Many people have their own perspective on how to improve the black community. To me this is a topic that deserves a lot of attention. Therefore I would like to take this time to answer the question.

To me there are two communities within the black community. I refer to one group as "the in group" and the other is called "the outsiders." "The in group" does not imply you have an advanced degree or a lot of income, but these people see the black community's problems as a result of social, economic, or moral decay; maybe all three, or a combination of the two of them. Generally, "the in group" includes business owners, lawyers, politicians, ministers, doctors, teachers, etc. Typically they have a stronger understanding of the social issues that plague us all. "The outsiders" are prone to believe either that more religion, or the "fast money" approach will improve the community. Those who follow the "fast money" could be drug dealers, or individuals who sell hot merchandise. They are not willing to give up their lifestyle for the good of the community.
Unfortunately a lot of them are unable to fully understand how their dealings hurt the economics of their surroundings. The rest who are in favor of more religion as their cause, see the overwhelming problems of the black community are caused by turning away from God.

Yes that was a very simple definition of the people within the black community. Yet I needed a starting point, in order to come up with viable way to improve the black community. "The in group" generally makes up the leaders of the community. Often they have more mobility, and work or live in better zip codes in the city, or moved to the suburbs. Sometimes "the outsiders" who choose to make a honest living must travel outside city limits, in order to find a job to establish a decent living. In some places in America, we have cities in which the greatest concentration of blacks have few high paying jobs within their neighborhoods. It is necessary to bring this point to the forefront, because many believe that if you educate the children then the community will eventually improve. I really doubt that this is a sufficient answer.

Notice I am trying to give you something that you can take to the people and your public officials. We should be trying to strengthen the black community, instead of tearing it apart. As far as I can see, the major challenge in the black community is building a stronger business infrastructure, which offers high paying jobs. If the children of the future are so valued, then we must provide them with a reason to stay in the community after high school or college graduation. It is true that education is very important to bringing about positive change for future generations, but you need more businesses in the black community right now to put more money back into some struggling communities. Now where myself and some of "the outsiders" as I refer to them, disagree. Some of "the outsiders" believe that Church should be the leader of change and foundation of the black community. Many of them that I have spoken to believe that a return to Church will rebuild the spirit of the black community, and almost all of them pointed to the Civil Rights Movement as proof of their assertion. I go to Church, and should also point out, that I moved away from home in East Cleveland, Ohio, because my job search did not produce a good offer in the fall of 2000.

Sure in the black community we have numerous businesses that are sole proprietor or family owned, yet we need more corporations that can hire hundreds or thousands of people within arms reach. Look around you, most of the profitable enterprises in the community are not owned by us. This is the reason why I see business as a more viable solution than Church, because businesses offers more jobs. To me, Church would be a more pleasant place if its members do not struggle to make ends meet, and of course it will have more money to spread all of its ministries.

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