The Wealth and Health Divide in America

By Marlon R. Aldridge, Sr.

Although Blacks have more education and more income than they did 40 years ago, they have not closed the wealth gap and the health disparities gap with Whites.

Black leaders in conjunction with governments and big corporations have made decent gains in education and jobs for Blacks. But what about other important social measures like wealth and health? Read more...

BMTT Mii Haiti Fund

Black Man's Think Tank Supports Haiti

Due to a major earthquake, the people of Haiti have suffered terrible loss of life, loss of property, and loss of ability to sustain themselves. All people regardless of race or ethnicity are supporting the survivors in a show of humanity. However, we in the United States, who share a common African ancestry with Haitians, must not be underrepresented in our show of support. Therefore, it is for the dual purpose of supporting our brothers and sisters in Haiti and for showing solidarity with them that the Black Man's Think Tank has created this page. We urge you to donate through our trusted partner, Oxfam America, to assure that the funds go directly to Haitian survivors. Donate now!

  The Connection between Industry and Assimilation

By Marlon R. Aldridge, Sr.

I often speak about the development of industry among Black organizations and Black professionals and about assimilation. I will show later that there is a connection between industry and assimilation, but first I will construct characteristics of good industry and broaden current understandings of assimilation.

These definitions about industry come from MSN Encarta:

1. large-scale production: organized [emphasis added] economic activity connected with the production, manufacture, or construction of a particular product or range of products.

2. widespread [emphasis added] activity: an activity that many people are involved in, especially one that has become commercialized or standardized [emphasis added] [e.g.,] counseling industry.

The current mindset among many Black Americans especially educated ones is (1) to be hired and work within mainstream (White) industries and (2) to establish relationships with mainstream organizations to develop single business entities that are Black-owned or controlled. In short, Blacks want to assimilate into the mainstream. It is very normal for minority groups to assimilate into the larger societies of which they are apart. For Blacks, it is even practical given our recent history (e.g., Black slavery and dependency on non-Blacks). Regretfully, our collective mindset has not been to develop industries that are organized, standardized, and widespread among Black organizations and Black professionals for the purpose of economic benefits. There are currently no or very few efforts to establish said industries. Read more...

What is industry? Industry is organized, standardized, widespread economic activity that provides these benefits to society: income, higher standards of living, education and training, health care, retirement benefits, arts and culture, leadership, advocacy, policy formation, foundations, think tanks, associations, innovation, and scientific research to name a few. Industry also builds relationships among people and strengthens families and communities. Lack of industry has been scientifically linked to many human ills. Should Blacks do more to develop and participate in industries of all types? We say, yes. It should be our utmost priority. 

If you believe as we do, we welcome you to work cooperatively with us to advance opportunities within Black society and to ensure its continued prosperity. Read more about the "Tank".