READERS' CHOICE BEST CITIES For African Americans.The results are in. Here are YOUR top picks for blacks to live, work, and play. ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT RELOCATING? IF SO, we suggest you stay put until you review our top Cities(*) for African Americans African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. . Regardless of which factors you value most--employment opportunities, a reasonable cost of living, entrepreneurial assistance, accessible transportation, or cultural offerings--you're sure to find a place that meets your needs or at least piques your curiosity. Consider these interesting facts about our top picks: * Seven out of 10 have a black mayor. * Half are located on the East Coast. * All have a black population of at least 25%. * Survey respondents were generally satisfied or very satisfied with their earnings potential and the overall cost of living in their locations. * Survey respondents were generally dissatisfied with the quality of their public schools, the availability of daycare facilities, and the relationship between the police and African Americans. Now you may be wondering how we culled our top picks, particularly since the usual suspects, New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. and Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , didn't make the cut. We placed an interactive "readers' choice" survey on our Website (www.blackenterprise.com). Over a nine week period, between January 16 and March 23, 2001, more than 4,000 surfers responded. Participants were asked to evaluate their cities based on their level of satisfaction with 21 quality-of-life factors. Responses ranged from 1 (very dissatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied), with 3 being neutral. Next, the cumulative totals for each quality-of-life factor was divided by the number of respondents who rated that issue, resulting in a mean rating ranging from 1 to 5. For each city, these mean rating scores were totaled, with the sum being that city's final total rating score. Although 105 would be considered a perfect score (meaning a city received a "5" for each of the 21 questions), the scores for the top cities range from 70.58 to 59.54. All cities evaluated were then ranked according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. their final scores. For statistical stability, only those cities with at least 50 respondents were included on our final list. Those with the 10 highest final total rating scores comprise our "Readers' Choice: 10 Best Cities for African Americans." But our analysis didn't stop there. We also assessed the driving forces behind some of the respondents' answers by looking at the primary reasons respondents live in their present home cities. Four factors rose to the top: (1) income earnings potential, (2) cost of living, (3) proximity to employer, and (4) cost of housing. Each city profile highlights these and other important issues for anyone contemplating relocation. You'll also notice that we compared respondents' impressions with the facts by looking at actual city demographic and socioeconomic data. This information is critical because it reveals whether black people's perceptions of urban quality-of-life in these cities match statistical evidence. In cases where the data did not match reader perceptions, the city still remained on our top 10 list because the selection process was based on respondents' perceptions. The locales featured here, listed in inverse order Inverse order In the context of periodic repayment schedules, beginning from the end, expected maturity. Opposite of current order. , were evaluated by the people who know them best--you! (*) For the purposes of this story, "cities" are U.S. Census Bureau-defined urbanized areas which consist of a central city of at least 50,000 residents, and a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile of land area. 10 PHILADELPHIA THE "CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE Noun 1. brotherly love - a kindly and lenient attitude toward people charity benevolence - an inclination to do kind or charitable acts supernatural virtue, theological virtue - according to Christian ethics: one of the three virtues (faith, hope, and " TAKES 10TH PLACE. Philadelphia's total population is a little more than 1.5 million and is 43.2% African American. Black household earnings average $28,858 per year, with a 16.1% pocketing more than $50,000. The mean score for satisfaction with earnings potential suggests a general sense of contentment Contentment Aglaos poor peasant said by the Delphic oracle to be happier than the king because he was contented. [Gk. Myth.: Benét, 15] . Even with a nearly 12% black unemployment rate and single-digit future job growth projection, Philadelphians expressed optimism about their employment prospects. Interestingly, Philadelphians are simultaneously neutral about potential entrepreneurial opportunities and dissatisfied with the numbers of black-owned businesses. Philadelphia has more than 650,000 black residents and 9,285 black businesses. That amounts to 71 residents for every black business. Despite the low representation, there are five BE 100s corporations based in Philadelphia. Economically speaking, the city has a cost of living index that is significantly above average. Housing prices are relatively moderate at $131,000 for a three-bedroom home. Black residents indicate they are only somewhat satisfied with these factors. Survey results also reveal moderate disappointment with Philadelphia's financial institutions. It's no wonder: the black/white home mortgage loan rejection ratio is a whopping 3.2-to-1. In addition, the residential segregation index is relatively high, indicating little integration of neighborhoods. On the upside Upside The potential dollar amount by which the market or a stock could rise. Notes: This is basically an educated guess on how high a stock could go in the near future. See also: Bull, Downside , 55.5% of Philadelphia's black residents are home owners home owner home n → propriétaire occupant , the highest percentage among the top 10 cites. The city spent $7,250 per pupil, the highest among the top 10, but this is generally not seen as a good investment, per the low mean score for public school quality. Not only are residents unhappy with their children's schools, but they are also not pleased about the availability of daycare. Police relations and public safety also posted low marks from respondents. Surprisingly, Philadelphia's property crime rate ranks lowest among the top 10 cities and violent crimes are second lowest. Survey results for Philadelphia raise numerous questions about people's perceptions of their quality of life versus what real data indicate. For example, despite socioeconomic disparity, respondents are generally satisfied with African Americans' level of power and influence and only slightly dissatisfied with the performance of their elected officials. But who can argue with them? Enough Philadelphians chimed in to proclaim pro·claim tr.v. pro·claimed, pro·claim·ing, pro·claims 1. To announce officially and publicly; declare. See Synonyms at announce. 2. there's more to their city than tasty cheese steak. For more information on Philadelphia, go to the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce's Website (www.gpcc.com). Encore, encore Jeanne Bonner, a native of Philadelphia, has lived in many cities throughout the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and the Caribbean. Although other locales had a more favorable fa·vor·a·ble adj. 1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds. 2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis. 3. climate, she was drawn back to her hometown home·town n. The town or city of one's birth, rearing, or main residence. Noun 1. hometown - the town (or city) where you grew up or where you have your principal residence; "he never went back to his hometown again" . Philadelphia has a wealth of offerings for African Americans that outrank out·rank tr.v. out·ranked, out·rank·ing, out·ranks To rank higher than. outrank Verb to be of higher rank than (someone) Verb 1. other cities, according to Bonner. For example, she's found that Philadelphia's transportation system (SEPTA) is much better than systems in other cities, such as San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. and Los Angeles, "You don't need a car here; you can rely on public transportation. It's just high as heck," she cautions. But generally she finds the city affordable compared to other major hubs, and believes African Americans have a significant amount of political clout. Job opportunities are plentiful in Philadelphia, but Bonnet bonnet usually worn along with new clothes on Easter Sunday. (“Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet.”) [Christian Tradition: Misc.; Am. Music: Irving Berlin, “Easter Parade”] See : Easter complains that firms don't offer blacks competitive salaries. "I've seen companies that want to start me with $18,000 as a billing specialist," the 43-year-old woman states. "My 25-year-old daughter gets paid more than that." Still, she invites other African Americans to check out Philadelphia on their own terms, because even with room for improvement, there's much to experience in this city. PHILADELPHIA AT A GLANCE Black Landmarks The African American Museum in Philadelphia The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) opened in 1976 in celebration of the Bicentennial of the United States. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it was the first major museum in the country devoted specifically to African American history and traditions. All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors SAILORS. Seamen, mariners. Vide Mariners; Seamen; Shipping Articles. Black Annual Event African American Heritage Festival Philadelphia Greek Picnic
