Top 20 Cities for Black Families
 

The study weighed the rates of infant mortality, high school graduation, median income, home ownership, unemployment, business ownership and several other factors in determining the list.

Only the cities with the largest black populations were studied.

Columbus, Ohio
Houston
Boston
Charlotte
Indianapolis
Los Angeles
Washington, D.C.
Oakland
Philadelphia
Nashville/Jacksonville, Fla.
Dallas
Detroit
New Orleans
Memphis
Cleveland
New York
Atlanta
Chicago/Milwaukee
Baltimore
St. Louis, Mo

From BET.com

I live in Memphis and I can tell you it's starting to turn into the wild wild west http://216.40.241.68/contrib/ed/BlueFlagEnforcer.gif


this is what I mean......http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/local_n...469849,00.html

Wow that's surprising...wasn't it just a few years ago when Atlanta was considered the best city for blacks?:confused: What happend???

Girl, consider the source. I don't think BET can tell anyone about the best ANYTHING for blacks. Atlanta is a great place for blacks.

Well being a beloved citizen of the city of Memphis, I dont doubt the validity of that article. I myself was almost shot by my so-called friend that stayed across the street... IN MY VERY OWN HOME.

Turned out that next week after that, he shot his friends cousin in his house. Foolishness I tell ya.

*sigh* SMH :(

Im just happy to be alive today.

Re: Top 20 Cities for Black Families
 

Boston! :eek:

Re: Re: Top 20 Cities for Black Families
 

Whats surprising about that?

Well, once again I'm not surprised that New York is on the list. There are sick puppies roaming these streets over here.
:( :mad:

Re: Re: Re: Top 20 Cities for Black Families
 

i see you haven't been here?

I am soooo glad this was posted. I heard it on Doug Banks, but didnt mention all 20 cities. I think this is interestin..

Fancy

Well, I'm thinking that WASHINGTON, D.C. may need to be taken off of this list enlight of the recent SNIPER SHOOTINGS going on around that area. :eek: :eek: NEW YORK...? :eek: :eek:

I figure that there's no such thing as a "Best City" for ANYONE much less African-Americans. Hey, we've got a LOONEY president who's ready to get us into a NUCLEAR WAR...so NO PLACE is safe.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Top 20 Cities for Black Families
 

I lived there happily for almost 20 years. What did I miss ? :confused:

Re: Re: Re: Re: Top 20 Cities for Black Families
 

Born and raised.

Lived in Roxbury, Mattapan, and now Hyde Park

Again I ask. What so surpriing about that?

I wouldn't have put Baltimore on the list and Im B-More born and raised! There are some good things about this city but I dont necessarily agree with it being a good city for African Americans with our deteriorating public school system and how students of HBCU's like Morgan State have to protest, beg and pleed for a decent library when other schools seem to get whatever they want....I could go on and on!:mad:

I am also shocked Los Angeles is so high on the list? :confused: With all the drama that goes on there! I lived in LA for 3 years and it was very nice but there were some crazy things happening!

I lived about seven years in L.A., mainly as a college student. I suspect that L.A. ranked high on the list because there's still a goodly number of AfAms who own their own homes and have decent employment. Most of these people, however, are older and bought property before 1973, when things really started to take off and housing prices basically started to go unaffordable.

The average new single-family house where I live cost $300K and up, and FHA doesn't cover all the loan costs. And with the average rent around here being $1,000 or more a month, it is very hard to save for a down payment.

The part of Los Angeles that I lived in, View Park, was full of middle-class AfAm folks. Some would refer to them as the black bourgeoisie. ;)

I haven't been to all of the cities, but I don't see a problem with any of the cities on the list. Personally, I feel that all of the cities are very nice in terms of being suitable for African American families. Of course, there is violence and crime that runs rampant in these cities, but that doesn't discount them as being the worst place on Earth. Sometimes, when you have been in a place for so long, it starts to affect the way that you think about it. It's hard to watch your city evolve from a place that you could go to sleep and not have to lock your door to a city where you now have to get six extra locks installed. I feel the same way about my city, but at the same time, I have friends that would give their left arm to be here for just a week. With all things, bad comes with the good. We just have to not let the bad warp our view of the good.

Interesting
 

all of these cities have some areas that are nice for blacks, but in general i was susprised to see the ranking. can't say that i agree all that much but its interesting nonetheless.

Atlanta not so nice!!
 

Don't get me wrong I love the ATL shawty; however, it isn' that Atlanta is not a good city for blacks in terms of culture. I am studying City and Regional Planning now in grad school which has opened my eyes to a lot of cities in the U.S. Atlanta is the number one city in the nation for sprawl (uncontrolled growth). Atlanta now sprawls over 20 counties in Georgia. A book was just published by Robert Bullard at Clark Atlanta Univ called "Sprawl City: Race, Politics and Planning in Atlanta".

Most of the people who live in Atlanta may not be aware of the consequences of sprawl such as air pollution, health risks (stress), decline of central businesses, suburbanization, educational decline and other social and economic factors. The businesses follow the rush to the suburbs taking with it the jobs and the better schools. It polarizes races to different sides of town while the more affluent neighborhoods (usually suburbs) get the better end of the stick.

Most of the new businesses are going to Roswell, Alpharetta and other sides of town leaving areas like East Point in devastation as far as economic stability is concerned. The inner city is facing sever blight. Children in Atlanta have higher rates of asthma, nose bleeding while adults face more stress because of their long commutes to work. People in Atlanta spend more time on their commute to work yearly than any other city. Adults also have a higher risk of heart attack from stress related issues. The travel to work cuts down on family time which has quality of life issues in itself. The majority of these issues affect minorities the most. Atlanta will soon lose Federal funding because they exceed the regulated amount for air quality according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

There are other cities like this such as Detroit, Boston and Charlotte.

Let me stop trying to give a snap shot lesson in City Planning. Although, I hope that now you understand why the ATL is not at the top of that list; however, I have no idea what BET based there criteria on.

I hope this helps.

Re: Top 20 Cities for Black Families
 

CUT THE GAMES!!! See, I bet the unemployment rate is what boosted this bunk @$$ city to the top of the list. If nothing else, it is easy to get a job in Columbus. But I WOULD NOT raise my family in that bunk @$$, OSU Buckeye jockin' COW TOWN!!! NO WAY!! See, then recent college grads see this list, and move to one of these cities. They will get to Columbus and be str8 ticked off. (That made me think of Howie's teed off, lol). Columbus, Ohio. They know they need to quit. They have SERIOUS racial profiling issues there. Not like it's not everywhere else, but it is constantly in the news, politics, etc.

Y'all see me and CT4 jetted, right? LOL Maybe you gotta be from there to appreciate it.

Re: Re: Top 20 Cities for Black Families
 

LMAO @ you going off!! I can hear her saying this and that has me doubled over.

LOL @ jetted, bunk and OSU BUCKEYE JOCKING COW TOWN (they really do ride that school's jock strap).

I recently relocated from Baton Rouge to Houston, and I think that the oppurtunties are here for African Americans. It seems to be a large population of African -Americans doing their thing.

Re: Re: Top 20 Cities for Black Families
 

I spent 3 years of my life there and when I came back home the only reason I wanted to go back to "COW TOWN" was because my friends had all gotten really good jobs out of college. But everytime I visited and thought about moving there I was thinking the same -- NO WAY!! I was surprised to see this on the list.

And Atlanta -- it has always been too large (in terms of area).

I live in NY, and I am sure you all read or hear about our ups and downs whether you want to or not.:rolleyes: :D

Re: Top 20 Cities for Black Families
 

These are the only cities that I'd give the time of day as far as aspiring and wanting to live in. JMHO....

Lookahere, Ideal08 & CT4, don't you be dissin' my hometown, now
 

YOU DARN SKIPPY, IDEAL08!!;) You gots to be from here to appreciate it. Straight from a native born's mouth

NO OTHER CITY IN AMERICA has a majority black leadership for a majority white city (76% white, to be exact). In your defense, I can see why you wouldn't want to raise a family here. Because you (and CT4) are single and may not be able to see that Columbus is a very good city to raise a family. I will also say in your defense that this city isn't very conducive to singles when it comes to places to kick it, which IMHO is probably why First Fridays (and It's Just Lunch) is making $$ hand over fist with single folk.

