The Truth About Black Wealth.
What is the truth about African Americans & wealth? How well are we really doing ? How far have we really come?
According to statistics provided by The National Black Business Trade Association African Americans have over $750 Billion dollars of spendable income.If African Americans were an independent Nation & had our own land & country ( which I think we should & will someday) that would make our economy the ninth largest in the world. We have several Black Millionaires . Oprah Winfrey, Russel Simmons, Jay Z & countless others. We have hundreds of Black executives in key positions at Fortune 500 companies. African Americans has the world imitating our style and swagger through our music & clothing. We even have a Black President. I guess you can say with all of this and $750 Billion dollars in income we must be doing great .We are living the dream Right ! Wrong!!!
Here is the real truth: In America 10% or 1 out of every ten people live in poverty. In Black America 25% or 1 out of every 4 people live in poverty; most in extreme poverty. In cities like Detroit, Pre-Katrina New Orleans , Baltimore, Washington DC and Rural Southern Towns:Where African Americans are more than 50% of the population the poverty rate among Blacks is much higher. African Americans are only 12 to 15 % of the population of the United States yet Blacks are 51% of the prisoners in the federal & state prison systems.
How could we have accomplished so much yet have so little? The problem is Income Is Not Wealth! Let me say it again Income Is Not Wealth!
You might say what do you mean? What is the difference? I will put to you in simple terms: Wealth is what is owned. Income is what is earned. Wealth is a collection of assets. Income is what you get in exchange for your labor. Income can help you attain assets. Assets are what creates wealth.
As we know African Americans have over $75o billion in income making us the ninth largest economy in the world. However our true wealth or collection of assets makes us the poorest nation is the world. We own very little yet we consume everything? Who produced the car that you drive? Was it a Black person or some other person? Who grew the food that you eat & must have to sustain life was it you & your kind or some other person? Even this computer I am typing on ;It may be black but a black person did not manufacture it.
Dr. Claud Anderson (Renowned Expert) teaches that in 1864 on the eve of the Civil War there were only 200,000 free Black people in America the rest of us over 5 million were still enslaved. Out of those 200.000 Black people who were free they attained 1/2 of 1 % of Americas wealth. WEALTH not income Here we are in 2009 all of us free and 150 years later and yet we still only own 1/2 of 1 % of America’s wealth. That means that for every dollar America owns Black America only owns 1/2 of a penny.Not even a whole penny 1/2 of 1 red cent. Dr. Claud Anderson also states that there are two white men in America that are more wealthy by themselves than ALL of African Americans combined. Bill Gates & Ralph Ellison. That’s just two examples we can list thousands of white Americans who are more wealthy than us.
Some may say money isn’t everything, I don’t need to be wealthy to be happy. I am educated and I have a great job.Some even say that money is the root of all evil. I say that you are wrong! Let’s get it right ! The LOVE of money is not the root of all evil in our community! It is the Lack of money that is the root of all evil and the foundation of our problems.Lack of money causes us to have inferior education. The lack of money cause some of our people to turn to crime as a means to support themselves and family. The lack of of money causes our relationships to fail and is destroying our families.
We have had many laws passed and so many of our people have shed their blood& some have even given there life. We have black politicians . Black Preachers with Mega Churches. Yet True wealth, freedom,justice and equality has eluded us. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad had it right whether you agree with him or not . He had it right He said” That you cannot legislate freedom justice & equality. We can only achieve that through unity & supporting our own.”
We must create & build strong Black Businesses in order to attain wealth. We must support existing Black Businesses in our community. Black business owners must take an active role in improving their business by getting the proper training & resources needed to run a successful business. We must network with each other and exchange ideas and invest in each others businesses.We must stop teaching our children to get an education to get a job. We must teach them to get an education to be an entrepreneur to help employ our people.TO BE CONTINUED www.blackunitedsuccess.com
Are “Buy Black” Campaigns Racist? Part2
In part one we touched upon the seriousness of our condition & why it is so important to support our own. We also heard from one my online friends who just happened to be white her thoughts on the subject.
In this post I will detail a conversation that I had with a person who is a successful businessman & whom I respect very much. Are Buy Black Campaigns Racist Part2
Here is the response from my friend after receiving a message from me about the Black Business Builders Club & it’s programs:
DJ:“I like what you are attempting to do. However I am wondering if your cause would be More effective if done as an Individual. Case In Point.. Oprah, Collin Powell, and Condalisa Rice. They have done much to help the Black Society in General, Individually. Both General Powell, and Ms Rice were pretty much shunned by both our Liberal Press and much of the Black Society itself.Yet Still were they not Shinning Stars, who were in Fact Black, embraced their Blackness, and have given much back to the Black Society as a whole.. I would consider Myself to be conservative in Nature. I believe that we All follow our own Path, and are steered down that Path by our Openness to new Things, and our experiences because of that Openness. I don’t believe in any form of Limitation, we as A Black Society have suffered that, and have now come out of the other side. Self Segregation had it’s time, and it’s Purpose was served. I do not wish to be a Part of anything that everyone can not be a part of.Please know that I am a Strong believer in something called “Pay It Forward” even though it was conceived by a White Kid, there is nothing that says I can not Choose whom I help As an Individual. I can Help substantially 3 People at a time. When each one of them helps 3, and each one of them Helps 3, and so it Goes.. Have you not done something substantial for both a single Person, and the Community as an Individual. It is My belief that the Individuals are the Key to Turning around Blacks, as a Society.The Thinking must Change, if Blacks are to Change as a Society. It’s my View that that is done one mind at a time. Much of what you have said in your Profile has Merit.If Blacks wish other Blacks to do Business with them, then the Goods and services must be as good or better then those offered elsewhere. I like everyone else want the most for every Dollar spent. I will give All of My Business to anyone who makes me Feel Special, I don’t care who they are.. Black Business People should keep this simple fact in their awareness.Well I must go now.. It has been a Pleasure speaking with you. I would like to know your thoughts on some of the Issues I have raised.”