The Greek Picnic is an annual week-long event during the month of July in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Black History Fact Bethel Bethel, in the Bible Bethel (bĕth`əl) [Heb.,=house of God]. 1 Ancient city of central Palestine, the modern Baytin, the West Bank, N of Jerusalem. AME See AIT. Church established in 1794 B.E. 100s Company PRWT Top Black Official John Street, mayor January/July Mean Temp (F [degrees]) 30/77 Black Websites www.phila-tribune.com http://users.ntr.net/~reddin 9 CHICAGO THE WINDY CITY, NESTLED nes·tle v. nes·tled, nes·tling, nes·tles v.intr. 1. To settle snugly and comfortably: The cat nestled among the pillows. 2. ALONG THE SOUTH SHORE of Lake Michigan, blew into ninth place. Once a major center for the cattle industry, Chicago is now a bustling bus·tle 1 intr. & tr.v. bus·tled, bus·tling, bus·tles To move or cause to move energetically and busily. n. Excited and often noisy activity; a stir. global financial center boasting a population of nearly 3 million. In 1779, Jean Baptiste Jean Baptiste is a male French name, originating with St. John the Baptist, and may refer to one of the following:
River, northeastern Illinois, U.S. A small river, consisting of a northern and a southern branch, it originally flowed through Chicago into Lake Michigan. just east of where the Michican Avenue Bridge now stands. Today, 1,065,009 African Americans live in the city. They earn, on average, $31,708 per household annually, with 18.2% bringing home more than $50,000. Based on survey results, residents are generally satisfied with their earnings. They appear less than satisfied with the cost of living and housing. Chicago's cost of living index is above the national average. The price tag on tag on Verb to add at the end of something: a throwaway remark, tagged on at the end of a casual conversation Verb 1. a typical three-bedroom house is $170,200, the second highest among the top 10. In addition, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is also second to the highest at $750. Only 37.1% of blacks are home owners, last place among the top 10 cities. The black/white home mortgage loan rejection ratio indicates that blacks are at a severe disadvantage, and this may contribute to Chicago's high residential segregation index. Oddly, respondents appear only moderately dissatisfied with the performance of Chicago financial institutions and are somewhat unhappy with race relations race relations Noun, pl the relations between members of two or more races within a single community race relations npl → relaciones fpl raciales . The region suffers from a relatively high violent crime rate. Expectedly, residents are generally dissatisfied with the city's high incidence of offenses. At the same time, residents also expressed their disapproval of law enforcement. The trend toward general dissatisfaction continued as related to the performance of elected officials and the degree of African Americans' power and influence. On the brighter side, Chi-Town was home to 23,576 black-owned businesses, with almost $2.5 billion in annual sales in 1997. The mean score for entrepreneurial opportunities is relatively high. Job market predictions appear steady, with future job growth estimated at 11.1%. The federal government provides stability as the largest employer. The largest private employers are Jewel-Osco, Advocate Healthcare, United Airlines, and Motorola; all four have increased their hiring over the past two years, with United leading the way with 30.7% in growth. Based on survey results, respondents seem pleased with the plentiful restaurants, museums, and spectator sports that they can enjoy when they aren't at work. For more information, go to Chicago's business Website (www .chicagobusiness.com). Weathering the storm It's no secret that the bitter cold is at its best during a winter in Chicago. And while Doreen Hopkins admits that the brisk temperatures are something to consider, the city is the land of opportunity and should be on any African American's hit list, "We're a very visible force in Chicago," insists the 23-year-old college senior, pointing out the long list of black-oriented cultural and political events. "In [areas] where there are a majority of African Americans there is usually an African American alderman ALDERMAN. An officer, generally appointed or elected in towns corporate, or cities, possessing various powers in different places. 2. The aldermen of the cities of Pennsylvania, possess all the powers and jurisdictions civil and criminal of justices of the . That's the first liaison between the people and the political structure of the city, So we're represented here if not anywhere else, if we take advantage of it." Hopkins is also proud of the city's transportation system "Public transportation is wonderful in Chicago. There are subways and [elevated or Loop] trains that touch every point of the city. Our bus system is huge and there are commuter train lines, too." Despite the extensive transportation system, the city still seems pretty segregated, and ethnic groups stay amongst themselves. "The South and West sides are African American areas," she describes. "There's a Jewish town, China town, as well as areas for the Latinos, the Polish, and the Irish. Everyone is represented, but historically they've [settled] in particular areas." In reference to crime statistics, Hopkins believes the numbers are skewed skewed curve of a usually unimodal distribution with one tail drawn out more than the other and the median will lie above or below the mean. skewed Epidemiology adjective Referring to an asymmetrical distribution of a population or of data . "There are areas where particular crimes go unnoticed or untamed because as long as the crime remains in that neighborhood, it's OK. I don't want to accept the crime statistics as absolute. I don't ever remember not being safe." CHICAGO AT A GLANCE Black Landmarks Du Sable Museum of African American History African American history is the portion of American history that specifically discusses the African American or Black American ethnic group in the United States. Most African Americans are the descendants of African slaves held in the United States from 1619 to 1865. and Victory Monument Victory Monument may refer to the following structures:
Black Annual Event Annual Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic The Bud Billiken® Parade and Picnic is an annual parade in Chicago, Illinois, and the largest African American parade in the United States. Since 1929, it has always been held on the second Saturday in August.[] The idea for the parade came from Robert S. Black History Fact First settled by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, an African American from Haiti B.E. 100s Company Johnson Publishing The Johnson Publishing Company is an American publishing company owned and managed by the family of John H. Johnson. It is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Snubbed by advertisers when he founded his company in November 1942, John H. Co. Inc. Top Black Official Jesse Jackson Noun 1. Jesse Jackson - United States civil rights leader who led a national campaign against racial discrimination and ran for presidential nomination (born in 1941) Jesse Louis Jackson, Jackson Jr., U.S. Representative January/July Mean Temp(F [degrees]) 25/75 Black Websites www.blackchicago.com www.tourblackchicago.com 8 DALLAS DALLAS TAKES EIGHT PALCE ON THIS EXCLUSIVE LIST. THE city is home to 1,188,580 CITIZENS. The 307,957 black residents are 25.9% of the total population. The average black household earns $25,757, third lowest of the top cities. The average household income is $42,209, giving Dallas the widest racial income gap among the top 10 cities. The region beats out only Charlotte and Memphis in the percentage of black households with incomes exceeding $50,000 annually, 12.1%. Going against what are presumably pre·sum·a·ble adj. That can be presumed or taken for granted; reasonable as a supposition: presumable causes of the disaster. gloomy figures, respondents' mean score for earnings potential reflects general satisfaction. Perhaps the survey numbers are driven by residents' relatively inexpensive lifestyles. Dallas' cost of living index is higher than the national average. A typical three-bedroom home lists at $126,000, making the housing market third in affordability behind Houston and Memphis. Indeed, the area scored solid marks from respondents regarding the cost of living and housing. On the downside On the Downside is an EP by the San Diego, California band Counterfit, released by Alphabet Records in 2000. It was the band's first EP, recorded shortly after the members had relocated to San Diego from Fairfield County, Connecticut. , 37.9% of African American Dallas residents own homes; that's the second lowest figure behind Chicago. Dallas landed in the better half among the top 10 in the violent crime rate category. According to the Dallas Police Department The Dallas Police Department, established in 1881, is the principal law enforcement agency serving Dallas, Texas. The department is responsible for law enforcement and investigations within the city. , overall crime has dropped 36% since 1990. The homicide homicide (hŏm`əsīd), in law, the taking of human life. Homicides that are neither justifiable nor excusable are considered crimes. A criminal homicide