The Election Won’t Save Us: Why Black Prosperity Depends on Economic Unity, Not Political Heroes

As Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump gear up for another historic election, many in Black America find themselves in a familiar predicament—pinning their hopes for progress on the political stage while underestimating the immense economic power already within their reach. Yet, if this financial power is effectively harnessed, it can pave the way for a future brimming with hope and optimism. The numbers tell a compelling story: Black America wields $1.7 trillion in spending power – more than many nations’ GDPs. This power is evident in our daily choices, from the products we buy to the services we use. Our churches alone collect $11 billion in donations annually, a significant amount that could be channeled into community development. Yet, we continue to invest our hopes in political solutions while allowing this enormous economic leverage to flow away from our communities. Nowhere is this political disillusionment more apparent than in the Democratic Party’s persistent failure to champion reparations as a significant policy initiative despite Black voters consistently being their most loyal voting bloc. Reparations have the potential to fundamentally transform Black economic stability by addressing the racial wealth gap at its root. This inspiring potential of reparations,...