My response:
Hi, I understand & appreciate your views on the matter.
We cannot solve our economic & social problems as individuals. However that does not take away the value of independent achievement. I want to paraphrase a quote from one of my favorite movies . The Untouchables: Al Capone is having a meeting with his fellow gangsters and he talks about baseball. ” When you are at bat it is time for individual achievement.However when you are in the outfield we have to work together as a team. If your team loses your achievement counts for nothing.” Excuse my paraphrase of the quote but you understand the point. If we like it or not by birth all Black people are on the same team! If the team is failing then we all are failing. President Obama Dr. Rice, Gen. Powell , Oprah are my heroes and there achievements should be celebrated in our communities & give hope to our youth! However they still play for a losing team. Just look at how they treated the Harvard professor. No matter what we accomplish as individuals in the eyes of the world we are still the bottom of the barrel. As long as most of our people are mired in poverty and hopelessness then we can never truly enjoy our individual accomplishments .I have been in business for many years and have enjoyed the fruits of my labor,However there was always something missing. I needed to give back, I needed to catch one for the team!That’s why I am so excited about the BBBC & it’s programs. Our economic unity & collective consciousness is what is needed to solve this problem.
With that in mind I want to say that I am for the prosperity of all human beings & the BBBC membership is open to all people. However we must take care of home first. If you are great swimmer and you see two people drowning & one them is a member of your family. Who are you going to save first? After your family member is safe on the beach then & only then will you attempt to save the others. It’s only human nature to take care of your own first. Our people are drowning & we need great swimmers like yourself to help get them out of the water.
I have to agree with you that some of our Black business owners have an inferior mindset when it comes to business. I call it the “Open Late & Close Early Syndrome ”
That is one of the missions of the BBBC is to properly train business owners to build stronger businesses in our community. The BBBC is not just a wealth building club it is about truly empowering our people to become self sufficient leaders not just in our community but in the world. It is about changing the attitudes & dispelling the myths. www.blackunitedsuccess.com TO BE CONTINUED
Black Women In Business
Most of you should know this: The first black millionaire was a woman Madame C.J.Walker . Since her time until today Black women have played a vital role in the success & survival of Black Businesses. Black businesswomen have had to endure not only racism but also sexism . But through it all they have not only survived but thrived. Trailblazers like Patricia Bransford President Of the Urban Technology Center, Donna Walker-Kuhne CEO of Walker International Communications Group Inc., LindaMichelle Baron President Of Harlin Jacque Publishing Inc. These and countless other African American women have refused to accept mediocrity & excelled .
In order for our people to be successful & rise from poverty & despair the Black woman must take the lead. I know a lot of the men will be mad at me for saying that. However Black women are at the head of most of our households & are making the financial decisions in most families. So they are the ones in the best position now to help solve our problems. Listen Brothers we must step up and take our place as the head & sisters will be more than happy to support & be there for us until then let’s support & be there for them.We will talk more on that in a later subject.
Black women must look to become entrepreneurs & business owners & not always give away your natural Divine Skill & Ingenuity . No one is more resourceful & creative than the Black woman. Think about how Momma & Nanna made beautiful things for us out of virtually nothing. How delicious meals were prepared with no food. There are thousands of ideas & inventions that came from the mind of the Black woman that corporate America is making Billions on. It’s time for the Black woman to cash in on her own ideas and take the cash to better the lives of herself & family.
What’s stopping you? What’s your excuse? You know you always wanted to to . You might say I don’t know where to start! I don’t have proper business training! I don’t have any money! I have a family! I have a career! I just don’t have the time! ETC…
What if I told you that I have the solution to all of your so-called excuses! A dynamic organization dedicated to building wealth & making stronger businesses in our community. It’s called the Black Business Builders Club this organization is the most complete wealth building program available period. It offers extensive entrepreneurial training to all of it’s members.Whether you are looking to start a business, are a current business owner looking to increase profits the BBBC is the place for you.
