Breaking Barriers: Empowering Black Communities through Holistic Support and Engagement Education
“Black people are unfunded and over-mentored.”
As we work towards an equity lens, we must understand that there is a significant difference between admissibility and accessibility, and having access to information versus access to resources is crucial. Often, Black individuals have admissions and access to information, yet lack true accessibility to the necessary resources. This distinction is vital as it highlights that merely being allowed into a space or receiving information does not equate to having the means to fully participate or benefit from the opportunities available.
Recognizing and valuing the complex barriers that others face is paramount when presenting information, especially in contexts where equitable access is assumed but not always present. Black individuals, for instance, face higher unemployment rates, lower median wealth, and significant hurdles in accessing higher education compared to their white counterparts. These barriers persist despite having access to information about job opportunities, financial advice, and educational programs. By acknowledging these inequities, we can create more informed, compassionate, and effective strategies for addressing them, ensuring that information is not just available but also actionable and supportive in overcoming systemic obstacles.
Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Black Ambition Opportunity Fund, aptly states, "Black people are unfunded and over-mentored." This highlights the importance of not just providing information but ensuring the necessary resources and support are in place to foster real growth and development. To lessen the divide, we must focus on partnership and engagement education. Educating partners on how to support in ways other than blanket financial giving, often treating Blacks as a handout versus offering a hand-up—what we can term "engagement education"—is crucial.
To elevate Black-owned businesses beyond the incubator phase, we must leverage various resources beyond mentoring and financial support. This involves intentional investment of time, effort, networks, and word-of-mouth. Achieving a holistic impact requires a blend of non-financial support such as skill-sharing, collaboration, and community building. This comprehensive approach empowers Black individuals and communities by providing the diverse resources essential for sustainable growth and development.
To further this mission, Love Is A Parable offers a solution through value-based education, encompassing engagement education and partnership education. Through our efforts, we can develop and implement strategies to solve individuals' and organizations' unique needs. This approach not only addresses the barriers faced by Black individuals but also fosters an inclusive community where everyone has the accessibility and resources needed to thrive.
We invite you to partner with Love Is A Parable to explore positive and effective ways to bring people together. By working together, we can ensure that information is not just available but also actionable, providing the necessary support to overcome systemic barriers and foster true inclusivity and equity.
Barriers Faced by Blacks in Various Sectors
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Black and Hispanic applicants are more likely to be denied mortgages; in 2023, denial rates were 15% for Black applicants versus 6% for white applicants.
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Only 2.3% of employer firms were Black-owned in 2023, reflecting systemic barriers to business ownership.
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Black unemployment rate is consistently higher than the national average; in 2023, it was nearly twice that of white Americans.
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Black households have a median wealth of $24,100 compared to $188,200 for white households as of 2023.
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Black individuals face barriers in access to higher education; in 2023, only 22% of Black adults held a bachelor's degree or higher compared to 42% of white adults.
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Homeownership rate for Black Americans was 44.1% in 2023, significantly lower than the 74.5% rate for white Americans.
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Black individuals have less access to investment opportunities; in 2023, only 6% of Black households owned stocks compared to 58% of white households.
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Black individuals hold less than 8% of leadership positions in nonprofit organizations despite making up over 13% of the population. Black-led nonprofits receive less funding; in 2023, Black-led organizations received only 8% of the average funding compared to white-led nonprofits.
-BoardSource Nonprofit Leadership Study, 2023; Echoing Green and Bridgespan, 2023
Love Is A Parable- an initiative and movement that later became an organization within itself. Love is A Parable is a DBA and subsidiary of Altar and Dwelling Place, Inc. We are a charitable and educational 501c3 organization, that provides character, social, and leadership development to those who have an aspiration toward unity, love, and kindness through a reflective thinking approach and sacred-box theory that involves value-based education.
J. Dwayne Garnett, BSRT, MHA, QP
Chief Executive Officer
Love Is A Parable
Available for Empowerment Speaking Engagements, Consultations, Uncovering Sessions, and Instruction.
Find out more about J by clicking HERE!