I will admit that Columbus rides OSU's jock like....well, you fill in the blank. I have NEVER attended OSU (and don't plan to) I will be a Capital U. Crusader until the day I die, y'unnerstan?

Anyway, I will make allowances for yours and CT4s dissatifaction with my lovely city because in part because we are all young and single and I can see where you are coming from. But when you get married and start a family, I will have a couple of houses here ready with both your names on it. :D ;)

Now I will say that CT4 made IMHO a good choice in relocating. Charlotte is No. 2 on my relocating list. (Atlanta #1 and Chicago #3). DC I wouldn't move to for all the game shows in Hollywood.

Re: Lookahere, Ideal08 & CT4, don't you be dissin' my hometown, now
 

I knew you would respond!! :) This way, people can get the full perspective. Not for all the game shows in Hollywood?! :eek: That is a STRONG sentiment from you!!! The Columbus Public School system is in academic distress; last on the list in Franklin County. Gene Harris is doing a good job, though, I think. We'll see what happens after tomorrow. Let me know, ok?

And being a Capital Crusader might be cool, but being a WITTENBERG TIGER is even better!! ;) Ask Jeanette (sp?) Bradley! :D Oh, let me know about that, too!!!

BTW, Ideal08...
 

Speaking of which, the only other thing I don't like about Columbus is that they are not (and never have been) very game show friendly. Meaning other than Jeopardy!, WOF, and TPIR, a lot of my favorite game shows got wee hour time slots or never aired in the Cols. market at all.

I am still mad to this day that the local NBC affiliate pre-empted High Rollers halfway through the show's run (1978-80) to air some wack-@$$ soap opera called "The Doctors" The CBS affiliate did the same thing to "Whew!" (1979-80). Oh, and the local NBC affiliate pre-empted the entire run of the "Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour" (1983-84) for "Tom & Jerry". I literally had to visit my aunt Rozina in Pittsburgh during spring break to see a week's worth of episodes (thanx, Gramma). They didn't do that with "Santa Barbara" though (the show MG/HS Hour was replaced with--7/30/84). Now I can't see "Hollywood Squares" here in Columbus b/c Fox 28 dropped it, and from what I was told, it is a LOT better now.

Sorry for the rant, but that has always been one thing I hated about Columbus, it's clockblocking attitude when it comes to airing game shows.

from July 2004 issue of Black Enterprise
 

Top cities for african americans were published in the july issue of Black Enterprise. It also lists the % of blacks in the city, the crime rate, property crime rate, unemployment rate for blacks, blacks owning homes, black owned business and much more.

10.Baltimore,Md

9.Columbus,Oh

8. Memphis,TN

7. Birmingham,AL

6. Charlotte,NC :D

5. Houston,Tx

4. Nashville,Tn

3. Dallas, Tx

2.Washington,Dc

1. Atlanta, Ga





Tidbits-

*In houston, you can get 24% more house for your money than you can nationally.

*washington d.c. has the highest percentage of black households earning over $50k

*lowest medical cost is in nashville

*Washington d.c's violent crime rate is 11% higher than the national average.

Re: from July 2004 issue of Black Enterprise
 

Just another reason why these two cities are high on my list of relocation spots. :D

I grew up in Houston and I love it. It is a GREAT place. There are tons of African Americans doing their respective things and it has been that way for a while. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY back in the 1940's my grandfather was able to start a steel foundry making manhole covers and got a contract with the city even way back then!

I love Htown. I am in law school in DC now and DC SUCKS!!!!! There are no highways- the streets are filthy- the cops are idiots and its too dang cold!

Also the schools in DC are HORRIBLE. Houston ISD won the broadband award for urban education. I don't have much to say about Rod Paige, but there is a reason he is Sec. of Education now. Our magnet schools rock! I went to both private schools and magnet public schools and I can honestly say my education NEVER skipped a beat.

