tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18919740776977418672024-02-19T06:44:24.253-08:00Relationships and MoneyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-57415047460342669282011-08-10T10:33:00.001-07:002011-08-10T10:33:55.488-07:00Despite the Weak Economy, Black Hair is a Booming Business<p><img title="" alt="black hair, black women's hair, black women, african american women" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/08/07/us/HAIR/HAIR-articleLarge.jpg" width="420" height="221" /></p> <p>By JasmineHughes</p> <p>In a time where it seems most businesses are on the decline, hair salons are on the rise. The Census Bureau recently noted their jump in an otherwise glum report about mom-and-pop businesses, stating that the number of hairdressers and barbers and the shops that employ them grew by about 8 percent from 2008 to 2009. </p> <p><a href="http://blackwomentoday.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/despite-the-weak-economy-black-hair-is-a-booming-business/#more-244">Continue reading →</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-90968273434402856552011-08-09T17:12:00.001-07:002011-08-09T17:12:20.729-07:00Ryan Mack: 11 Tips for the Unemployed<p><img title="" alt="ryan mack, black unemployment, african americans, black wealth" src="http://yourblackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Black-unemployed-300x179.jpg" /></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://yourblackworld.com/2011/08/10/ryan-mack-seven-tips-for-the-unemployed/" target="_blank">CLICK TO READ</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-16944503689481612802011-08-05T12:32:00.001-07:002011-08-05T12:32:26.004-07:00College Students Seeking Out Sugar Daddies to Help Them Pay Tuition<p><img alt="" src="http://rollingout.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Condom_girl.jpg" width="322" height="210" /></p> <p>By JasmineHughes</p> <p>In light of the economic downturn, female college students are taking matters into their own hands. Now instead of working in McDonald’s, or shops for $8.00 an hour, many are finding it quicker and easier to seek older men and provide sex in exchange for tuition money. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://blackwomentoday.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/college-students-seeking-out-sugar-daddies-to-help-them-pay-tuition/#more-193" target="_blank">READ MORE AT BLACKWOMENTODAY</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-78176591328935350642011-07-31T07:16:00.001-07:002011-07-31T07:16:08.484-07:00Getting the Wedding You Want with No Drama<p><img src="http://newimageproductions.biz/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/AfricanAmericanWeddingCouple.37151820_std.jpg" /></p> <p>by George James</p> <p>The summer is a time for warm weather, vacation, family reunions and weddings. Many couples plan their wedding during the summer and fall months. Planning a wedding can bring a lot of stress and drama to the couple. From deciding when and where to get married, to working on the guest list and to figuring out how you will pay for the wedding. Stress and drama can also come from what other people want for your wedding and from handling major conflicts such as faith, money or where to live after the wedding. It is possible to get the wedding you want and not have any drama, even with all the possibilities leading up to the wedding.</p> <p><a href="http://blackwomentoday.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/getting-the-wedding-you-want-with-no-drama/#more-164">Continue reading →</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-36727010722033594442011-07-06T22:01:00.001-07:002011-07-06T22:01:44.572-07:00Embarrassed? Dallas Cowboy Star Sues Woman to get Back His $75,000 Engagement Ring<p><img src="http://yourblackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/roy-williams.jpg" /></p> <p><a href="http://yourblackworld.com/2011/07/07/dallas-cowboy-sues-woman-to-get-back-75000-engagement-ring/" target="_blank">CLICK TO READ</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-3049017148190775562011-06-23T10:31:00.001-07:002011-06-23T10:31:52.923-07:00Corporate America Now Has an Official Term for Excluding Black Businesses<p><img src="http://yourblackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/no-urban-dictate.jpg" /></p> <p>The code language was revealed at the Rainbow Push Convention. </p> <p><a href="http://yourblackworld.com/2011/06/23/now-theres-an-official-term-for-discriminating-against-black-businesses/" target="_blank">click to read</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-22437299636303434672011-05-23T03:26:00.001-07:002011-05-23T03:26:36.075-07:00Nene and Star Go at it in the Finale for Celebrity Apprentice<p><img src="http://yourblackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/nene_star_hope-300x211.jpg" /></p> <p>Tonight’s the big showdown – wonder who’s going to get the last punch? </p> <p><a href="http://yourblackworld.com/2011/05/23/nene-and-star-go-at-it-in-the-celebrity-apprentice-finale-tonight/" target="_blank">click