Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
What are the best cities in America for Black people, all around for everything. For black professionals, for people that want to experience black history, black culture, black amenities (barber shops, African stores, African cuisine, African-American cuisine (no not the same thing as African cuisines, which are Ethiopian, Angolan, Nigerian, among other nationalities from Africa)).
Best metropolitan areas with the best educational institutions for black people, the best neighborhoods for black people, the best entertainment options for black people, the best place for a socially mobile black person.
How about we try to figure the TOP metropolitan area in America for them first, then we try to establish a top 5, after that a top 10 and then we call it a day with this comparison.
Depends on what you're looking for. For African-American culture, it's probably Atlanta, DC, and Houston - in that order. For Continental African culture, I'd probably go with Houston, (Nigerian) NYC (pretty much every major African nation is represented) and (surprise) Minneapolis (yes, there's a very sizable Somali presence). For Afro Caribbean culture, it's probably NYC (Jamaican, black Puerto Rican, and pretty much every Caribbean island has some representation) and Miami (Haitian, Afro-Cuban). Pretty big dropoff after those two for Afro Caribbean culture IMHO.
Depends on what you're looking for. For African-American culture, it's probably Atlanta, DC, and Houston - in that order. For Continental African culture, I'd probably go with Houston, (Nigerian) NYC (pretty much every major African nation is represented) and (surprise) Minneapolis (yes, there's a very sizable Somali presence). For Afro Caribbean culture, it's probably NYC (Jamaican, black Puerto Rican, and pretty much every Caribbean island has some representation) and Miami (Haitian, Afro-Cuban). Pretty big dropoff after those two for Afro Caribbean culture IMHO.
And also Boston for Cap verdian.
But honestly, I do not really like the idea of relocating only where there are lot of black people... I mean, cities like SF, sure no tlot of black but this city is very educated and is looking into the future (tech jobs) and if more black comes in, recognition will come along.
Even though foreign born and 2nd generation immigrant blacks make up a large portion of the black population, it has not diluted the influence of African American culture in the least. Of course alot of the NYC children of immigrants have embraced African American culture as well, which has helped keep that in tact.
Also there is a very large professional black community in NYC as well. So you have a large professional community to tap into and political organizations. Top to bottom I do not see another city that comes close.
Last edited by edwardsyzzurphands; 03-13-2015 at 04:52 PM..
What are the best cities in America for Black people, all around for everything. For black professionals, for people that want to experience black history, black culture, black amenities (barber shops, African stores, African cuisine, African-American cuisine (no not the same thing as African cuisines, which are Ethiopian, Angolan, Nigerian, among other nationalities from Africa)).
Best metropolitan areas with the best educational institutions for black people, the best neighborhoods for black people, the best entertainment options for black people, the best place for a socially mobile black person.
How about we try to figure the TOP metropolitan area in America for them first, then we try to establish a top 5, after that a top 10 and then we call it a day with this comparison.
Location: The Greatest city on Earth: City of Atlanta Proper
8,465 posts, read 14,896,767 times
Reputation: 7258
The answer to all three questions without a doubt is Atlanta, DC, and New York City. They have the largest populations of peoples of Africans descent (except for DC which is just a hair smaller than Chicago, for now) and the greatest access to all of the cultural/economic/social offerings anyone that is African, African-Ameriacn, Afro-Caribbean, or Afro-Latin could want. While other cities do indeed offer such things, no other city beats those three.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fezzador
For Continental African culture, I'd probably go with Houston, (Nigerian) NYC (pretty much every major African nation is represented) and (surprise) Minneapolis (yes, there's a very sizable Somali presence). For Afro Caribbean culture, it's probably NYC (Jamaican, black Puerto Rican, and pretty much every Caribbean island has some representation) and Miami (Haitian, Afro-Cuban). Pretty big dropoff after those two for Afro Caribbean culture IMHO.
On your point about continental African culture, I disagree. While Houston does have a large Nigerian community, and Boston a large Cape Verdean community, they smaller than the overall African communities in Atlanta, DC, and New York. Just in raw population numbers, it's pretty clear where you would find more culture:
(Keep in mind these are native-born numbes and doesn't include their children born as Americans)
New York-Northern New Jersey- Long Island 211,735
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 160,820
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta 67,770
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana 67,505
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington 63,885
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington 60,905
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy 59,985
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown 50,380
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington 47,580
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville 42,510
With a larger population comes a more dynamic culture experience. When you pair that with the over all large African-{insert origin here} populations those three cities have, it's a no brainer.
Minneapolis is an interesting one. While they do have a very large African population, I've also heard of Africans having great difficultly there integrating with the surrounding culture. Though I will admit I have no personal experience with that town.
On Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latin, it would be NYC and Miami however Atlanta and DC (surprise surprise) are no slouch in that category either.
Atlanta and DC would be tied for #1
2. NYC
3. Philadelphia
4. Chicago
I've done motivational speeches in the Black community all over the country and these cities are tops, based on my experiences.
Yep. These would be the top five it I'd agree -- Atlanta, DC, NYC, Philly and Chicago -- though depending on what metrics you choose, the order of the top five might change around. But "the best" place obviously depends on individual taste, temperment, occupation, preferences for weather, proximity to family, and so forth.
You can also find decent numbers of solid black achievers in the SF Bay Area, Houston, metro LA, Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, and Boston, which I'd use to round out the top ten.
And as a sleeper you might throw in metro Detroit. As screwed up as that city is -- and I hope it really is on an upswing now -- I met an awful lot of smart and talented brothers and sisters during the short time I lived there.
Yep. These would be the top five it I'd agree -- Atlanta, DC, NYC, Philly and Chicago -- though depending on what metrics you choose, the order of the top five might change around. But "the best" place obviously depends on individual taste, temperment, occupation, preferences for weather, proximity to family, and so forth.
You can also find decent numbers of solid black achievers in the SF Bay Area, Houston, metro LA, Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, and Boston, which I'd use to round out the top ten.
And as a sleeper you might throw in metro Detroit. As screwed up as that city is -- and I hope it really is on an upswing now -- I met an awful lot of smart and talented brothers and sisters during the short time I lived there.
Replace Boston with DFW. I think Houston has the best chance to get up in the top five personally because the Black middle class is exploding there. What I think hurts Houston is that there is nothing like a PG or a DeKalb County in the Houston area.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.