn 65 grand as an intern, work at the happiest company on Earth, and get a free Surface and Win8 phone, might more gravitate toward a tech career? Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

7 Diverse Articles About the Next America

By
Friday's roundup includes an appeal to Congress from kids asking that their parents remain in the country, Census numbers that point to education's benefit for Latino youth, and how Susan Rice's withdrawal means no persons of color ...

Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

9 Diverse Stories About The Next America

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Google aims for Hispanic audience, Obama ponders a diverse Cabinet and results are out on exactly  how much of the Asian vote he secured. Read More »
DAY IN DIVERSITY

12 Diverse Stories About the Next America

By Jody Brannon
Migration slows, the big Hispanic national Chamber of Commerce meeting is set and STEM skills gap widens. Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

10 Must-Read Demographic Stories of the Day

By Jody Brannon
Asian-American kid turns 12 at 12:12 on 12/12; racial and ethnic stereotypes still alive in schools; and, among other stories, black women battle obesity. Read More »
DIVERSITY IN BRIEF

Must-Reads About Demographic Change

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Today's stories about race, diversity, and demographic trends in America include the first gay male wedding to run in Jet ; a tale of an immigrant who joined the Marines and died an American; and remembering Jenni Rivera, an a...

Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

Faiths of Minorities in 113th Congress Reflect Diversity

By Jody Brannon
The incoming Congress may be the nation’s most diverse ever, according to a Pew Research Center report that details religious affiliations of the members. Among the freshmen are the first Hindu member of the House and the Senate...

Read More »
POLITICS

The Next America Roundup: Postelection Opinions and Commentary

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Here are opinions and commentary that explore aspects of the ways shifting demographics are shaping policy and politics.  Read More »
POLITICS

Weekend Pick 6: Must-Reads to Understand America’s Shifting Demographics

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Take time to consider the complexities and meaning of the 2012 election. Read More »
POLITICS

Minorities in Congress: Explore the Dem/Rep Ratio

By Jody Brannon
With more than 80 new members elected to the House of Representatives, National Journal has produced an effective way of viewing the new members, 20 of whom are minorities. Read More »
POLITICS

Congress Set to Continue Rise in Diversity

By
The 113th Congress is likely to become the most racially and ethnically diverse in the nation’s history, but the House of Representatives still is hardly reflective of the nation’s population mix. Read More »
POLITICS

Meet the Victors: Mapped Minority Members of Congress

By and Doris Nhan
The nation's most diverse group of lawmakers is set to take the oath to serve in the House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate during the 113th Congress. Read More »
POLITICS

160 Minority Candidates Seek Congressional Office

By and Doris Nhan
Thirty-four states have candidates of color or children of immigrants on Tuesday's ballot. A total of 155 minority candidates will either retain or gain a position in the House and five others are vying for four Senate seats. Read More »
IMMIGRATION

Deferred-Action Counter: Number of Accepted Applications Exceeds 450,000

By
Our tracker provides the monthly number of applicants and approvals in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration program. Read More »
WORKFORCE

Creative-Class Jobs, Few Held by Minorities, Are the Most Stable During Economic Crisis

By Jody Brannon
During the recession, white and Asian-Americans in urban areas were more likely to retain their jobs in fields that typically require education, such as those in science and technology, business, arts, design, media, and entertainm...

Read More »
DEMOGRAPHICS

Census: More in U.S. Identify as Mixed Race

By Jody Brannon
The 2000 census allowed people, for the first time, to identify themselves as being of two or more races, and now the  2010 figures  (pdf) show people of mixed race are growing in numbers faster than single-race indiv...

Read More »
THE NEXT AMERICA

From the Editor

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This  Next   America  special supplement to  National   Journal  explores the role of English as lingua franca and raises many questions about a dominant language in an increasingly diverse democracy. Read More »
FROM THE EDITOR

Our Diverse Future

By
Virtually every issue facing U.S. society promises to be affected by deep currents of change—changes illuminated by significant demographic shifts between the young and the old. That’s what this inaugural special edition is about. Read More »
SEE MORE
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