Earlier this week, the National Urban League unveiled its annual 2011
State of Black America Report -- The National Urban League
"Jobs Rebuild America 12 Point Plan" - Putting Urban America Back to
Work.This report highlighted a 12 point proposal of actions to put Urban America back to work.
The highest priority in Black America is creating more urban jobs. This report focuses on Government programs and initiatives. While we should continue to be advocates for directing more of our tax dollars to urban communities, we must also take all the steps we can to help our communities recover from this recession.
What Black Economic Empowerment is all about is creating Jobs, Jobs, Jobs.
We are often reminded of the
economic buying power of African Americans -- projected to soon reach $1
trillion . We are also reminded of the economic challenges facing Black
Americans.
Black economic empowerment involves three key factors that are gaining in support. These factors can work together to help improve conditions for Black-owned businesses, Black individuals, and Black communities and complement the 12 point plan of the National Urban League.
- First, Black Entrepreneurs who are successful tend to hire more employees within our own community. In the book, African Americans in the US Economy, a study of the Atlanta Metropolitan area revealed that 76% of the employees of Black-owned businesses were Black. According to the most recent report of the U.S. Census Bureau, Black-owned businesses have grown 60% over the the period 2002-2007. This growth creates more employment opportunities in the Black community.
- Secondly, support of Black-owned businesses provide positive role models and stable economic foundations for Black communities. The rapid increase in Black entrepreneurs is a positive trend that has had a positive impact on job creation in Black communities.
- Finally, Black Economic Empowerment is a choice that Black consumers can influence by taking the initiative to support Black-owned businesses. Self-help economic development must be initiated and sustained by us.
We encourage the members of the iZania Community to continue your support of Black-owned businesses as a critical element in the economic progress of all Black Americans.
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