committed with malice is known as murder, otherwise it is called manslaughter. rate is also on the decline. In spite of the fact that the city appears to be getting safer, residents expressed dissatisfaction in this area. Survey participants were also dismayed by the relationship between African Americans and the police. Negative feelings about public school quality is also evident in the significantly low mean score for this category. At $4,815, Dallas' per pupil expenditure is in the low range among the top 10 cities, and the pupil/teacher ratio of 14.5:1 is lowest among the top 10. Still, black parents appear generally unhappy about their children's educational environment. Further, daycare center availability, or the lack thereof, is also a sticking point sticking point n. A point, issue, or situation that causes or is likely to cause an impasse. Noun 1. sticking point - a point at which an impasse arises in progress toward an agreement or a goal for respondents. Ron Kirk Ronald "Ron" Kirk (born June 27, 1954) was the first African American mayor of Dallas, Texas; he also ran for the United States Senate in 2002. Born in Austin, Texas, Ron Kirk attended Austin College and The University of Texas School of Law. , Dallas' first black mayor, appears to have his work cut out for him if he is going to improve the relatively low satisfaction level for elected officials' performance. So far, Kirk has been most successful in the area Of economic development, according to figures on his Website (www.ronkirk.com). On a positive note, survey responses reveal satisfaction with driving times and healthcare affordability. Being home to Bishop T.D. Jakes' Potter's House and other large religious enterprises, Dallas performs up to respondents' expectations in the church outreach category. For more information on Dallas, go to the Greater Dallas Chamber's Website (www.dallaschamber.org). Sticking out Adj. 1. sticking out - extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary; "the jutting limb of a tree"; "massive projected buttresses"; "his protruding ribs"; "a pile of boards sticking over the end of his truck" like a sore thumb For some parents, sending their kids off to college means cutting the apron apron, n a piece of clothing worn in front of the body for protection. apron band, n a labioincisal or gingival extension of an orthodontic band that aids in retention of the band and in proper positioning of the bracket. strings, but not for 43-year-old Dee Dee Gibson-Moreland. She moved from Los Angeles to Dallas to be closer to her son when he entered Grambling University. Her feelings about the move are mixed. On the one hand, she finds that the city has a long way to go in race relations, cultural offerings, and transportation. But these limitations also spell opportunity, and have allowed her to shine as the only African, American producer/writer at Dallas Community Television, "I'm the Oprah at my Station," she beams. Gibson-Moreland says that she and her husband, Webster, whom she met in Dallas, meet very few entrepreneurs. "The few in business are either way up there or very small," she explains. Yet, there are also a lot of, start-up programs available for prospective entrepreneurs. Overall, I believe Dallas is going to be a great place for African Americans. There are a lot of opportunities, if they would just reach out for them.... The city is good for me because I stick out like a sore thumb and have no competition. I'm in the perfect place for my career." DALLAS AT-A-GLANCE Black Landmarks Dallas African American Museum Paul Quinn College Paul Quinn College is the oldest African-American liberal arts college in Texas. It was founded in 1872 in Austin, Texas, and was named after William Paul Quinn (1788-1873), the fourth bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The College is affiliated with the AME church. Black Annual Event Dallas Black Dance Theatre Seasonal Performances Black History Fact Home of Freedmen's Cemetery. a pre-Civil War burial site Top Black Official Ronald Kirk, Mayor January/July Mean Temp(F [degrees]) 45/86 Black Websites www.dallasblack.com www.eclipsefw.com 7 BALTIMORE BALTIMORE, SITUATED ON THE WESTERN SHORE OF THE Chesapeake Bay Chesapeake Bay, inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, c.200 mi (320 km) long, from 3 to 30 mi (4.8–48 km) wide, and 3,237 sq mi (8,384 sq km), separating the Delmarva Peninsula from mainland Maryland. and Virginia. , sailed into seventh place. The city, with 651,154 residents, is 64.3% African American. Survey results indicate that Baltimoreans are generally content with their earnings potential, cost of living, and housing prices. Income figures for blacks are middle. Black households average $29,944 in income annually, with 17% earning more $50,000. Also, Baltimore's cost of living average (97.0), is slightly below the national average (100), and the average price of a three-bedroom at $126,800. In terms of black-owned businesses, numbers declined slightly between 1992 and 1997. However, reported sales more than tripled, as did the number of paid employees. With future job growth on an upward trend, confidence in the Baltimore area employment market is good. And based on survey results, respondents aren't disillusioned dis·il·lu·sion tr.v. dis·il·lu·sioned, dis·il·lu·sion·ing, dis·il·lu·sions To free or deprive of illusion. n. 1. The act of disenchanting. 2. The condition or fact of being disenchanted. by double-digit black unemployment figures. After more than a decade of black Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke's leadership, Baltimore recently elected white Democrat Martin O'Malley
tr.v. em·broiled, em·broil·ing, em·broils 1. To involve in argument, contention, or hostile actions: "Avoid . . . in controversy over the past year, with the reprimand REPRIMAND, punishment. The censure which in some cases a public office pronounces against an offender. 2. This species of punishment is used by legislative bodies to punish their members or others who have been guilty of some impropriety of conduct towards them. and resignation of high-ranking officials. Survey results indicate that residents are slightly dissatisfied with the performance of their elected representatives. O'Malley's "zero tolerance The policy of applying laws or penalties to even minor infringements of a code in order to reinforce its overall importance and enhance deterrence. Since the 1980s the phrase zero tolerance has signified a philosophy toward illegal conduct that favors strict imposition of " approach in response to Baltimore's high violent crime rate is modeled after that of the New York City Police Department (NYPD NYPD New York City Police Department (since 1845; New York City, NY, USA) NYPD New York Play Development ), which is currently under fire for several racial profiling The consideration of race, ethnicity, or national origin by an officer of the law in deciding when and how to intervene in an enforcement capacity. Police officers often profile certain types of individuals who are more likely to perpetrate crimes. and brutality incidents. Not surprisingly, Baltimore's showing for black-police relations and crime is low. With nearly half of its public schools recently being threatened with state takeover for failing to meet performance standards, Baltimore's low rating in this area seems fitting. Failing schools and rising crime are likely factors contributing to Baltimore's loss of more than 140,000 residents between 1987 and 1999. On the upside, Baltimore's Inner Harbor The Inner Harbor is a historic seaport, tourist attraction, and iconic landmark of the City of Baltimore, Maryland. The harbor itself is actually the end of the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco River and includes any water west of a line drawn between the National Aquarium in has long been a model for inner-city redevelopment. The bustling downtown area boasts dozens of fine seafood restaurants, nightclubs, and two new sports stadiums in what was once a forgotten, decaying urban core. The blocks surrounding the Inner Harbor house numerous musical venues, theaters, and the "Great Blacks in Wax Museum The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is a wax museum in Baltimore, Maryland featuring prominent African-American historical figures. It was established in 1983. About ," the first museum of its kind. As a result, respondents are generally satisfied with their access to cultural and recreational activities. For more information on Baltimore, visit the city's official Website (www.ci.baltimore.md.us). Mixing it up The social scene for singles can be a challenge in Baltimore, says 36-year-old Etolia Bigas. But she doesn't think it's any more complicated mingling in her city than anywhere else. We have concept plays, the theater, the Great Blacks in Wax Museum, and other things. There are places to go and people to see, but it's still difficult meeting males.... I think it's just a sign of the times A Sign of the Times was a 1966 single by Petula Clark. Written by Tony Hatch, the uptempo pop number juxtaposed Clark's driving vocals with a powerful brass section. She introduced the tune on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 27, 1966. ," she concludes. Still, Biggs says Baltimore has some benefits that can't be beat. Take its location, for example. Baltimore is close to Washington, D.C. New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , and Philadelphia, and this allows Biggs and her neighbors to enjoy the benefits of the higher salaries paid in bigger cities, but they save on the rent by living in the less-expensive Baltimore. In addition, Baltimore residents get to experience the four seasons without the extreme winter weather that hits more northern metros. Adds Biggs, "If I were to describe Baltimore? I'd say it has a little city and a little country. I love the Southern flair, and I like it overall." BALTIMORE AT A GLANCE Black Landmarks The Great Blacks in Wax Museum NAACP NAACP in full National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Oldest and largest U.S. civil rights organization. It was founded in 1909 to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality for African Americans; W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Headquarters Black Annual Event AFRAM Festival Black History Fact Birthplace birth·place n. The place where someone is born or where something originates. birthplace Noun the place where someone was born or where something originated Noun 1. of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall For people and institutions etc. named after Thurgood Marshall, see . Thurgood Marshall (July 2, 1908 – January 24, 1993) was an American jurist and the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. and Musician James Herbert