to read</a></p> <p> </p> <div style="display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0352ed88-9fa4-4df3-9066-4e88a4a58e0e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/black+celebrities" rel="tag">black celebrities</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/black+celebrity+gossip" rel="tag">black celebrity gossip</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/nene+leakes" rel="tag">nene leakes</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/star+jones" rel="tag">star jones</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/celebrity+apprentice" rel="tag">celebrity apprentice</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-45789587323198668392011-05-09T06:00:00.001-07:002011-05-09T06:00:09.729-07:00Jumping the Broom Does Very Well at the Box Office<p> </p> <p><img src="http://yourblackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Jumping-The-Broom-movie-300x163.jpg" /></p> <p>Perhaps TD Jakes knows how to make a good movie after all.  But with Bob Johnson? </p> <p><a href="http://yourblackworld.com/2011/05/09/jumping-the-broom-does-well-at-the-box-office/" target="_blank">Click to read</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-90596705446549403612011-05-08T16:44:00.001-07:002011-05-08T16:44:48.736-07:00Huffington Post: Black Unemployment and the Great Black Disconnect for Obama<p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-boyce-watkins"> <br /><img alt="Dr. Boyce Watkins" src="http://s.huffpost.com/contributors/dr-boyce-watkins/headshot.jpg" width="45" height="45" /></a></p> <h4><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-boyce-watkins">Dr. Boyce Watkins</a></h4> <p>Professor, Syracuse University</p> <p>Posted: 05/ 8/11 03:51 PM ET</p> <p> </p> <p>President Obama has a problem, a very serious one. The president's problem is what I would call "The Great Black Disconnect." This divide is the place where black America's love and appreciation for the Obamas disconnects from the intense economic suffering of the African American community. Like a festering and infected wound that remains untreated, President Obama's support within the black community is threatened by the fact that the people who love him most are suffering unlike anything our nation has seen over the last 50 years.</p> <p>This week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics <a href="http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm">released its unemployment numbers </a>for the month of April. The figures were consistent with the jobless recovery that has taken good care of Wall Street, but created homelessness on Main Street. The national unemployment rate grew from 8.8 percent to 9 percent, which will surely perpetuate President Obama's somber ratings on economic performance.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-boyce-watkins/black-unemployment-and-th_b_858924.html" target="_blank">click to read.</a></p> <p> </p> <div style="display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:93ba744e-64ff-472d-90d4-6cf1b5c76df7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/black+unemployment" rel="tag">black unemployment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/black+scholars" rel="tag">black scholars</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-42234657895268347092011-05-07T16:44:00.001-07:002011-05-07T16:44:47.577-07:00Dr. Boyce: Oprah Fires her CEO, So What’s Next?<p><img src="http://www.mediaite.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/oprah-own.jpg" width="341" height="239" /></p> <p>Oprah Winfrey has fired the CEO of her network.  Is this a sign of desperation?  </p> <p><a href="http://yourblackworld.com/2011/05/07/oprah-winfrey-fires-the-ceo-of-the-own-network/" target="_blank">click to read.</a></p> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a46ce071-164d-4803-a6e9-c7eb00cb6cad" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/oprah+winfrey" rel="tag">oprah winfrey</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/own" rel="tag">own</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/black+news" rel="tag">black news</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/african+american+news" rel="tag">african american news</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-28551115510634923512011-05-06T05:22:00.001-07:002011-05-06T05:22:45.714-07:00“Birthers” Replaced by “Deathers”: Don’t Believe Bin Laden is Really Dead<p></p> <p><a href="http://yourblackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Is-Osama-bin-Laden-Really-Dead-Top-10-Osama-Deaths-600x250.jpg"><strong><img title="Is-Osama-bin-Laden-Really-Dead-Top-10-Osama-Deaths-600x250" alt="" src="http://yourblackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Is-Osama-bin-Laden-Really-Dead-Top-10-Osama-Deaths-600x250-300x125.jpg" width="300" height="125" /></strong></a></p> <p>by Brook Griffin, <a href="http://yourblackworld.com">Your Black World</a> </p> <p>Last week, when President Barack Obama released his long-form birth certificate, he silenced many of the critics, birthers, who didn’t believe that he was born in the United States.  