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Reporter searching for black Americans knowledgable about their ancestor's economic lives

Reporter searching for black Americans knowledgable about their ancestor's economic lives

Posted: 3 Jan 2015 2:18AM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 3 Jan 2015 2:21AM GMT
I am a reporter writing a book about the racial wealth gap. I'm looking for African Americans who are knowledgable about their own economic lives, know something about those of their ancestors and would be willing to chat. Please bear with me as I explain.

In practical terms, wealth is the money a family has on hand to patch a flattened tire or weather a job loss. It's the savings and property that can finance a college education, supply the next generation with a down payment for a home or just prevent young people from sinking into unmanageable levels of debt. And for most Americans, the primary sources of their wealth are their homes, their savings and anything they inherit.

In that sense, the racial wealth gap is really a barometer of economic well being. Unfortunately, what it reveals is not good. In 2013, the most recent year for which detailed data is available, half of white households had $141,000 in wealth or more. That same year, half of the country's black households had just $11,000 in wealth or more. The chasm -- which includes uber wealthy outliers and all of the rest of us -- is wider than it has been in 30 years.

But let's face it, when economic matters are carefully explored with deep dives into policy and federal data, the results can dry, bone dry. People's experiences and voices help to make economic matters understandable, even deeply engaging. And that is why I posting a message here. I am looking for black Americans who know a fair amount about where their parents, grand parents, great grandparents or other ancestors lived and worked or what property they purchased, held or lost. I'm particularly interested in talking with black Americans who have given thought to how their financial lives compare to those of their ancestors (recent and distant) and what they expect for future generations.

If any of the above describes you, I would love to chat as soon as possible.

Please shoot me an email at AnUnfinishedBusiness@gmail.com. And, for more information about the book and it's aims, feel free to visit my website at https://anunfinishedbusiness.wordpress.com/.
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