If we want to grow economically and politically self sustaining communities, a conscious effort to build around black industry, politics, and the education of our communities should be the goal. While start up entrepreneurs, civil servants, and rookie teachers gain experience complementing established organizations, those with the capital, resources, and ability can provide healthy competition which can improve quality service and lower prices—theoretically. It’s being done, no doubt, but it doesn’t seem to be done with a conscious effort in the Black community. Not everyone can become industry leaders in entertainment like Oprah, Marvin Ellison, Byron Allen, or even Jay Z, however we can build an infrastructure that complements their needs as well as ours in various industries while increasing our personal and community wealth.
We may SEE great opportunities for us in Sports and Entertainment—it’s the reason why our young men would rather be sports players and rappers, however there are greater opportunities for success in complementary industries. Costume design, sound engineers, choreography, set design, agents, trainers, coaches, lawyers, etc, as well as administrative, promotion, and marketing services that can provide opportunity as well. Not only are there few barriers of entry into these various careers, they offer great compensation to those who have a passion for what they do and become successful in their industry. The skills needed to perform these services can also be applied to other industries as well.
This doesn’t have to be Sports and Entertainment, this could be in urban Development and Real Estate, Law, Food industry, Agriculture and any other industry. Barbers and hairstylist need supplies; store owners and office managers need janitorial services, cars need used parts, used tires, and mechanics to work on them. Entrepreneurs need sales people, lawyers need paralegals, Schools need teachers, fire houses need firefighters, police departments need GOOD police, etc etc… The point is, there are a plethora of opportunities waiting to be tapped with minimal entry limitations. There are multimillion dollar lawn care companies that started with one lawn mower and a few neighbors un-cut lawns.
Black agencies made up of an independent board that can manage a database of resources for major industries that members can access. This may include financial, tax, real estate, law, media, manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers to ensure the circulation of the black dollar within the community. The most reputable and credible non-black farmers, financial institutions, manufacturers, suppliers, and wholesalers may be included as well since if those is us in the Black community are short on supply. While this may be the case, Black business owners will be priority first.
Competition should fuel incentive, quality, and growth. Those who are the best at what they do will grow with those who are leaders or emerging leaders in the various industries.
While we begin to work together economically, we should pursue more representation in politics, local municipalities, and unions with relationships to the proper lobbying groups. It should be simultaneous on the local, state, and federal levels with a healthy mix of conservative and liberal political ideals to ensure our liberty, rights, and public welfare. Black people should take full advantage of our rights and liberties including gun rights and freedom of speech. This should be done in areas where we are the majority population or deciding vote in an area, voting policy over party.
A movement which promotes a general love for acquiring knowledge through reading, proper research, scholarship, and the scientific method in the various studies of history, economics, military, politics, technology, math and science can not be understated. Careers in the various forms of teaching and university research will be some of the most important industries Black people can pursue. A love for education, imagination, and the seeking of knowledge should be instilled in our youth.
As we sure up economic, educational, and political stability, we must build relationship with allies, no matter their race, who are in pursuit of the same goals. Those who will either meet with a fair competitive term that can be mutually agreed upon, or on our terms only.
A creation of a theology or spiritual system that is based on a common idea. This idea can be based on a common origin, our history, Patriarchs and heroes, Moral and Dietary Law, and philosophy that most Africans of the diaspora can identify with and apply to everyday life. This will be essential for maintaining our various cultural identities while simultaneously connecting each other to a common cause. Think about the idea of Religion; religion has brought people together from different languages and cultures based on one idea of God. Even with money, everyone has fallen behind the idea of currency no matter the religion, language, or race. This system should not impede on personal religious beliefs or personal relationship or sexual practices within the confines of the law.
Instilling the best ideas of Frederick Douglass, Booker T Washington, WEB DuBois, Thomas Sowell, Thurgood Marshall, MLK, Malcolm X, Cheikh Anta Diop, Kwame Nkruma, Black Panthers, The NOI, ADOS, UHURU, BLM, and others; consolidating these many ideas and plans will provide an incredible guide that will help us consider the approach with greatest success based on our skills and the best quality service, product, expertise, or professional knowledge we can provide for the community.
In closing, what should be added or omitted that will enhance and improve this plan to build a proper structure that has positive results both spiritually and physically which will be a leading example for the African diaspora to internalize and apply?
