Page 2 of 2
Recommendations:
It has long been my belief that if the African-American community made the same commitment and focused the same energies on economic development and the development of a highly skilled “entrepreneur class” that it did in the fight for
civil rights, most of our social problems could be eliminated. But, like the civil rights movement, for the economic movement to be successful, it will require new thinking and a coordinated and committed effort from all segments of the community. Community leaders, religious organizations, and African American politicians must be convinced to have a greater appreciation for the role of the entrepreneur in solving Black America’s unemployment problem. We all know that the best and most effective social program towards curing many of the Black community’s socio-economic ills is a good paying job. As noted African American Sociologist Andrew Billingsley points out, “Black men who aren’t working, don’t want to get married; and Black women don’t want to marry them.”
A real commitment must be made to entrepreneurial education that includes the basic and fundamental aspects of the entrepreneurial mindset. Primary schools in the Black community should be encouraged to incorporate entrepreneur-training programs into their curriculum. It is never too early to begin teaching children the skills that will enable them to be in control of their economic destiny. Secondary school graduates should be encouraged and offered incentives to pursue business courses in college. I would like to see full scholarships created by national civil rights organizations, Black chambers of commerce, churches, and community organizations, in partnership with some of the premier universities for business and entrepreneur training. These scholarships would be established specifically for African-American students pursuing entrepreneur careers. One of the stipulations for receiving these scholarships could be that the recipient would have to agree to return and create business enterprises in their communities. In the spirit of “cooperative economics and self-help,” community organizations and churches can create entrepreneurial investment funds designed to provide micro loans and start-up capital for new business ventures.
Finally, our history is filled with models of successful Black “Captains of Industry.” Entrepreneurs who not only talked the talk, but walked the walk. Our challenge is to build on this entrepreneurial tradition by creating thousands of new entrepreneurs devoted to becoming the job creators and “Captains of Industry” of the 21st century. It is this entrepreneur class who will create the social and commercial enterprises that drive economic growth and produce the jobs necessary to lift our communities out of poverty.
Your comments and suggestions are always welcomed.
- Thinking Globally
- Ron Watkins, Founder and Publisher
- PH: 773-768-5757; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS
