Policy outcomes, investment in human capital, and African American economic well-being

ABSTRACT

Policy outcomes influence the economic life chances of urban residents, many of whom are African American. While privileged groups have benefitted from such outcomes, state and national policy have often served as an impediment to the economic well-being of African Americans. In today’s digital age economic paradigm, African Americans—a population whose economic life chances are traditionally depended on manufacturing and unionism—would benefit from policy that invests in human capital development. While examining the top 50 cities with the largest African American population, this analysis revealed positive associations between state investment in human capital and growth indicators of economic well-being among urban African Americans.

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Notes on contributors

Lonnie Hannon

Lonnie Hannon III is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Sociology at Tuskegee University. His research examines structural inequality, neighborhood disadvantage, and health disparities from a political economy perspective. His research findings have informed numer- ous organizations, policy makers, and publications on methods of improving economic outcomes among low-income residents.

Ronikia Beane

Ronikia Beane is currently a social worker for the St. Louis Public Schools District. She received her Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis after graduating from Tuskegee University with a B.S. in Sociology and Psychology. Her research examines macro-level factors that affect mental, educational, and economic outcomes of low-income African American youth.

George Munchus

George Munchus is Professor of Management in the Department of Management at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His research is concerned with human resource utilization, project management, employee–employer relations, and inequality management theory. He has published numerous articles and has served as a consultant to individuals, industry, government, labor, and educational organizations in the area of human resources, organizational development, business development, and economic development.