Black Economics: Solutions for Economic and Community Empowerment

by Jawanza Kunjufu

This micro- and macro-analysis of economic conditions in the black community explores why African Americans earn only 61 percent of white American income, why many African Americans prefer to maintain a “good job” rather than own and operate their own businesses, and why African American consumers only spend 3 percent of their $600 billion in African American businesses. Topics covered include present and historical analysis, foreign economic success, the global economy, obstacles to development, and black consumers and entrepreneurs. This replaces 091354325X.

Genres: Economics, Business, Finance

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Rodney Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an essential book for everyone’s personal library and as a minimum for your home library. This book is great for helping African Americans to learn some history as to how we got where we are and how to move beyond it. The book is also a great read for all other groups to help them understand the plight of African Americans and how it has been different than all other groups. I recommend it specifically for white people to learn their historic role in African American’s plight and also what can be done to stop hindering African American progress both knowingly and unknowingly

[Dave Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A serious read for committed community leaders

[Leon Kwasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book and a lot of good strategy and tactics for improving the African-American community through education and economics.

[DORIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK. SO GOOD I HAD TO READ IT TWICE. WELL DONE👍🏽😎

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

practical economic solutions. blacks need to support black businesses.

[Jennifer Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very interesting and eye opening. It helps to gain an understanding as to why POC do not flourish like we should in economics.

[Matt McCullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read that combines a summary of the history of economics in the Black community with an analysis of relatively recent situations. Unlike many other books, the author goes through plans for improving the economic status from multiple aspects. If you're already a student of entrepreneurship and economics, it may be a bit introductory for you. Definitely worth reading.

[Aaron Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

title says it all...good read

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concepts are sound, even though the books is a little outdated. The difficult thing would be figuring out the step-by-step implementation of the recommendations, especially as it relates to today's economic environment. I was really interested in the author's "mock meeting" with notable people. However, I wished he would have provided a full transcript of such discussion, rather than his opined summary. I hope that the author would consider releasing a fully updated version, with better editing for typos. Nonetheless, the author's 10 point manifesto is still VITALLY important today, and should be further promoted. The black community in America is in dire need of economic development and economic liberation, more black businesses and supportive consumers, a drastic increase in black employment(particularly black male employment), community development and a stronger and more involved black middle class.

I liked this book and hope others (regardless or race or economic standing) will read it. The book is a comprehensive, easy to understand economics primer.

[Frederick Amadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did a great job of providing possible solutions to problems the black community faces economically. Dr. Kunjufu delves into various tactics we can use as a people to improve our financial resources and claim more power for ourselves. There are many sad and depressing points that he brings to the readers attention, because many of these issues STILL exist to this very day. But hopefully as more and more African Americans read and spread the knowledge, things will improve for the better.

The reason I gave this book a 4 star instead of a 5, is simply because there are many typos throughout the book which could be confusing at times if you aren't paying attention. Whoever the editor was, didn't do a very good job.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit outdated but vary interesting book to read. "black folks buy what they want. in beg what they need." a common quotes from the book.

[Asha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Remember when Bill Cosby , (not the rapist part) but the 90’s self righteous version went on tour in urban cities telling Black people what they are doing wrong and lazy and how they can finally rise up. Ok that’s what this book reminds me of.
I was excited to read this book, I heard about the author for years and as someone trying to create my own business , but this book was pretty bad. There are some important concepts and valid points but
1) he writes poorly, jumping from topic to topic without elaborating on some ideas or statements
2) It is so outdated and so riddled with widely generalized and stereotypic stats and ideas
3) He’s not talking with the Black community he talking at it. ( there is a difference)

Some statements from the book

- Repeatedly refers to “ unproductive African Americans “ instead on unemployed African Americans,
-The 3 biggest employers of Black men is McDonald’s, military and drug market.
-The 4 stores in the black neighborhood is church, bbq spot and 2 liquor stores.
-Black business owners don’t lack capital and resources, they lack self esteem

Not to take these statements out of context but they are highly problematic

The author who supposed to be known for uplifting the Black community, seems to himself have a ( subconscious) demeaning image of it or at least urban northern Black communities. He believes we are capable of more but over highlights the negative.
Now to give context , the book published in 1991 , would have been written when urban cities were considered the poster child for crime, unemployment, addiction. He had an opportunity to present an alternative and share more the history of black community building and prior history of businesses but instead he enlarges the poster .
In the authors defense , in the 90’s, his approach was the general approach from many professional/ “ educated “ Blacks leaders.

This book was in no way empowering, as a black business owner, . I’m not sure if his other books on Black boys or family are better, but I loss interest in his opinion.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and informative about economic conditions in the African American community. He makes an encouraging argument of why as a community we should put economic empowerment before political empowerment. He has lots of ideas and suggestions for how this can be done based on much statistical information and historical facts. It's a very quick and easy read. The book was published in 2002, so numbers and calculations he makes are out-of-date, so just adjust for inflation. Kunjufu is spot on about many issues and attitudes that hold African-American back economically. I enjoyed reading his analysis of the situation. He even touches on the idea of reparations, even though, far-fetched, he makes a great argument for it. My only drawback was the way that he ended the book in the last chapter, with the fictional meeting of his chosen leaders. Maybe, it was an attempt at a call to action for the named individuals/groups, and he just repeated much of the previous information he already mentioned. Perhaps it also served as a review of the info. Still a great book if you like reading on topics related to finances and economics or if you are an entrepreneur. I was introduced to some great ideas here that I plan to build on. If you're Black Read it!

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great examination of the socioeconomic conditions of the Black community.

[Lasley Wevell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a little dated, but the overarching idea remains the same. Wish there was modern version of this book.