Houston is a great place to raise African American children. You can live IN THE CITY without living in a slum and your kids can be raised around other succeeding African American children/families. This is important to me as I HATE suburbs and believe in re-investing in my OWN community and want my kids to be raised around PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE THEM! I want them to see successfuly Black folk in their daily walk and I know I had that opportunity growing up in my neighborhood in Htown INSIDE of the LOOP!

Also, the TX public colleges are great! I went to TAMU in engineering, but I won't hate on UT. Both schools are nationally ranked in numerous areas.

There are highways, some are in the city, and some are in the suburbs. DC itself is ok, but the suburbs of DC are better. Prince George's County is the wealthiest Black County in the nation. But I have to concur about the schools.

Everyone I hear talking is mentioning Charlotte and Houston. I may have to do some research.

**ADDENDUM**
Scratch that, their teachers make NO money. I mean, yeah its less to live (apartments are cheap) but its not THAT much less in proportion to the salary. Guess I'll stay here in MD.

Lol- at the teachers make no money. I agree. I was accepted into Teach for America and I wanted to D.C. or Atlanta, but was placed in Houston. When I found out what they got paid AND that HISD was the only TFA city in which TFA teachers had to spend their own money and give up their Fridays and Saturdays to go through emergency certification. Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....No! So, instead of doing TFA for 2 years and going to law school, I just went law school.

It also had to do with the fact that I have a B.S. in engineering from a top engineering school and I wanted to teach high school math. Ummm, HISD gave me middle school earth science....no!

But on the highway note, in Houston there are five highways that run directly through the city. In D.C. I know of one- 95, I rarely venture into the suburbs. All I know is in Houston I can get on the highway and travel 30 miles in 30 minutes- in D.C. I CANNOT get on the highway and it takes me 30 minutes to go the 7 miles from Capitol Hill to Howard Law...grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I'm not sure that Cleveland should make the list, with its poor educational system and rampant unemployment, I don't see how they can justify it being on the list!

Re: from July 2004 issue of Black Enterprise
 

I live in VA, 15 minutes from DC and there is a homicide or two EVERYDAY. I mean, it is unbelieveable, but if they put it on there then it must be SOME good in it.

Don't do it!! Lawd don't do it!
 

Don't come to Slow-lumbus, Ohio!!! If you want to have any kind of life outside of work.......DONNNNNNN'TTTTT DEWWWWWW IDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!

I guess the job market is ok....and yes we do have some folks of color in high office but what does that REALLY mean?

The Lt. Governor is Black.......pawn for the Republican party. Gov. Taft you aint foolin' nobody.

Secretary of State is Black......he will soon be cast out of the Rep. party and will coming crying back to the Black community soon. :rolleyes:

Mayor is Black.......what does he do besides look pretty? Anybody know...anyone...anybody? :p :o

Unless you want to have soiree's at you're own house errrrry weekend the social options are limited. What am I 'sposed to be happy cause Lil' Wayne is headlining a concert where the tickets are five dollars and the first 500 chickenheads with no drawls get in free?!!? :eek: Ummmmmm....no. :o You can keep yo crumbs.

Lawd I want to break the chains and move.....give us free!:p

Maybe they mean the metro area. I wouldn't have put B'more City on the list but many of the surrounding areas are very nice (I live in Baltimore County). The City is definitely a Wild Wild West kind of town!

Re: from July 2004 issue of Black Enterprise
 

Houston is after Dallas? That don't make no kinna sense!!! Houston has waaaaay more opportunities than Dallas for African Americans. Dallas has too many issues with its city laws... So bad, I had to get outta dere... It may be that they are talking about Fort Worth? They call it the Dallas Metroplex... With DeSoto and all of South Dallas...

Notice no west coast city was on the top ten list... Oh well... :rolleyes:

Re: Don't do it!! Lawd don't do it!
 

Re: Re: Don't do it!! Lawd don't do it!
 

I just wanted to say that she is a graduate of Wittenberg University!!!! Now, put that in you Capital Crusader cap! :p

That is all. :D