Black History Month has a dual function.  We look to our past for indicators.  Also, we must learn from our history to chart a course for our future. 

  

Our history in America has taught us to overcome many difficult situations -- socially, politically, economically.  We honor our heroes, and celebrate our victories.  This is entirely appropriate.  So, in the words of Shakespeare, "The past is prologue..."

  

What then, are we to do to chart a new course?  The recent economic recession has resulted in increasing gaps in our progress:

• Black homeownership is at a lower level than in the 90's.
• Black families are increasingly headed by single women.
• Black high school dropout rates are higher.
• Black poverty levels are increasing.
• Black wealth is declining.

The trend lines are going in the wrong direction.

  

What the past has taught us is that we can overcome daunting challenges when we take the future in our hands. Our youth sparked the Civil Rights Movement with sit-ins.  The solidarity of the Black community in Birmingham overcame the potential devastaing effects of the bus boycott to achieve equality in transportation. 

  

Of note is that the current deficit debate is demonstrating that we cannot look to the Federal Government to come to our rescue.  Headstart programming will be cut; Pell Grants will be cut; community black grants will be cut; state, local, and even federal government employment is under attack (Blacks are better represented in Federal employment than in the civilian labor force).  So, things may get worse before they get better.

  

In the weeks to come, I will begin to look more closely at ways in which we can improve our outcomes through self-help initiatives.

  

The answers lay in how well we look to each other to help improve outcomes within our communities, businesses, families and organizations. 

  

Share your ideas below about ways in which we can help each other in your local community.

 

  

Roger Madison

Founder and CEO

iZania, LLC