Now, the birth certificate controversy has been replaced by another one:  whether or not Osama Bin Laden is actually dead.</p> <p><a href="http://yourblackworld.com/2011/05/06/birthers-replaced-by-deathers-dont-believe-bin-laden-is-dead/" target="_blank">click to read</a></p> <p> </p> <div style="display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:bc395c39-6106-455b-b7f4-080178457d49" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/barack+obama" rel="tag">barack obama</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/black+politics" rel="tag">black politics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/deathers" rel="tag">deathers</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-84504215108060588522011-05-06T04:26:00.001-07:002011-05-06T04:26:54.190-07:00“Jumping the Broom”: Just a Classier Version of Madea<p><img src="http://yourblackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/bilde-300x200.jpg" /></p> <p>"Jumping the Broom" is like a Tyler Perry movie with polish.</p> <p>The ensemble comedy is about a wedding involving a bride from a family of wealthy African-American professionals and a groom from a family of working-class Brooklynites. It is well-cast, well-played and passably written.</p> <p><a href="http://yourblackworld.com/2011/05/06/jumping-the-broom-simply-madea-with-a-touch-of-class/" target="_blank">click to read</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-28239148123612521872011-05-05T04:18:00.001-07:002011-05-05T04:18:47.782-07:00Study: Minorities Still Locked Out of Most Institutions<p></p> <p></p> <p><img src="http://a.abcnews.com/images/News/ht_obamas_presidential_day_110502_wg.jpg" width="404" height="231" />   <img alt="Taking command: President Obama talks with members of the national security team in the White House situtation room following the conclusion of the mission" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/05/03/article-1382859-0BE03DB700000578-539_964x680.jpg" width="407" height="290" /></p> <p>by Dr. Boyce Watkins, <a href="http://yourblackworld.com" target="_blank">YourBlackWorld.com</a>, <a href="http://scholarshipinaction.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Scholarship in Action</a> </p> <p>I took a look at an ABC News picture of President Barack Obama sitting in a Situation Room with lead advisers watching the assassination of Obama bin Laden.  Everyone had a tense look on their face, as 10 years of hard work suddenly came down to the wire.  I couldn’t help but notice, as I scanned all the faces across the room, that there were only two women present (Hillary Clinton and another woman in the back), and one bi-racial black man (President Obama).  Every other person in the room was a white male.  </p> <p>What startles me the most is that millions of other Americans can look at this picture and see absolutely nothing wrong with it.  The “white guy’s club” has always been the status quo in leadership positions. </p><a name='more'></a><p>It appears that this problem doesn’t just exist in government, it exists in academia, corporate America and nearly every other institution in our nation.  Most interesting is that no one seems to care or take the matter seriously.  Quite a few universities and corporations love to use the word “diversity” as if it were some kind of intellectual toilet paper, but most of them don’t actually practice anything close to what they preach. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://drboycewatkins.com/?p=154" target="_blank">click to read</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-44036961085578982512011-05-02T14:44:00.001-07:002011-05-02T14:44:39.701-07:00How are Black Women Affected by Not Having a Father in the Home?<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OrPBnlvaruE/Tb8kosmKDWI/AAAAAAAABlA/9ViyWaYQqCI/s1600-h/alslksaks%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="alslksaks" border="0" alt="alslksaks" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OrPBnlvaruE/Tb8kpZyIy0I/AAAAAAAABlE/C996Eie2Yr8/alslksaks_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="198" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>In the conversation below, I interview <a href="http://www.squeakymoore.com/" target="_blank">Squeaky Moore</a> and Ashley Shaunte, two aspiring filmmakers who’ve been able to make fatherless homes into a viral topic on the Internet.  Their short public service video on the topic has drawn hundreds of thousands of viewers, primarily because the idea of being without a dad has such a profound emotional impact on us all. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://blackbloggers.