How we can break bonds of poverty, segregation
Milwaukee is one of the most segregated metropolitan regions in the country. And one of the poorest. As of 2015, the city was the third-poorest among major U.S. cities, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
There is no shortage of local wellintentioned charitable organizations, foundations, grass-roots organizations and corporations trying to redraw this grim picture but after years of investing millions of dollars and a lot of human capital, the picture remains dire.
But there is another approach that can help, one articulated by co-author Ruben Hopkins, chairman and CEO of the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce.
In short: African-Americans should be the largest employer of other African-Americans. Add to that a firm resolve that African-Americans reach the same standard of living as their fellow citizens.
Why hasn’t this happened so far? We believe that when government and private programs help provide food, utilities, rent subsidies and childcare support to impoverished inner-city residents, it helps them survive but the money ends up in back in the pockets of mostly whites. African-Americans don’t own the big grocery stores, the utilities or many of the apartment buildings.
When Milwaukee’s central-city residents look for entertainment venues on weekends, whether it’s bowling, the movies, live music or roller skating, they end up spending their money outside their neighborhoods.
And so this is not a red problem or a blue problem. It’s a green problem.
Our prescription, based on Ruben’s work, includes:
Dramatically increasing the number of minority-owned businesses, which should include grocery stores and apartments, run by African-American entrepreneurs;
Seeking out successful African-American entrepreneurs and business leaders and having them serve as sponsors for events supported by the chambers and other organizations that support minority entrepreneurship;
Showcasing black businesses in commercials so residents are inspired to buy local;
Advocating businesses use more minority contractors and service providers.
In the late 1960s, as Kenya emerged from years of rule by Great Britain, the people adopted a Swahili word as their slogan. Harambee literally means “all pull together.” It means create your own future.
At its best, a business can be America’s great leveler. A person’s ethnic background, race or gender can fade into the background in a business enterprise. If people can make a contribution — and make money — their chances of acceptance and moving ahead leaps dra--
matically. BizStarts will use its resources to help aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their businesses at no charge.
Our prediction: We can draw a new future for Milwaukee, one in which the boarded-up storefronts in the central city are filled with new businesses.
Harambee.
Dan Steininger is president of BizStarts Milwaukee. Ruben Hopkins is CEO and chairman of the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce.