Resources

In 2014, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) in collaboration with Ebony Magazine, released the result of a of a telephone survey that explores the challenges and successes of African American families living in the United States. The survey provides a comprehensive perspective of black families, documenting viewpoints on a wide range of social, family and economic issues, drawing from a national sample of 1,005 African-American respondents to identify the leading issues confronting Black families.

Key findings of the poll included:

• Despite a strong recognition that the nation is making progress in some important areas like providing access to health care and improving public education, a large segment of the black population believe racism is very much alive and directly impacts their lives. Fourteen percent of respondents said they face discrimination “very often,” while 44 percent said they “sometimes” face discrimination. In addition, respondents also cited finding affordable housing and keeping their children safe as chief concerns. 
• 74 percent think society isn’t doing enough to support young men and boys of color. 
• Almost two-thirds say they are better off financially than they were five years ago, but 82 percent are concerned that Whites still make more than Blacks for doing the same jobs. 
• 52 percent see the media portrayal of African Americans as generally negative. 
• Almost 1/3 are concerned that their children are not getting a quality education. 
• 44 percent said they knew someone who had committed suicide or was killed. 
• Seventy-four percent say efforts to reduce crime and violence in their neighborhood is losing ground or staying the same. 30 percent said “improving the creating more jobs/good paying jobs” is a top issue of concern.