Kitchen table gathering: Black Power Scorecard

Historically, Black Americans’ quest for power has been understood as an attempt to gain equal protections under the law. But power in America requires more than basic democratic freedoms. It is inextricably linked with economic influence and ownership—of one’s own self and one’s home, business, and creations. Andre M. Perry’s new book, “Black Power Scorecard: Measuring the Racial Gap and What We Can Do to Close It,” evaluates people’s ability to set the rules of the game and calculates how that translates into the ultimate means of power—life itself, and the longevity of Black communities.

On Tuesday, April 15, the release event for “Black Power Scorecard” featured a presentation exploring the book’s motivations, writing process, and findings. Experts, practitioners, and community leaders then engaged  in a “kitchen table” conversation to cover the book’s themes that Americans discuss in their homes every day. They talked about the most important factors that influence well-being and life expectancy, “the ultimate expression of power,” and provided solutions to shape a policy agenda to rally behind.