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/meet-the-ladies-who-made-fatherless-black-homes-into-a-viral-internet-topic/" target="_blank">click to read</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-8628652806593964382011-05-01T23:28:00.001-07:002011-05-01T23:28:32.159-07:00Black Unemployment More than Double Whites for Michigan Residents<p> </p> <p><img src="http://cdn1.newsone.com/files/2010/04/black_unemployment.jpg" /></p> <p>Your Black World reports </p> <p><a href="http://www.epi.org/page/-/old/Issuebriefs/IB%23301_Michigan_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">A recent report by the Economic Policy Institute</a> has revealed that the economic situation for African Americans is disproportionately bad for the state of Michigan.  According to the report, African Americans in Michigan have had an unemployment rate above 20 percent for every quarter since the start of 2009. Their 2010 annual unemployment rate was 23.4%.  White Michigan residents currently enjoy an unemployment rate of only 9.5% for last quarter. </p> <a name='more'></a> <p>The conditions are so bad that the lowest black unemployment rate since 2008 (12.2%) is only slightly lower than the highest unemployment conditions experienced by whites in Michigan (12.7%).  So, their terrible times are our good times and our horrible times don’t get attention from political leaders whatsoever. </p> <p>Perhaps we don’t live in a post-racial America after all, since the unemployment picture is clearly different for blacks and whites. </p> <h4><strong><em>Please join the </em></strong><a href="http://yourblackworld.com"><strong><em>Your Black World</em></strong></a><strong><em> Coalition by visiting </em></strong><a href="http://yourblackworld.com" target="_blank"><strong><em>YourBlackWorld.com</em></strong></a></h4> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-10258961839668792852011-04-30T13:33:00.001-07:002011-04-30T13:33:53.463-07:00Regal Black Women from Around the World<p><img alt="Royal Report: 6 Regal Black Women from Around the World" src="http://cache.blackenterprise.com/files/2011/04/BlackRoyaltyBusiness.jpg?w=500&h=320&zc=C&q=100" width="391" height="250" /></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="Royal Report: 6 Regal Black Women from Around the World" src="http://cache.blackenterprise.com/files/2011/04/PrincessangelaLichtenstein.jpg?w=500&h=320&zc=C&q=100" width="398" height="252" /></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="Royal Report: 6 Regal Black Women from Around the World" src="http://cache.blackenterprise.com/files/2011/04/BaronessDeMassy.jpg?w=500&h=320&zc=C&q=100" width="403" height="258" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Click here to read about these women and <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/04/28/black-princesses-royalty-from-around-the-world/" target="_blank">others on Black Enterprise</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-18751058526234797252011-04-29T08:44:00.001-07:002011-04-29T08:44:34.161-07:00Black Americans Not Getting Good Financial Advice<p> </p> <p><a href="http://blackbloggers.wordpress.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.danpink.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/08-01-17_money8-1jpg.jpeg" width="361" height="277" /></a></p> <p>by TEWire <br /><i>Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Afro American Newspapers</i> <br />Originally posted 4/27/2011 <br /> <br />Only two out of every 10 African-Americans are on a path to achieve their retirement goals, according to a six-month-old survey of Blacks conducted by a major wealth manager.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://drboycemoney.blogspot.com/2011/04/black-americans-not-getting-good.html" target="_blank">click to read</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-50856324003242701582011-04-28T20:50:00.001-07:002011-04-28T20:50:51.584-07:00Oil Companies are Making Less Gas but Much Higher Profits<p> <img alt="Photo: Valero refinery" src="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2011-04/61227702.jpg" width="439" height="290" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Gasoline prices are skyrocketing — and so are oil company profits. <br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/economy-business-finance/exxon-mobil-corporation-ORCRP005510.topic">Exxon Mobil Corp.</a> earned nearly $11 billion in the first three months of the year, a rollicking 69% increase over its performance for the same period last year. That's on sales of $114 billion. <br />It's the same story for the other big oil companies. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/economy-business-finance/royal-dutch-shell-plc-ORCRP013311.topic">Royal Dutch Shell</a> turned a profit of $6.3 billion in the first quarter, and <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/economy-business-finance/energy-resource-industries/petroleum-industry/bp-plc-ORCRP002197.topic">BP</a> — despite lingering costs from the Gulf Coast <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/environmental-issues/environmental-pollution/water-pollution/gulf-of-mexico-oil-spill-%282010%29-EVHST0000243.topic">oil spill</a>— made $7.1 billion. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://blackamericanmoney.com/blacknews/?p=3080" target="_blank">click to read</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-4681491940848408972011-04-25T13:04:00.001-07:002011-04-25T13:04:35.535-07:00Quick YBW Note: The Obama Family Enjoys Easter Sunday<p><a href="http://africanamericanattorneys.