Network With Other Successful People
The Black Business Builders Club Is full of members who are experts in just about every field of business & are more than willing to help you in your venture. As the saying goes” It’s Not What You Know. It’s Who You Know!”There is strength in numbers. So, if our businesses are going to survive and grow, we are going to have to work at better organizing ourselves & support each other.Just like every other”self-interest” group in America has had to learn to organize themselves. No one is going to do it for us. We must network & help each other to be successful. This is what the BBBC is all about .It’s gives you the flexibility to work part time & still be successful. The extensive entrepreneurial training gives you the knowledge and understanding on how to create and run a successful business. This program will also teach current business owners how to increase their profits. Provide an additional source of income.And save you money on everyday products & services with our shopping discount benefit.
Sister’s with this program there are no excuses. Go to to our website www.blackunitedsuccess.com check it out . give me your honest opinion & let me know what you think. Embrace your legacy become a business owner today!
Are “Buy Black” Campaigns Racist?
“Buy Black” “Support Your Own” Everyday Is Buy Black Day” “Do For Self”
These an many other slogans are used in the African American Community to promote African American owned businesses. But are these slogans racist? Should you support your own race before others? Is the African American experience different from other ethnic minority groups?
Let me start with some data from the National Black Business Trade Association.
Fact: African Americans have over $700 Billion dollars in spendable income.
Fact: African Americans only spend 6-7% of that $700 Billion with Black owned businesses.That means 93-94% is spent outside of there own community.
Fact: Other ethnic groups spend with themselves 3-6 times before their dollar leaves there community.
Fact: African Americans are at least 12 % of the U.S.population,But only account for 2% of all business receipts.
I have a an online friend who agrees with our cause(supporting Black Businesses), However some what disagrees with the methods of supporting one group over another. Here is some of what my friend had to say:
I feel honored that you want to include me (and/or my beliefs) in tomorrow’s message from you. I did a speech in college regarding segregation and discrimination in which I tried to point out that these characteristics apply to ALL people, all over the world – not just in the US. I studied Literature in college and I discovered that war after war after war was initiated by small minded yet powerful people, yet took sooo many lives of individuals who were willing to fight for their “cause.”
I asked my audience (mostly white) to really think about their own personal views. I asked them if they would be afraid if a black man came walking down their street toward them, or following them, or just their presence in general. I challenged the black people in my audience to really think about their own prejudices against white, American Indian, Hispanic, Oriental, French, Irish, German, Iranians, Iraqies, etc. The concept of discrimination and segregation goes both ways. Does a Black (Hispanic, etc) person feel and think of their inferiority as justified. MLK did “have a dream” which was one of peace and prosperity for all. We are now a product of his words, yet our endeavor of equality has not, to this day, been truly achieved…35 years later.
We have all been raised by parents of a very different generation, a generation who supposedly finally accepted desegregation an equality, offered to people of all “races, creeds, colors, sexual orientation, etc.” – simply the same dignity and respect that they themselves demand.
I feel so sad and angry that our own people (Blacks, Whites, Chicano, Puerto Rican, etc.) cannot just accept all people for who they are as individuals. God made us all, and no one that I know of on this entire earth can change who our parents are, or from which country or ethnicity’s that we were brought into this world.
I agree with my friend on most things, However my friend missed the point of the whole matter. As African Americans our experience is unique from any other group of people in the world. We brought over to the Western Hemisphere as slaves stripped of our culture & identity. Self hatred was breed into us. No other group in the history of the world have suffered & endured the the things that we have. You might say that was years ago; Yes but we are still feeling the effects today. Even Israel under the bondage of Pharaoh was allowed to keep there culture. An today they are an independent nation & It would be an insult to a Jewish person to tell them to spend their money with someone else before spending with their own people. And they are right.
The Civil Rights Movement made a lot of progress & today we have an African American President. However it did not truly address the condition of our people. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was working on a campaign to end poverty in America at the time of his death. He wanted to end poverty for all people. However his own people were in the worst shape.
“Economic Unity Is The Key To Our Success!” Economic Power gives us Political Power . Political Power gives us the Governmental Power to solve the many problems that plague our community!
We should spend with our own first to uplift our community. If you spend with the Black Business owner he or she will be able to re-invest in his or her community . This will help to level the playing field . Then & only then are we able to help & support other people. If you come home from work & your whole block is on fire ; By nature you will run to your house first to save your family first and only after they are safe will you attempt to save your neighbors. Think About It! To Be Continued….. http://www.blackunitedsuccess.com
Re-think Re-train Re-educate!
With unemployment rates skyrocketing major corporations going bankrupt.
Those of us in the job market must re-think our strategy for success. Especially African Americans who are experiencing the worst of the so-called recession. It is said when America has a cold African Americans have Pneumonia . In Michigan where the unemployment rate will reach 15% by the end of the year unemployment among African Americans in Michigan is near 21%. Michigan’s Governor Jenifer Granholm has started a retraining program for laid off auto workers & President Barack Obama has set aside more funds for college education. However As African Americans we have to take a more self sufficient approach. America was built on small business & small business will play a vital role in its recovery . As African Americans we must build & support our own businesses in our community . We must take advantage of the advances in technology to innovate network & assist one another. Don’t just trade one job for another & place your well being in the hands of someone else.We must take care of & support our own. So the next time America gets a cold we won’t even get a sniffle. Re Think Re Train Re Educate!