James Herbert (born 8 April, 1943, London) is a best selling English horror writer known for his simple yet compelling "Eubie" Blake B.E. 100s company Health Resources Inc. Top Black Official Sheila Dixon/president, Baltimore City Council The Baltimore City Council is the legislative branch that governs the City of Baltimore and its nearly 700,000 citizens. Baltimore has fourteen single-member City Council districts and representatives are elected for a four-year term. January/July Mean temp (F [degrees]) 35-80 Black Website www.btimes.com 6 DETROIT PULLING INTO SIX PLACE IS DETROIT, WITH 775,772 AFRICAN American resident out of a total population of 951,270. The city is headquarters for a number of Fortune 500 companies, including Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., and Kmart Corp. In addition, 14 BE 100s companies are based in Detroit. Respondents expressed overall satisfaction with black employment opportunities. However, respondents' views do not reflects reality. The city recently experienced negative job growth and expects future job growth of only 9.2%. The black unemployment rate is just over 8%, compared with 4.5% for the metropolitan statistical area.(*) Detroiters appear very satisfied with their earnings potential, cost of living, and housing costs. The average annual income for African American households is $27,892, with a little more than 16% earning more than $50,000. Detroit's cost of living index is only five points above the national average. And residents can purchase a three-bedroom home for an average price of $140,600, which is a little high when compared to other top cities. Just under 50% of black residents own their homes. Accordingly, the city posted the lowest black/white home mortgage loan rejection ratio among the top 10, illustrating that African Americans who desire a mortgage fare much better here than in the other top cities. However, the residential segregation index is second highest at 1.853, so you're not likely to find diversified neighborhoods in Detroit. The mass transit mass transit, public transportation systems designed to move large numbers of passengers. Types and Advantages Mass transit refers to municipal or regional public shared transportation, such as buses, streetcars, and ferries, open to all on a availability index is 10.3, low for a region of its size. So it's not surprising that respondents were very dissatisfied with public transportation. Still, respondents were somewhat satisfied with the time they spent commuting to work, an average of 23 minutes. On issues relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc children, respondents expressed discontent with the quality of public schools and the availability of daycare. They also seem generally displeased dis·please v. dis·pleased, dis·pleas·ing, dis·pleas·es v.tr. To cause annoyance or vexation to. v.intr. To cause annoyance or displeasure. with law enforcement and the crime rate. So it should come as no surprise that folks are not happy with the performances of their local elected officials. For more information on Detroit, go to the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's Website (www.detroit Chamber.com). Reigning in Detroit Marcus Harris Marcus Harris attended and played football for the University of Wyoming from 1993-1996. He won the Fred Biletnikoff Award in 1996 as the top wide receiver in the nation. He is currently the only Biletnikoff award winner to never have played in an NFL game. says, "Detroit is clearly the best city for African Americans today due to the power, influence, and control they have in the city from a business, political, social standpoint." The 24-year-old has what he considers to be a long list of evidence to support his claim. Aside from the overwhelming large African American population (61.4%), he says blacks do well in His hometown because "the city is virtually run by African Americans, So it's very favorable for you to set up shop here." According to Harris, members of the American business community are close-knit and supportive. He says he got his own position as an information technology analyst at General Motors as a result of a personal referral. And business booms for black entrepreneurs as well. "Everywhere where you go, there are black-owned stores and restaurants such as Ja-da, Steve's Soul Food? and East Franklin's. There are definitely opportunities here just because of the large base of African American residents." On the cultural front, Hams says that annual summer events such as the Ribs-N-Soul Festival, Praise Fest, Afro-American Music Festival, and African World are great. But he also looks forward to the city's newer developments, such as the Detroit Lion's domed Ford Field. "The city has also built three casinos, which is creating a vibrant entertainment district," he points out. And Harris says folks shouldn't miss the celebrations that will be held in honor of the city's 300th birthday this summer, just another that proves Detroit is the best place for blacks to live and do business, DETROIT AT A GLANCE Black Landmarks The Motown Historical Museum Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is located in the Cultural Center of the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1965, it holds the world's largest permanent exhibit on African American culture. Black Annual Event African World Festival Black History Fact W.D. Fard founded the Nation of Islam Nation of Islam: see Black Muslims. Nation of Islam or Black Muslims African American religious movement that mingles elements of Islam and black nationalism. It was founded in 1931 by Wallace D. in 1930 B.E. 100s Companies The Bing Group Barden Companies Inc. Mel Farr Melvin Farr (born November 3, 1944 in Beaumont, Texas) is a former American football player. As a youth, Farr played football, baseball, track and basketball. He earned a chance to play football for UCLA, and was an All-American at the school from 1963 to 1967. Automotive Group Top Black Official Dennis Archer
Dennis Wayne Archer (born January 1, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former president of the American Bar Association and former Mayor of Detroit. , mayor January/July Mean Temp (F) 25/74 Black Websites www.aacofc.org www.infodetroit.com (*) A metropolitan statistical area (MSA (Metropolitan Service Area) An urban area with at least 50,000 people plus surrounding counties. There are 306 MSAs and 428 RSAs (rural service areas) in the U.S. MSAs and RSAs are used to allocate cellular licenses. ) is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau Noun 1. Census Bureau - the bureau of the Commerce Department responsible for taking the census; provides demographic information and analyses about the population of the United States Bureau of the Census as a core Urbanized Area and its surrounding urbanized counties with a total population of at least 100,000 or more inhabitants
The game is based loosely on the concepts from SameGame. . Analysis of Census data reveals that in many MSAs, large proportions of African Americans live outside of central cities. 