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/obamaeaster.jpg"><img style="display:inline;border-width:0;" title="obamaeaster" border="0" alt="obamaeaster" src="http://africanamericanattorneys.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/obamaeaster_thumb.jpg" width="581" height="385" /></a> </p> <p>The Obamas celebrate Easter Sunday at the historic Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-90180000200102343562011-04-23T06:59:00.001-07:002011-04-23T06:59:45.676-07:00Black Family Wealth Has Virtually Disappeared<p><img src="http://www.yourblackworld.com/images/black_wealth.jpg" /></p> <p>by Dr. Boyce Watkins – <a href="http://yourblackworld.com" target="_blank">YourBlackWorld.com</a> </p> <p>The first decade of the new millennium brought a lot of things that the world didn't expect: the ability to order a pizza on your home computer, cell phones that allow you to talk to your friends face-to-face, and our nation's first black president.</p> <p> <br />One other unexpected event of the last decade is the disappearance of a century's worth of progress in reducing the wealth gap between black and white Americans. As<a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/wealth-of-black-families-has-disappeared-2011-02-09">Rex Nutting at Market Watch so accurately notes</a>, wealth levels of the black family in America have declined dramatically during the past decade, and they show no evidence of getting better any time soon.</p> <p> <br />According to Nutting, "In a country where access to capital is everything, most blacks have nothing."</p> <p> </p> <a name='more'></a> <p> <br />First, Nutting mentions that African Americans have the highest unemployment rates in the country, which stand at an average of 16.5%, compared to 9% for whites. What is most daunting is that soaring black joblessness, combined with higher foreclosure rates, bankruptcies, and declining home values have seriously cut into the wealth of the black family in America. in other words, we are the first to lose our jobs, have the least wealth to protect our families when times are tough, and a greater reliance on declining home equity as a source of economic security. This economy has provided the perfect storm of black economic destruction.</p> <p>According to Nutting, the median net worth for black households dropped from $9,300 in 2007 to $2,200 in 2009, much lower than the median wealth of $98,000 for white households. He also mentions that incomes dropped in black homes by 7.2% between 2007 and 2009, much greater than the 4.2% decline for white families.</p> <p>Nutting's article reminds us that the United States has a long way to go when it comes to wealth distribution. Over 80% of the nation's wealth is controlled by just 20% of its citizens, and the richest 1% of Americans controls one-third of the nation's wealth. Roughly 40% of Americans have no wealth at all. African Americans are disproportionately represented in the group of Americans with zero or negative wealth, which is a problem that most of our elected officials are inclined to ignore, and something that our nation's citizens don't spend much time getting upset about.</p> <p> <br />Nutting is correct to mention that most Americans have their wealth tied up in their home values. So, when home prices dropped so dramatically during the economic downturn, this led to the wealth of many black families disappearing as quickly as it had arrived. Most of the economic disparities in the United States don't exist because whites are more responsible with their money or possess economic intelligence that black people don't have. The primary reason for the gap is that for hundreds of years, African Americans added to our nation's net worth, but were not being properly compensated for it (<a href="http://www.bvonmoney.com/2011/01/14/dr-boyce-video-cam-newton-auburn-and-the-ncaa-what-the-hay/"><strong>similar to how the NCAA operates</strong></a>). Being left out of the growth of America's economic engine has kept African Americans at the bottom of the ladder of institutional opportunity: Our school systems are not well-funded, we can't find jobs because we don't own the businesses that take applications, and we continue to be utilized as for-profit commodities by the prison industrial complex.</p> <p> <br />According to Nutting's research regarding the Survey of Consumer Finances, black families were three times wealthier (in real terms) in 1983 than they were in 2009. As white families saw their net worth grow from $124,000 in 2001 to $143,600 in 2007, blacks actually saw their net worth drop from $12,500 to $9,300. By 2009, white families saw their wealth levels drop to $94,600, but African Americans's levels dropped even more to $2,200. So, between 2001 and 2009, African American families went from having a disgraceful one-tenth of the wealth of white families to an even more horrific ratio of one-fiftieth.