19th Annual Black New England Conference:
The State of the Union:
A Critical Perspective on Black America from 1776 to 2026
Suggested Reading
Topic 1: Economic Growth & Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship and Self-Help among Black Americans by John Sibley Butler
Article: Driving prosperity: how Black-owned businesses fueled recent economic growth
Article: Barriers to black entrepreneurship: Implications for welfare and aggregate output over time
Study: Black Entrepreneurship in the United States
Topic 2: Educational Opportunities
Article: US still has 'Miles to Go' to increase Black students educational opportunities
Topic 3: Racial Justice and Criminal Reform
Article: Front-end criminal justice reforms are key to addressing systemic inequities
Article: Incorporating Racial Equity into Criminal Justice Reform
Topic 4: Political Engagement
Blackballed: The Black Vote and US Democracy by Darryl Pinckney
Article: The Power and Promise of the Black Vote
Article: Growing Racial Disparities in Voter Turnout, 2008-2022
Topic 5: Representation in Media and Culture
Double Negative: The Black Image and Popular Culture by Racquel J. Gates
Article: The Power of Authentic Representation: African Americans in Media