Mellody: There are numerous factors that underpin these trends, but a few stand out. The first is that the push to get our kids a good education has started bearing fruit. For example, while Black kids still graduate high school at a lower rate than the general populous, those who do graduate are actually more likely than the general population to enroll in college, with 70.9% of high school graduates doing so.
Secondly, Black America is young. The average age of African-Americans is 31.4 years old, compared to 36.7 years for the total population. A younger population has meant that young Black individuals are more influential than their parents’ generation in creating and harnessing mainstream trends, as well as being key consumer demographics.
Finally, in the past few years, Black america has seen an influx of diverse, educated and affluent immigrants that is helping to amplify Black political and economic influence across the country. Black immigrants now account for 8.7% of the nation’s Black population, nearly triple their share in 1980. Our community is no longer as monolithic in its experience as it once was, and as the profile of our community expands, and so too does our impact as consumers and stakeholders.
Tom: Very interesting to learn about these developments. Thanks for joining us, Mellody!
Mellody: Great to be here, Tom!
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Monday Mondays: The Power Of The Black Dollar was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