</p> <p> <br />I am not sure how to process <a href="http://www.bvblackspin.com/2011/02/14/obama-unveils-3-73-trillion-budget-for-2012/"><strong>the Obama Administration's</strong></a> blind, deaf and dumb response to the persistent wealth and opportunity gaps in America that pertain to race. While the president continues to be popular among African Americans, I would encourage members of his administration to remember that leading with courage is an important part of making African American history (not just holding a fancy title that adds almost nothing more than symbolic value for the black community at large). Courage means sometimes doing things that are not popular and working to make America better. <br />Given that I haven't heard the president or his team use the words "black man," "black woman," or "black families" in public over the last two years, I am concerned as to whether or not our first black president has been or is willing to do much to fight on issues that matter to black people who didn't go to Harvard University. For example, it's interesting that President Obama would speak up for Henry Louis Gates in a meaningless and ambiguous scuffle with a police officer, but wouldn't say a word about <a href="http://www.bvonmoney.com/2011/02/11/kelley-williams-bolar-jailed-ohio-mom-defends-herself-npr/"><strong>Kelley Williams-Bolar</strong></a>, a black woman who was sent to jail for trying to get her kids into a good school. The latter case was far more significant in the fight against inequality, but Kelley's housing projects were apparently not close enough to Harvard Yard.</p> <p> <br />There is the added complication that perhaps, because of being a black man, President Obama could "get in trouble" with white voters for advocating on issues that matter to African Americans. This argument has been used by supporters of Hillary Clinton, who might be far less sheepish or self-conscious about advocating for women and minorities. I'm not sure if the Clinton supporters are correct, but the last two years have made many African American families wonder if it even matters who sits in the White House.</p> <h2><strong><em>Dr. </em></strong><a href="http://scholarshipinaction.blogspot.com"><strong><em>Boyce Watkins</em></strong></a><strong><em> is the founder of the </em></strong><a href="http://yourblackworld.com"><strong><em>Your Black World</em></strong></a><strong><em> Coalition.  To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, </em></strong><a href="https://greatblackspeakers.wufoo.com/forms/dr-boyce-watkins-on-aol-black-voices/" target="_blank"><strong><em>please click here.</em></strong></a><strong><em> </em></strong></h2> <strong><em></em></strong> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:402a9fd5-d532-4796-bdb9-3f7cf81a5786" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/black+wealth" rel="tag">black wealth</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/african+american+wealth" rel="tag">african american wealth</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/black+scholars" rel="tag">black scholars</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/african+american+scholars" rel="tag">african american scholars</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-32382250775465212102011-04-21T19:31:00.001-07:002011-04-21T19:31:26.049-07:00Would You Pay $50,000 to Meet Oprah Winfrey?<p><img src="http://www.celebritysmackblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/oprah-winfrey-ending-show.jpg" /></p> <p> </p> <p>It turns out that Oprah Winfrey is partnering with CharityBuzz to auction off her quality time.  The expected running price is going to be $50,000. Would you pay that much to meet with Oprah if you had the money?  </p> <p>The money is being raised for human rights and Oprah is auctioning off four tickets to her show in Chicago and the chance to meet her backstage.  Perhaps since it’s for charity, it all makes sense. </p> <div style="display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:cf998556-9328-45b5-a044-2cf3648bc9f4" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/black+celebrity+gossip" rel="tag">black celebrity gossip</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/oprah+winfrey" rel="tag">oprah winfrey</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-22345104985505575522011-04-18T19:28:00.001-07:002011-04-18T19:28:53.956-07:00Mo’Nique: Black Women Need to Learn to “Submit” to their Men<p><img src="http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/monique.jpg" /></p> <p>Dr. <a href="http://scholarshipinaction.blogspot.com">Boyce Watkins</a>, <a href="http://yourblackworld.com">Your Black World</a> </p> <p>Mo’Nique and her guests seem to think that black women work too hard to take control in their relationships.  <a href="http://yourblackworld.blip.tv/file/5039184/" target="_blank">In the video below,</a> Mo’Nique goes into what women need to do in order to keep a man happy in a relationship.   Her disposition seems to imply that black women have been taught to be too independent and this leads to the breakdown of their relationships. </p> <p><a href="http://africanamericanlove.