A silver lining coming out of the pandemic has been a broader and deeper conversation about the significant opportunity gaps persisting in our beloved community.
For some, eye-opening images of thousands in food lines were a sad reality they had hoped would not occur. For others, long-term hardships were now front-page news as awareness expanded throughout the city. The statistics featured were actually people — our neighbors.
The San Antonio Area African American Community Fund and the San Antonio Area Foundation commissioned Community Information Now and Texas Appleseed for a just-released groundbreaking report, “The State of the African American Community in San Antonio and Bexar County,” on the following key socioeconomic categories: business, criminal justice, education, financial well-being, health and social connectivity.
The findings revealed that in many ways, our challenges mirror those of other cities across the country while also diverging from those national norms. The report shows the interdependency of various factors on the outcomes of the lives of many of our neighbors.
For example, African Americans own only 1.4 percent of all employer firms. The lack or inability to access capital is a major determinant of whether a firm will be employer- or nonemployer-based. African Americans do not have the same earning income as other groups to start a business. The lowest median household income of $48,509 is below the overall Bexar County average of $57,157.
The near future does not show a change in earning power, given that education rigor and post-high school success for African Americans is lower. African Americans seeking other paths for capital through banks or other entities stand less of a chance of being approved or the loan rate provided is not at the level requested. Denials can be contributed to various factors — principally, lack of home equity to guarantee the loan.
Business size is impacted by business earnings and access to capital. Business earnings are impacted by educational preparation. Access to capital is impacted by homeownership. Home ownership is impacted by business earnings. This spiral continues and reveals major interdependencies.
There’s no denying it’s a grim picture. What is the path forward? We must face the hard facts and take on the challenge of turning San Antonio into a national model of success by creating a community where we all can thrive — no matter which ZIP code you call home.
How can we lean into pivotal game-changing programs and initiatives unique to San Antonio but continue to be more intentional toward creating a full pathway to success while celebrating the strength and struggle of the African American community?
We are one of the nation’s largest majority-minority cities, with 7 percent of the population being African American, and in a unique position to build off this community’s long history of contributions to our neighborhoods, educational institutions, churches and small businesses. Let’s take the national stage in owning the best success story for economic mobility for African Americans. That is our charge.
Patricia Mejia is vice president for community engagement and impact at the San Antonio Area Foundation. Bobby Blount is chairman of the board of directors of the San Antonio Area African American Community Fund.
