Black In Business

I came accross a post by David McQueen  regarding a study about schools in the UK. It was pointed Afro- Caribbean boys experience difficulity with institutionalized racism and as a result are expelled from school at a high rate. This blog is timely because I had planned to blog about this same subject in the US.

In the states we have more blacks finishing college, earning law, business and medical degrees, owning businesses and moving up the economic ladder, than at any time in history.Yet troulbling Issues give cause for concern. These issues dipict a different future for young at risk black males:

Only 41% of low income African American males grauate from high school.

69% of African American fourth graders cannot read at grade level compared to 29% of their white counterparts.

One in three African men between the ages of 20 and 29 are in jail, prision or on parole.

Between the ages of 10 and 14, African American boys slightly outnumber African american girls. But within just a few short years, the population of African American boys declines at a staggering and sobering rate.

ComEd the giant energy company in Chicago is stepping forward to help the United Way and concerned citizens via a 2 for 1 match of inititative contributions of 1000 dollars or more. This program has targeted  Chicago neighborhoods to help at risk African American males ages 10-16 make a healthy and successful transition from childhood to young adulthood.

The goal are as follows; youth understand the value of staying in school and are on track to gradulation, youth develope a positive understanding od employment expectations, opportunties and possibilities, youth understand and assume healthy family and social roles that help them become postive, productive young adults.

Congratulations to ComEd and the United Way and taking a lead to help fix a problem. To find out more, contact CJ Jones, United Way Director of Outreach and Diversity at 312-906-2302