5 MEMPHIS HOME TO FEDERAL EXPRESS' WORLD HUB (29,500 EMPLOYEES), the "Bluff City" is emerging as an attractive community for progressive African Americans. Of Memphis' 650,100 residents, 61.4% are black. Respondents seem relatively satisfied with African American power and influence and church outreach categories, indicating that there is both strength and cohesiveness in number. Respondents also weighted in favorably fa·vor·a·ble adj. 1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds. 2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis. 3. on the issue of new home prices. It seems Memphis' low average household income overall, $35,139, is offset by a very affordable housing market and a rock-bottom cost of living index. The low average cost of a three-bedroom home, $114,600, may explain why nearly half of the blacks in Memphis are home owners. Ironically, Memphians appear to be dissatisfied with the job market. However, recent and future job growth rates Growth Rates The compounded annualized rate of growth of a company's revenues, earnings, dividends, or other figures. Notes: Remember, historically high growth rates don't always mean a high rate of growth looking into the future. are both solid, at 2.3% annually and 19.2% over 10 years, respectively. Also, the number of paid employees at black-owned businesses more than tripled between 1992 and 1997. In addition, the overall and black unemployment rates are relatively low at 4.4% and 6.8 respectively. Despite the growing number of career opportunities in the city, residents' perceptions about employment are negative. On the other hand, the low satisfaction scores for the city's crime, which beat Baltimore's and Chicago's, are justifiable jus·ti·fi·a·ble adj. Having sufficient grounds for justification; possible to justify: justifiable resentment. jus . Both violent and property crime rates are the highest on our list, at 1,159.2 and 5,928.2, per 100,000 respectively. This may have contributed to the low marks that the police and elected officials also received. The educational system is another area of dissatisfaction among residents. Despite Mayor Willie W. Herenton's strong background in education--he holds a Ph.D. and was the Memphis school superintendent Noun 1. school superintendent - the superintendent of a school system overseer, superintendent - a person who directs and manages an organization for 12 years--Memphis public schools just aren't making the grade. The $4,280 spent per pupil is lowest of the top 10 cities and data from the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce reveal a significant achievement gap between central city and surrounding country schools. For example, the dropout (1) On magnetic media, a bit that has lost its strength due to a surface defect or recording malfunction. If the bit is in an audio or video file, it might be detected by the error correction circuitry and either corrected or not, but if not, it is often not noticed by the human rate for Memphis city schools Memphis City Schools is a school district located in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. MCS serves the entire city of Memphis. Some areas of unincorporated Shelby County are zoned to Memphis City Schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade. is 35.2%, yet it's less than 1% for the other schools in outlining Shelby Country. Although concerns surrounding the city's crime rate and educational deficits definitely need to be addressed, the overall outlook for folks in Memphis is very bright. The city's push to attract a Notional no·tion·al adj. 1. Of, containing, or being a notion; mental or imaginary. 2. Speculative or theoretical. 3. Basketball Association team, should it succeed, may spur a series of slam dunks for this growing Sun Belt metropolis. For further information on Memphis, Go to the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce's Website (www.memphischamber.com) Attitude is everything As a child, 26-year-old Sheri Neely spent her summer vacations Summer vacation (also called summer holidays or summer break) is a vacation in the summertime between school years in which students are off for 3 months, depending on the country and district. in Memphis, where she hung out with her family. She loved it but says, "I never thought I would live here. It just kind of happened." Her husband, Victor, a Memphis native, wanted to remain in his hometown, so Neely traded her Arkansas address for one in Tennessee. "Since I was always back and forth to Memphis, the transition wasn't bad at all," she says. In addition, Neely feels she's gotten a better deal." "Job opportunities are much better here than in Arkansas," she insist. But the account executive for SunCom Wireless has also hooked up with one of the city's free business-development programs. She's in the process of starting her own business, and the program assist prospective entrepreneurs with developing a business plan and a loan package. "It's called Inspiration, and it's going to be a combination restaurant-Christian club.... I think this is a good time to have something like this. We have so many young people that are Christian and they don't have a place like this to go to. It's an untapped market." Overall, Neely says that the career front. "No matter what field be beat, especially on the career front. "No matter what field you are in, the opportunity is here for you to jump in, start running with it, and be successful. With the right attitude, the sky is the limit here in Memphis, Tennesse." MEMPHIS AT A GLANCE Black Landmarks National Civil Rights Museum LeMoyne-Owen College History LeMoyne-Owen College was formed through the 1968 merger of LeMoyne College and Owen College, both private, historically black church-related colleges.[1] Black Annual Event Southern Heritage Football Classic Black History Fact Longtime long·time adj. Having existed or persisted for a long time: a longtime friend; a longtime resident of Detroit. longtime Adjective home of Ida B. Wells-Barnett Top Black Official Willie W. Herenton, mayor January/July Mean Temp (F [degrees]) 40/83 Black Websites www.blackmemphis.com www.bbamephis.org 4 CHARLOTTE THERE ARE ONLY ABOUT 177,000 AFRICAN AMERICANS LIVING in Charlotte, but they still made a strong showing in our survey. Located on the border the two Carolinas, the city is home to 540,828 people. Residents gave pretty rave reviews for their earnings potential in the city, even though the facts fail to support their sentiment. The overall and black average household incomes are the second lowest among the top 10, only surpassing Memphis'. The 10.9% of the city's black households earning more than $50,000 per year is also the lowest after Memphis. Perhaps their upbeat attitudes can be explained by Charlotte's low cost of living index and low medical cost index. Also, the future employment outlook is promising at a solid 18.7% growth rate. The fact that Charlotte's violent crime rate surpasses that of Philadelphia, Detroit, and Houston is somewhat surprising. Again, going against statistical data, respondents' ratings indicate that they are generally satisfied with their level of public safety. Feelings regarding race relations in the "Queen City" were neutral, and its residential segregation index is the best among the top 10, indicating that Charlotte neighborhoods are fairly mixed. Although Charlotte residents don't seem to have trouble getting along, they do have trouble getting around, as revealed by their dissatisfaction with public transportation. The mass transit availability index(*) of 3.9 is the lowest for the top 10 cities. Most likely, local public transportation facilities have not caught up with urban growth. Conversely con·verse 1 intr.v. con·versed, con·vers·ing, con·vers·es 1. To engage in a spoken exchange of thoughts, ideas, or feelings; talk. See Synonyms at speak. 2. , commuters are enjoying relatively brief trips to work (21.3 minutes), reflected in respondents' high level of satisfaction with drive times. Overall, Charlotte residents are doing very well, but survey results indicate that they may be mulling mulling (mul´ing), n the final step of mixing dental amalgam; a kneading of the triturated mass to complete the amalgamation. over concerns about the quality of their schools, the number of black-owned businesses, and the city's lack of social offerings. Still, a recent USA Today USA Today National U.S. daily general-interest newspaper, the first of its kind. Launched in 1982 by Allen Neuharth, head of the Gannett newspaper chain, it reached a circulation of one million within a year and surpassed two million in the 1990s. study ranked Charlotte the nation's second-fastest growing city. To see if Charlotte is for you, go to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce's Website (www.charlotte chamber.com). Making the black connection Although Richmond Baker, 30, was accustomed to hopping from city to city, he and his wife, Sharon, decided it was time to settle down in one location--at least for a little while. So they searched the Internet to find a place that was closer to their families, had a slower pace, and was friendly to black folks. "[Back then], we lived in a part of Colorado that didn't have any African American people.... I had to get out of there." Based on the research they compiled from the U.S. Census Bureau and ether ether, in chemistry ether, any of a number of organic compounds whose molecules contain two hydrocarbon groups joined by single bonds to an oxygen atom. sources, they narrowed down their choices to Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina “Charlotte” redirects here. For other uses, see Charlotte (disambiguation). Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina and the 20th largest city in the United States. . As a next step, Baker legged on to various Websites to zap A command that typically deletes the data within a file but leaves the file structure intact so that new data can be entered. See wipe. 1. (language) ZAP - A language for expressing program transformations. ["A System for Assisting Program Transformation", M.S. his resume to firms based in these locales. Microsoft took the bait and flew him to North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. for an interview. He got the job as a network engineer, and says he has no regrets because he loves the warm weather, low crime rate, cultural events, diversity in the schools and in the neighborhoods, as welt welt n. 1. A ridge or bump on the skin caused by a lash or blow or sometimes by an allergic reaction. 2. See wheal. as the upward mobility upward mobility n. The state of being upwardly mobile. upward mobility Noun movement from a lower to a higher economic and social status enjoyed by African Americans. "We were looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a place that had lots of opportunities and I'm happy with where I work because it's an outstanding company.... Here it's not an oddity odd·i·ty n. pl. odd·i·ties 1. One that is odd. 2. The state or quality of being odd; strangeness. oddity Noun pl -ties 1. if a black person is in a professional role." CHARLOTTE AT A GLANCE Black Landmark Beatties Ford Road Historic District Black Annual Event 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte Carolinas Football Classic Black History Event Johnson C. Smith University Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) is a private, co-ed, four-year liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina; it is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. JCSU is also a historically black college. , founded 1867 B.E. 100s Company American Product Distribution Inc. Top Black Official James Mitchell James Mitchell may be: Arts, entertainment, and sports:
January/July Mean Temp (F [degrees]) 39/79 Black Website www.thecharlottepost.com (*) MASS TRANSIT AVAILABILITY The extent of mass transit availability is an important measure of workforce mobility and overall transportation capacity. Measure: All urban public mass transit systems' carrying capacity carrying capacity the number of animal units that a farm or area will carry on a year round basis, including that needed for conservation of winter feed. Usually stated as dry cows or dry sheep equivalents per hectare. , in annual vehicle revenue capacity miles per capita [Latin, By the heads or polls.] A term used in the Descent and Distribution of the estate of one who dies without a will. It means to share and share alike according to the number of individuals. , 1998. 3 ATLANTA ATLANTA CAME AWAY WITH A RESPECTABLE THIRD-PLACE finish Noun 1. third-place finish - a finish in third place (as in a race) finish - designated event that concludes a contest (especially a race); "excitement grew as the finish neared"; "my horse was several lengths behind at the finish"; "the winner is the team with the . The city's total population is 416,474 of which more than 61% are African American. Atlanta, widely known as the "Black Mecca," had solid performances in several prime categories. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 159,830 black people moved to Atlanta Slang for a 404 error on the Web, which is a link to a missing page. The area code for Atlanta, Georgia is 404. See 404 error. between 1990 and 1996, more than moved to any other U.S. city. It should come as no surprise that Atlanta made high marks in reader satisfaction in the categories of culture rural activity availability, entrepreneurial prospects, and job opportunities. Atlanta's future job growth is a strong 23.2%, and the black unemployment rate, 5.5%, is the lowest among the 10 finalists. Atlanta earned the top satisfaction score in terms of black business ownership, and was one of only two top 10 cities where residents expressed general satisfaction about this issue. There are 33 residents for every one black business. For average black household income, Georgia's capital city is second to Baltimore at $28,838. Respondents' satisfaction with their earnings potential was third behind Washington, D.C., and Houston. Satisfaction with cost of living is also relatively positive. Respondents weighed in positively with regard to blacks having power and influence, church outreach activities, and the social/dating environment. With Atlanta doing well in so many categories, you may be wondering what factors contributed to its third-place finish. Atlanta received low marks for the quality of its public schools, daycare availability, and commuting times. (Atlanta's rapid urban growth has turned it into a commuter's nightmare!) The mass transit availability index, 16.7, is relatively low for a large city. And residents expressed general dissatisfaction with the public transportation system. It's no wonder: the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, more commonly called MARTA, is the principal rapid-transit system in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the ninth-largest in the United States. (MARTA), the city's public transportation agency, has been embroiled in a protracted pro·tract tr.v. pro·tract·ed, pro·tract·ing, pro·tracts 1. To draw out or lengthen in time; prolong: disputants who needlessly protracted the negotiations. 2. legal battle with black residents over inequity in fares and service since February 2000. In his "State of the City 2001" address, black Mayor Bill Campbell made note of his successful campaign to improve the infrastructure of Atlanta's inner city. He also cited numerous crime statistics indicating that the city is much safer than when he took office in 1994. The citizens logging in A colloquial term for the process of making the initial record of the names of individuals who have been brought to the police station upon their arrest. The process of logging in is also called booking. from Atlanta are obviously very happy with most aspects of their hometown. They made a strong run for the wire, but the roses go to another city. For additional information on Atlanta, visit the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's Website (www .metroatlantachamber.com). A rare native Have been bitten bit·ten v. A past participle of bite. bitten Verb the past participle of bite by the Atlanta bug? Even if you haven't, you probably know a host of others who long to join the folks down in HOT-lanta. "Atlanta is one big melting pot melting pot America as the home of many races and cultures. [Am. Pop. Culture: Misc.] See : America right now for business and social life," says Shaneesa Ashford, who claims the surge of people moving to this dry has been contagious contagious /con·ta·gious/ (-jus) capable of being transmitted from one individual to another, as a contagious disease; communicable. con·ta·gious adj. 1. Of or relating to contagion. . "We have such diverse cultures, and the black people here come from places like the Caribbean, Africa, and everywhere else. I was born and raised here, but that's rare. We have so many people moving down here that it's kind of hard to find an Atlanta native." The 30-year-old did abandon her hometown during her college days at Florida A&M University. But a year and a half after graduation, Ashford, along with her husband, Alton Anderson, returned to the southern city because "he and his friends had been talking about moving up here since they were in high school." Ashford is glad that she returned to her roots because she loves the warm weather and being close to her family. She's also happy with her blossoming career as a publications coordinator for the Georgia Department of Transportation The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is the government agency responsible for building and maintaining state roads in the U.S. state of Georgia. Their headquarters is located across the street from the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. . Besides, there's no place like home. "We've got the excitement of a big city with some Southern hospitality," she says. ATLANTA AT A GLANCE Black Landmarks The King Center Atlanta University Center Atlanta University Center, at Atlanta, Ga.; coeducational. The largest consortium of historically African-American educational institutions in the country, it was organized in 1929 when three schools—Atlanta Univ. Black Annual Event National Black Ads Festival Black History Fact Birthplace of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. B.E. 100s Company H.J. Russell & Co. Top Black Official Bill Campbell, mayor January/July Mean Temp (F [degrees]) 41/79 Black Websites www.ebonypages.com www.1stfridays.com 2 WASHINGTON, D.C. THE NATION'S CAPITAL TAKES THE SILVER MEDAL. Washington, D.C.'s 343,312 African comprise 60% of the total population. Blacks living in the city and surrounding areas earn the highest average household income ($38,858) of all those in the top 10. The percentage of black households earnings more than $50,000 per year also topped contenders' at 28.4%. According to survey results, residents are satisfied with their earnings potential. Living in the nation's capital and, close by, the extensive Chesapeake Bay shoreline, respondents expressed high satisfaction with the availability of cultural and recreational opportunities. Professional sports The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. franchises include the NBA's Wizards and the NFL's Redskins Redskins can refer to:
