Even before COVID-19, Africans in the U.S. had an unemployment rate at least twice the national rate, while the median net worth of white families was 10 times greater than that of African families.
Those who are working make up a disproportionate number of “essential” workers, risking their lives to generate greater profits for corporations that pay them meager wages and do not even provide personal protective equipment.
Small African-owned businesses are struggling to access emergency grant funds that are mostly going to giant politically-connected companies.
The current crisis poses the question “how can the African community build n economic infrastructure to meet the people’s needs and ensure the health and safety of the African working class?”
This week we talk with economic development leaders and business owners:
- Ona Zene Yeshitela, President of the African People’s Education and Defense Fund
- Kundai Bajikikayi, Assistant Manager of Zenzele Consignment
- Tiffany Murphy, Coordinator of the One Africa, One Nation Marketplace
- Bakari Olatunji, Vice-Chair of Uhuru Foods and Pies
- Chia Cotansuca, Promotions Coordinator for Uhuru Furniture and Collectibles
- Akili Achebe, Co-owner of Threads by Denise
- Racquel Barnes, Owner of Fit2You
- Janet Taylor, Owner of Totally Organized
- Christine Sharay Freeman, Owner of Vibing by Nature
Hosted by Ticharwa Masimba and Matop Nyungu, the weekly People’s War Radio Show features guests covering all aspects of the current crisis – providing health and medical tips and resources, economic survival information, analysis of the political and international impact, how to prepare for the future and organize for community self-reliance and self-help.
