The Official List of 1000 Issues Impacting African Americans
Under the leadership and direction of Dr. Jehoshaphat K. Jones, the Coalition of Advocates and strategic alliances of critical stakeholders work to address the top 1000 issues impacting African Americans.
Our collective work is vital for strategic planning, effective intervention, and driving meaningful and comprehensive change. The African American Solutions Matrix features ten focus areas: (1) business administration, (2) careers and jobs, (3) education, (4) health and wellness, (5) leadership and mentorship, (6) legal reform, (7) political action, (8) relationship management and networking, (9) technology, (10) wealth creation and management. Each focus area outlines 100 specific issues, ensuring progress is tracked, monitored, and reported by stakeholders until resolved.
Overview of Key Issues Impacting African Americans
African American 1000 is the definitive, comprehensive, and research-based list of the top 1000 issues facing the African American community.
Category 1: Business Administration
Business Administration Key Issues: African Americans face limited access to start-up capital, discriminatory lending practices, underrepresentation in procurement opportunities, and challenges scaling businesses.
Systemic barriers like high loan denial rates, lack of mentorship, and fewer corporate partnerships hinder African American entrepreneurs. Addressing these inequities can empower sustainable business growth.
Category 2: Careers and Jobs
Careers and Jobs Key Issues: Racial bias in hiring, pay disparities, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and discrimination in workplace policies.
African Americans experience higher unemployment rates, limited opportunities for promotion, and workplace discrimination. Equitable hiring practices and mentorship can improve career trajectories.
Category 3: Education
Education Key Issues: Underfunded schools, disparities in access to advanced courses, racial biases in discipline, and lower graduation rates.
African American students face systemic disadvantages from early education to higher education, impacting college readiness and career outcomes. Increasing funding and equitable access to resources are critical.
Category 4: Health and Wellness
Health and Wellness Key Issues: Racial health disparities, limited access to preventive care, higher rates of chronic diseases, and mental health stigma.
African Americans face higher mortality rates, inadequate healthcare access, and discrimination in treatment. Expanding healthcare access and culturally competent care can improve outcomes.
Category 5: Leadership and Mentorship
Leadership and Mentorship Key Issues: Underrepresentation in executive roles, limited access to mentorship, and barriers to leadership development programs.
African Americans are often excluded from leadership pipelines and strategic decision-making roles. Targeted mentorship and leadership initiatives can bridge this gap.
Category 6: Legal Reform
Legal Reform Key Issues: Racial disparities in sentencing, overrepresentation in prisons, bias in jury selection, and barriers to legal representation.
Systemic inequities in the criminal justice system disproportionately affect African Americans. Legal reform, increased representation, and policy changes are essential.
Category 7: Political Action
Political Action Key Issues: Voter suppression, underrepresentation in political leadership, limited campaign funding, and lack of a political party focusing on African American interests.
African Americans face barriers in political participation and advocacy. Strengthening political networks and supporting Black candidates can amplify representation.
Category 8: Relationship Management and Networking
Relationship Management and Networking Key Issues: Exclusion from influential networks, limited access to mentorship, and underrepresentation in professional associations.
Networking opportunities often marginalize African Americans, limiting their career and business growth. Building inclusive platforms and events is vital.
Category 9: Technology
Technology Key Issues: Underrepresentation in tech careers, disparities in digital literacy, bias in algorithms, and limited access to venture capital for tech startups.
African Americans are underrepresented in key technology sectors and face systemic barriers to innovation. Expanding STEM education and funding can enhance participation.
Category 10: Wealth Creation and Management
Wealth Creation and Management Key Issues: Racial wealth gap, limited access to investment opportunities, disparities in homeownership, and higher debt burdens.
African Americans encounter systemic barriers to building and preserving wealth. Financial literacy, equitable lending practices, and asset-building initiatives are necessary.
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