The Washington, D.C. area is home to slightly more than 10,000 black-owned businesses. Earnings for such businesses almost tripled between 1992 and 1997. As would be expected, residents are very satisfied with entrepreneurial opportunities and somewhat satisfied with the number of black-owned businesses in their hometown. The high satisfaction rating for public transportation far outpaces that of the other cities on our list. No surprise here. Washington, D.C.'s mass transit availability index (24.4) is second only behind the more populous pop·u·lous adj. Containing many people or inhabitants; having a large population. [Middle English, from Latin popul Chicago (26.5). While not as established as Chicago's "El" (elevated) trains, the Washington Metropolitan Area The Washington Metropolitan Area, formally known as the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA is a U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as of November 2004. Transit Authority (WMATA WMATA Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority ) and the Maryland rail commuter trains, subway, and light rail appear to be increasingly meeting the needs of commuters. The average commuter spends 28.8 minutes in transit, only slightly longer than Chicago commuters (28 minutes). The city posted low satisfaction marks for crime, daycare availability, and public school quality. Perceptions don't necessarily reflect actual statistical data. For example, although Washington, D.C., was notorious for crime during the 1990s, the most recent crime-rate data place the area as safest among the top 10. Despite the drop in crime, black residents do not appear happy with their relationship with law enforcement. As far as education is concerned, per pupil expenditures rank third behind Philadelphia and Detroit. Hopefully, African American Mayor Anthony A. Williams Anthony Allen "Tony" Williams (born July 28 1951, in Los Angeles, California) is an American politician who served as the fourth elected mayor of the District of Columbia from 1999 to 2007. vision of "strong schools, safe streets, and clean communities" will come to fruition fru·i·tion n. 1. Realization of something desired or worked for; accomplishment: labor finally coming to fruition. 2. Enjoyment derived from use or possession. 3. , making the district an even better place. For more information on Washington, D.C., visit the city's official Website (www.washingtondc.gov). The place to be Washington D.C.'s it going on, according to attorney Candice Mitchell. The 35-year-old says the city has a lot of professional opportunities for African Americans who work for the government or in the private sector. In addition, she says there are lots of wonderful opportunities to mix business and pleasure. "Most of the African American professional organizations host a wide variety of activities such as golf tournaments, enhancement seminars, dinners, and other fund-raisers," she says. She also loves the cultural diversity that has become an integral part of the district area. Adds Mitchell, "We have all types of socioeconomic levels, restaurants, and entertainment. We are in close proximity to major cities such as Boston or Miami. And D.C. has lots of great universities [and] sports teams, as well as three major airports. Everyone I know comes here for meetings, conventions, to visit a friend, or to sightsee sight·see intr.v. sight·saw , sight·seen , sight·see·ing, sight·sees To tour sights of interest. sight ." Mitchell also brags about the Washington, D.C. Metro system, which stops at all of the city's tourist attractions Noun 1. tourist attraction - a characteristic that attracts tourists attractive feature, magnet, attractor, attracter, attraction - a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts; "flowers are an attractor for bees" in the downtown area. "It's clean, safe, and modern," she insists. The bottom line for Mitchell, however, is that she doesn't want to live anywhere else. "This is where I was born and where I went to undergrad and law school. D.C. is the place to be--by far," she says. WASHINGTON, D.C. AT A GLANCE Black Landmarks Frederick Douglass National Historic Site The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, administered by the National Park Service, is located at 1411 W St., SE in Anacostia, a neighborhood east of the Anacostia River in Southeast Washington, D.C.. African American Civil War Memorial The African American Civil War Memorial, at the corner of Vermont Avenue and U Street NW in Washington, D.C., commemorates the service of 209,145 African-American soldiers and sailors who fought for the Union in the American Civil War. Black Annual Event Congressional Black Congress Foundation Legislative Conference Black History Fact Original city layout surveyed by Benjamin Banneker  This article requires authentication or verification by an expert.Please assist in recruiting an expert or [ improve this article] yourself. See the talk page for details. Top Black Official Anthony A. Williams, mayor January/July Mean Temp (F [degrees]) 35/80 Black Websites www.urbanconnect.com www.urbanhangsuite.com 1 HOUSTON CONGRATULATIONS: HOUSTON TOOK AWAY THE GOLD AND has earned the title of BLACK ENTERPRISE's best city for African Americans. Founded in 1836, the city of Houston is the 10th largest in the United States behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Blacks are 25.3% of the 1,953,631 central city population, according to 2000 Census figures. Survey results indicate that Houston residents have great confidence in their earnings potential, despite the fact that the metropolitan statistical area(*) (MSA) average black household income ($27,477) is well below Houston's average MSA household income ($41,257). A little more than 13% of black households earn more than $50,000 annually. The most recent income figures available are from the 1990 Census. In 1999, Relistar Financial Corp., a Minneapolis company that offers consumer and corporate insurance products, ranked Houston the No. 1 city in the Unites States for "High Job Quality Average Earnings." Houston survey participants indicated that they are satisfied with the employment prospects for blacks. Future job growth is projected at a strong 17.8%, according to the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) A research agency of the U.S. Department of Labor; it compiles statistics on hours of work, average hourly earnings, employment and unemployment, consumer prices and many other variables. . Houston has more than 2 million payroll jobs and is corporate headquarters for 11 Fortune 500 companies, including Compaq Computer and American General. Black businesses abound in Houston. There are 29 African American residents for every black business; that's better than the other cities on the list. The high satisfaction ratings Houston received for its cost of living and housing prices pushed it over the top. Indeed, the MSA boasts the second-lowest cost of living index and cost of housing ($108,500 for a typical three-bedroom home) among the top 10 finalists. Fully 43% of blacks are home owners, in spite of a home mortgage loan rejection rate of nearly 41%. Oddly, Houston respondents indicated that they are generally satisfied with the performance of their local banks. On another note, Houston's relatively low residential segregation index means that African Americans live throughout the city. This may explain its above average rating for the state of race relations, a close second to Dallas. On the political front, residents are somewhat content with their elected officials. Mayor Lee P. Brown's "neighborhood-oriented government" approach appears to be making a difference. For more information on Houston, visit the Greater Houston Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown is a 10-county metropolitan area defined by the Office of Management and Budget. It is located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas. Partnership's Website at (www.houston.org). Politically correct politically correct Politically sensitive adjective Referring to language reflecting awareness and sensitivity to another person's physical, mental, cultural, or other disadvantages or deviations from a norm; a person is not mentally retarded, but in Houston Although Janell Ellison, age 29, tests software for NASA's space shuttle space shuttle, reusable U.S. space vehicle. Developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), it consists of a winged orbiter, two solid-rocket boosters, and an external tank. , she's pretty grounded, having lived in Houston here entire life. Ellison believes this town spells opportunity for African Americans, particularly on the business front. "Finding a job in my field was fairly easy because [recruiters] came to Texas Southern to interview African Americans for positions in the field of science and technology. I had a job when I graduated." Like other Houstonians in our survey, Ellison is also fairly satisfied with the performance of local elected officials and their level of power and influence in the community. "I think we have a pretty good number of black politicians in the city of Houston. One such politician is Rodney Ellis Rodney Glenn Ellis[1] (born 7 April 1954)[2] is a Democratic member of the Texas Senate for the 13th District, and co-founder of Apex Securities. He is currently Chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Organization and sits on the Senate Committees on (state senator Noun 1. state senator - a member of a state senate senator - a member of a senate in District 13), who is fairly active in the community. He's been to some of the events that Texas Southern has sponsored and talked to the alumni, There's also [U.S.] Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. She's always active in community events and is involved in all kinds of social programs and is really out there in the streets working for her constituents. We also have a black mayor, Lee Brown. He's constantly talking with the youth, different people in the community, and trying to get things done." HOUSTON AT A GLANCE Black Landmarks Emancipation Ask a Lawyer Question Country: United States of America State: Maryland I am 17 years old and would like to know if I would be able to file for minor emancipation. Park "Freedman's Town" Black Annual Event Juneteenth Celebration Black History Fact Birthplace of late U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan Barbara Charline Jordan (February 21, 1936 – January 17, 1996) was an American politician from Texas. She served as a congresswoman in the United States House of Representatives from 1973 to 1979. Early life and career Jordan was born in Houston's Fifth Ward to Rev. Top Black Official Lee P. Brown. mayor January/July Mean Temp (F [degrees]) 52/84 Black Websites www.insideblackhouslon.com www.blackhouston.com (*) A metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a core Urbanized Area and its surrounding urbanized counties with a total population of at least 100,000 or more inhabitants. Analysis of Census data reveals that in many MSAs, large proportions of African Americans live outside of central cities. BEHIND THE NUMBERS How We Ranked The Cities(*) Rankings are based on responses from 4,239 surfers that filled out a BLACK ENTERPRISE Online Survey that was posted on our Website (www.blackenterprise.com) for five weeks. Participants expressed their degree of satisfaction as it related to 21 quality-of-life factors. Survey responses ranged from 1 (Very Dissatisfied) to 5 (Very Satisfied). The final scores for each city was derived by adding the average scores obtained for each of the 21 questions. For statistical purposes, a city had to have at least 50 respondents to be included in our analysis. The data on the following pages was compiled from various demographic and socioeconomic sources so that you can determine whether these cities meet your needs. Final Tally TOP 10 B.E. FINAL TOTAL BLACK CITIES RANKING SCORE POPULATON POPULATION Houston, TX 1 70.58 1,953,631 494,496 Washington, D.C. 2 69.45 572,059 343,312 Atlanta, GA 3 68.99 416,474 255,689 Charlotte, NC 4 65.18 540,628 176,964 Memphis, TN 5 63.79 650,100 399,208 Detroit, MI 6 62.37 951,270 775,772 Baltimore, MD 7 61.99 651,154 418,951 Dallas, TX 8 61.18 1,188,580 307,957 Chicago, IL 9 60.22 2,896,016 1,065,009 Philadelphia, PA 10 59.54 1,517,550 655,824 National Average N/A N/A 281,421,906(*) 34,658,190(*) B.E. Top 10 Average N/A 64.33 1,133,766 489,319 TOP 10 BLACK % CITIES Houston, TX 25.3 Washington, D.C. 60.0 Atlanta, GA 61.4 Charlotte, NC 32.7 Memphis, TN 61.4 Detroit, MI 81.6 Baltimore, MD 64.3 Dallas, TX 25.9 Chicago, IL 36.8 Philadelphia, PA 43.2 National Average 12.3 B.E. Top 10 Average 49.28 Three factors help drive residents' support for Houston. First, the economy is diversified and we're no longer dependent solely upon oil, gas, and real estate. We're now into high tech, research, and biotechnology. In addition, we have an African American mayor and this has given the community an injection of enthusiasm. Finally, housing is relatively affordable for renters and homeowners--you get a lot of bang for your buck!" --Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell Kirbyjon H. Caldwell is the pastor of the Windsor Village United Methodist Church, a 14,000-member megachurch in Houston, Texas. He is one of President George W. Bush's most influential spiritual advisors. Background Caldwell was born in 1953 in Houston. of Houston, TX (with Mayor Lee P. Brown) [GRAPH OMITTED] Money & Finance TOP 10 COST OF LIVING AVG. HOUSE AVG. CITIES INDEX(**) PRICE(**) RENT(**) Houston, TX 93.1 $108,500 610 Washington, D.C. 124.0 176,400 830 Atlanta, GA 103.2 126,800 590 Charlotte, NC 100.1 139,400 560 Memphis, TN 92.4 114,600 540 Detroit, MI 105.2 140,600 640 Baltimore, MD 97.0 126,800 640 Dallas, TX 100.5 126,000 730 Chicago, IL 111.3 170,200 750 Philadelphia, PA 123.1 131,000 730 National Average 100.0 128,572 N/A B.E. Top 10 Average 104.99 136,030 662 TOP 10 BLACK MORTGAGE BLACK/WHITE CITIES REJECTION %(**) REJECTION RATIO(**) Houston, TX 40.57 1.61:1 Washington, D.C. 24.77 3.01:1 Atlanta, GA 30.63 1.95:1 Charlotte, NC N/A N/A Memphis, TN 36.18 2.17:1 Detroit, MI 36.21 1.52:1 Baltimore, MD 28.89 2.73:1 Dallas, TX 40.71 1.64:1 Chicago, IL 32.68 3.93:1 Philadelphia, PA 28.64 3.20:1 National Average 53.75 1.96:1 B.E. Top 10 Average 33.25 2.42:1 [GRAPHS OMITTED] Career and Business TOP 10 AVG. HOUSEHOLD AVG. HOUSEHOLD % BLACK CITIES INCOME INCOME-BLACKS HOUSEHOLDS-50K+ Houston, TX $41,257 27,447 13.1 Washington, D.C. 58,799 38,858 28.4 Atlanta, GA 44,968 28,838 15.1 Charlotte, NC 37,805 25,720 10.9 Memphis, 1N 35,139 21,015 8.2 Detroit, MI 42,393 27,892 16.3 Baltimore, MD 44,405 29,944 17.0 Dallas, TX 42,209 25,757 12.1 Chicago, IL 45,098 31,708 18.2 Philadelphia, PA 44,482 28,858 10.1 National Average 37,403 24,814 13.2 BE. Top 10 Average 43,656 29,300 15.54 TOP 10 RECENT JOB % CITIES GROWTH (1yr)(**) Houston, TX 1.9 Washington, D.C. 3.3 Atlanta, GA 3.7 Charlotte, NC 1.9 Memphis, 1N 2.3 Detroit, MI -0.62 Baltimore, MD 1.5 Dallas, TX 3.3 Chicago, IL 0.55 Philadelphia, PA 0.8 National Average 1.68 B.E. Top 10 Average 1.87 Entrepreneurship Opportunities TOP 10 1992 BLACK-OWNED 1992 1992 PAID CITIES BUSINESSES SALES (000) EMPLOYEES Houston, TX 13,592 $537,490 6,191 Washington, D.C. 10,111 451,861 4,277 Atlanta, GA 5,762 200,701 3,299 Charlotte, NC 3,216 123,654 951 Memphis, TN 5,662 183,665 2,257 Detroit, MI 9,275 486,092 4,528 Baltimore, MD 7,542 233,164 2,409 Dallas, TX 7,071 330,354 5,191 Chicago, IL 15,328 1,087,267 10,961 Philadelphia, PA 7,183 549,414 5,962 National Average N/A N/A N/A B.E. Top 10 Average 8,474 426,360 4,002.60 TOP 10 1997 BLACK-OWNED 1997 1997 PAID CITIES BUSINESSES SALES (000) EMPLOYEES Houston, TX 16,855 $1,418,893 22,409 Washington, D.C. 10,909 1,334,651 N/A Atlanta, GA 7,853 1,012,038 N/A Charlotte, NC 4,803 421,586 5,159 Memphis, TN 8,080 573,370 7,667 Detroit, MI 11,282 1,358,703 12,114 Baltimore, MD 7,255 731,236 8,191 Dallas, TX 7,601 1,546,748 10,649 Chicago, IL 23,576 2,452,633 24,815 Philadelphia, PA 9,285 830,185 8,896 National Average N/A N/A N/A B.E. Top 10 Average 10,758 1,168,004 12,488 Employment Opportunities TOP 10 FUTURE JOB UNEMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT CITIES GROWTH (10 yrs) % RATE-TOTAL % RATE-BLACK % Houston, TX 17.8 5.5 9.4 Washington, D.C. 16.5 3.5 5.7 Atlanta, GA 23.2 3.8 5.5 Charlotte, NC 18.7 3.7 6.2 Memphis, TN 19.2 4.4 6.8 Detroit, MI 9.2 4.5 8.2 Baltimore, MD 15.1 5.5 11.4 Dallas, TX 19.7 4.0 8.9 Chicago, IL 11.1 5.0 9.5 Philadelphia, PA 7.7 5.7 11.7 National Average 15.09 4.24 8.0 B.E. Top 10 Average 15.82 4.56 8.33 [GRAPHS OMITTED]
Public and Private Services
TOP 10 DOLLARS PUPIL/TEACHER HIGH SCHOOL
CITIES PER PUPIL(**) RATIO(**) GRAD %(**)
Houston, TX 4,984 15.2 81.2
Washington, D.C. 6,826 18.1 87.2
Atlanta. GA 5,280 16.4 86.6
Charlotte, NC 4,773 15.8 80.1
Memphis, TN 4,280 17.8 73.1
Detroit, MI 6,976 20.1 92.9
Baltimore, MD 6,390 18.3 82.0
Dallas, TX 4,815 14.5 81.5
Chicago, IL 5,996 17.6 80.4
Philadelphia, PA 7,250 17.1 82.3
National Average 6,387 17.0 16.0
B.E. Top 10 Average 5,757 17.1 82.1
TOP 10 COLLEGE DOCTORS
CITIES GRAD %(**) PER 10,O00(**)
Houston, TX 26.4 13.2
Washington, D.C. 37.3 11.1
Atlanta. GA 34.1 16.5
Charlotte, NC 22.8 14.7
Memphis, TN 18.2 13.1
Detroit, MI 22.1 12.4
Baltimore, MD 25.2 11.5
Dallas, TX 26.2 14.0
Chicago, IL 22.0 14.4
Philadelphia, PA 24.6 15.2
National Average 14.2 12.2
B.E. Top 10 Average 21.4 14.1
Urban Environments
TOP 10 MEDICAL MASS TRANSIT VIOLENT
CITIES COST INDEX(*) AVAILABILITY(**) CRIME RATE(**)
Houston, TX 109.1 15.1 749.1
Washington, D.C. 119.5 24.4 526.6
Atlanta, GA 109.2 16.7 720.3
Charlotte, NC 94.2 3.9 946.7
Memphis. TN 93.8 8.0 1159.2
Detroit, MI 100.0 10.3 850.7
Baltimore, MD 93.7 17.2 1064.9
Dallas, TX 107.3 16.2 728.4
Chicago, IL 110.0 26.5 1062.3
Philadelphia, PA 98.0 17.4 665.0
National Average 100.0 8.03 506.0
B.E. Top 10 Average 103.48 15.6 847.32
TOP 10 PROPERTY RACIAL
CITIES CRIME RATE HATE CRIMES
Houston, TX 4,452.6 21
Washington, D.C. 3,999.0 4
Atlanta, GA 5,624.7 11
Charlotte, NC 5,683.6 0
Memphis. TN 5,928.2 N/A
Detroit, MI 4,850.5 10
Baltimore, MD 5,169.5 8
Dallas, TX 5,205.9 20
Chicago, IL 4,527.8 47
Philadelphia, PA 3,713.0 48
National Average 4,329.0 N/A
B.E. Top 10 Average 4,778.98 21.13
TOP 10 CITY RESIDENTIAL
CITIES MAYOR SEGREGATION INDEX(**)
Houston, TX Lee P. Brown(*) 1.374
Washington, D.C. Anthony A. Williams(*) 1.581
Atlanta, GA Bill Campbell(*) 1.498
Charlotte, NC Pal McCrory 1.276
Memphis. TN Willie W. Herenton(*) 1.422
Detroit, MI Dennis Archer(*) 1.853
Baltimore, MD Martin O'Malley 1.602
Dallas, TX Ron Kirk(*) 1.366
Chicago, IL Richard M. Daley 1.858
Philadelphia, PA John F. Street(*) 1.608
National Average N/A 1.377(**)
B.E. Top 10 Average N/A 1.55
TOP 10 % BLACKS AVG. MINUTES
CITIES OWNING HOMES(**) COMMUTING(**)
Houston, TX 43.1 25.6
Washington, D.C. 41.1 28.8
Atlanta, GA 40.4 25.4
Charlotte, NC 43.8 21.3
Memphis. TN 47.9 21.5
Detroit, MI 48.7 23.1
Baltimore, MD 39.4 25.6
Dallas, TX 37.9 24.4
Chicago, IL 37.1 28.0
Philadelphia, PA 55.5 24.4
National Average 43.4 19.2
B.E. Top 10 Average 43.5 24.81
(*) African American
MASS TRANSIT AVAILABILITY
The extent of mass transit is an important measure workforce mobility
and overall transportation capacity.
Measure: All urban public mass transit systems' carrying capacity,
in annual vehicle revenue capacity miles per capita, 1998
RESIDENTIAL SEGREGATION INDEX
If the index is greater than one, African Americans live nearer to the
African Americans than to members of other racial groups. The higher
the number, the more segregated the city, indicating a higher degree
of African Americans living in all-black neighborhood versus a mixed
one.
(*) For the purposes of this story, "cities" are U.S. Bureau-defined Urbanized Areas, which consist of a central city ot at least 50,000 residents, and a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile of land area. (**) A metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a core Urbanized Area and its surrounding urbanized counties with a total population of at least 100,000 or more inhabitants. Analysis of Census data reveals that in many MSAs, large proportions of African Americans live outside of central cities. DATA SOURCES: U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; America Chambers of Commerce Researchers Association; American Association American Association refers to one of the following professional baseball leagues:
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