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/monique-black-women-need-to-learn-to-submit-to-their-men/" target="_blank">Click to read.</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-6745855665427326372011-03-21T19:31:00.001-07:002011-03-21T19:31:00.732-07:00Dr. Boyce Spotlight: Black Female Entrepreneur Teaches Math to Make Her Money<p><img border="1" hspace="4" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvblackspin.com/media/2011/03/stephanie-espy-pic.jpg" /></p> <p>by Dr. <a href="http://scholarshipinaction.blogspot.com">Boyce Watkins</a>, <a href="http://drboycewatkins.com/thesyracuseprofessor">Syracuse University</a> – <a href="http://scholarshipinaction.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Scholarship in Action</a> </p> <p><strong>What is your name, and what do you do?</strong> <br />My name is Stephanie Espy, and I'm the founder and president of MathSP (<a href="http://www.mathsp.com/">www.MathSP.com</a>). MathSP is a math enrichment company that helps individuals to improve their math skills. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, MathSP provides instruction to middle school students, high school students, college students, adults who need additional math-based resources alongside their coursework, and students who need an added challenge beyond their coursework. MathSP also prepares individuals for the math section of various standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, computer-adaptive exams such as the GMAT or GRE, and state exams such as the EOCT or GHSGT.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.bvonmoney.com/2011/03/21/dr-boyce-watkins-spotlight-creating-a-business-out-of-tutoring/" target="_blank">Click to read</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-39086134349220089662011-03-20T08:50:00.001-07:002011-03-20T08:50:31.538-07:00Tyra Banks Heads to Harvard Business School<p><img border="1" hspace="4" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvonmoney.com/media/2011/03/tyrabanks21231.jpg" /></p> <p>by Dr. <a href="http://scholarshipinaction.blogspot.com">Boyce Watkins</a>, <a href="http://drboycewatkins.com/thesyracuseprofessor">Syracuse University</a> – <a href="http://scholarshipinaction.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Scholarship in Action</a> </p> <p>Media superstar and modeling-model Tyra Banks recently announced that she's headed to the Harvard Business School. While it's still not clear if she's getting an official degree (I assume its a short-term executive education course; I can't imagine someone with her experience and schedule taking too much time off for school), one has to be impressed with her decision to continue educating herself. Some might think that education is simply a thing you tolerate long enough to make money to support yourself. Nothing could be further from the truth, since learning should be a lifelong process.</p> <p> <br />"I started last summer and I didn't really talk about it. It was very incognito, my name and everything, but I decided to talk about it [now]. I think it's a positive thing, especially for girls to see that you can still continue to educate yourself and you can still be fabulous and fierce and celebrate your femininity," Tyra said to MTV News.</p> <p><a href="http://www.bvonmoney.com/2011/03/20/tyra-banks-going-to-harvard-sets-a-standard-for-black-entertaine/" target="_blank">Click to read.</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891974077697741867.post-37010002558439791492011-02-16T16:41:00.001-08:002011-02-16T16:41:11.341-08:00Dr. Boyce: Oprah and Iyanla Finally Settle the Beef<p><img border="1" hspace="4" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvonmoney.com/media/2011/02/oprah2.jpg" /></p> <p>by Dr. <a href="http://scholarshipinaction.blogspot.com">Boyce Watkins</a>, <a href="http://drboycewatkins.com/thesyracuseprofessor">Syracuse University</a> – <a href="http://scholarshipinaction.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Scholarship in Action</a> </p> <p>I watched with extreme curiosity as the great Iyanla Vanzant emerged again on the Oprah Winfrey show after being gone for a full 11 years. I wasn't entirely connected to the feud between Winfrey and Vanzant, primarily because we don't think much about people that we haven't seen in over a decade. Of course Oprah is on everyone's mind, and even those who don't follow her seem to know everything she has been up to.</p> <p> <br />As the guest came to the stage, even a man from Mars could tell that there was latent mega-beef between Oprah and Iyanla. Both women seemed to overcompensate when it came to doing all they could to prove that the past was the past and that everything was OK. But the tension was so thick that it seemed to suck the oxygen out of the room.</p> <p><a href="http://www.bvonmoney.com/2011/02/16/oprah-winfrey-vs-iyanla-vanzant-powerful-black-women-money-an/" target="_blank">click to read.</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0