Black MBA - Fall 2008 - (Page 18)

UP FRONT COMPREHENSIVE BLACK AMERICA STUDY RELEASED SEVENTY PERCENT OF African Americans have a plan for their future, according to a recent study co-conducted by Radio One Inc., an African American-centered radio broadcasting company, and the Chapel Hill-based research firm Yankelovich. The study, one of t he most i nclusive of its kind, encompassed 3,400 African Americans between the ages of 13 and 74. Among the study’s findings were split perspectives on the future; 54 percent of participants were optimistic about their future, while 60 percent agreed that “things are getting better for me.” Those surveyed were also evenly divided on what they prefer to be called; 42 percent – those falling in a wealthier bracket – like “Black” and 44 percent like “African American.” Part of the survey’s approach was separating respondents into age categories. Participants fell into 11 groups, including Black Onliners, Digital Networkers and Connected Black Teens for the youth and Faith Fulfills, Broadcast Blacks and Boomer Blacks for older ages. Of the twenty-something Digital Networkers, 45 percent are saving for retirement now. Of the Connected Black Teens, 25 percent are saving to start their own business. Other insightful survey findings include: • Of those 18 and older, 34 percent have gone through some college or have a two-year degree, and 21 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Forty percent claim an annual income of less than $25,000 – 20 percent of these are retired – and one-third make more than $50,000. • In terms of online activity, 68 percent of participants are frequently online, with two-thirds shopping online. More than 90 percent of African-American teenagers are online, though this number is lower in the South. • Thirty-three percent say they often feel stressed, and that money is the main reason (53 percent), along with raising children (49 percent) and health (40 percent). While eight in 10 pay their bills every month, only three in 10 consider themselves financially secure. • Of those surveyed, 83 percent have health insurance, but only 24 percent trust the healthcare system. Only 8 percent trust credit card companies, with 50 percent claiming banks do not understand their needs and 74 percent wanting to become better educated about investing. • Twelve to 16 percent trust the police, government and mainstream media. African Americans trust the education system and Black media to treat them more fairly than any other U.S. institutions. • Of the 84 percent of homes with cable TV, 81 percent of individuals watch Black media channels each week. Eighty-seven percent listen to the radio weekly, 64 percent watch news or read news magazines and 50 percent watch courtroom-based shows. Ranked lower is sports channels (41 percent). • When asked about mainstream media, only 29 percent think African Americans are portrayed favorably, while 50 percent like how they are portrayed in Black media. Two-thirds agree that more African American-centered TV shows should exist. –www.blackamericastudy.com NAACP CHOOSES YOUNGEST PRESIDENT IN ITS HISTORY On Sept. 1, Benjamin Jealous, a lifetime activist and former news executive, takes over as the 17th president of the NAACP. The 35-year-old Jealous, the youngest president in the organization’s 99-year history, will replace Bruce Gordon, who served as NAACP president for a short 19 months. Gordon attributed clashes with the organization’s management to his departure in March 2007. Until presently, Dennis Courtland Hayes was serving as interim president. The Board of Directors, comprised of 64 members, made its decision regarding Jealous during an eight-hour meeting. First on Jealous’ agenda for the future of NAACP is increasing membership; he plans to grow the organization’s online presence and activity and restructure its national office to better connect with local branches. Other plans include compiling a database of hate crimes and racial discrimination, motivating African Americans to vote in the November election and boosting NAACP’s involvement in civil rights politics. –www.naacp.org 18 BlackMBA • Fall 2008 • www.nbmbaa.org http://www.blackamericastudy.com http://www.naacp.org http://www.nbmbaa.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Black MBA - Fall 2008

Black MBA - Fall 2008 Contents Online From the Chairman From the President & CEO Up Front Who is Middle Class? Life and Times of the Middle Class Modern Times CEO to CEO: Why Didn’t I Think of That? Pass it Forward 30 Years of Conference NBMBAA Board of Directors Honorary Co-Chairs Conference History Speaker Showcase Industry Theatre NBMBAA Case Competition® Scholarship Winners NBMBAA Chapter Presidents Conference 2009: New Orleans The New Face of Recruitment Part-Time is the Right Time Across the Pond On Campus Board Bound MBAs for the USA Market Reality: Good Tapping Company Resources On the Move Employer Profiles Leading Bias-Free Mentoring Matters Faith in Corporate Circles Mideast Region Steps Up its Game Collegiate Chapters All in the Family How to… International Markets Are You Happy? Survive and Thrive Striking a Balance Advertiser Index In Focus

Black MBA - Fall 2008

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