Black Power Score Card: Measuring and Closing the Racial Wealth Gap with Dr. Andre M. Perry

Dr. Andre Perry brings a revolutionary approach to understanding Black economic power through his groundbreaking research at the Brookings Institution. Sharing his personal journey from being raised by a neighbor in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, to becoming a Senior Fellow at America"s preeminent think tank, Perry offers a masterclass in how data can illuminate pathways to Black community thriving. The conversation centers around Perry"s innovative Black Progress Index, which uses sophisticated machine learning algorithms to identify the factors that most significantly impact life expectancy in Black communities nationwide. What makes this approach revolutionary is Perry"s deliberate choice to measure Black communities against other Black communities—not white ones—revealing "Black Blue Zones" where life expectancy exceeds statistical predictions. Perry"s definition of power as "the ability to live your full life" cuts through symbolic victories to focus on tangible factors that extend and improve Black lives: homeownership, income levels, business ownership, and community composition. His research demonstrates that thriving Black communities exist across diverse political landscapes, challenging assumptions about where and how Black success can flourish. Perhaps most provocatively, Perry dismantles popular discourse around Black relationships by showing how structural factors shape personal outcomes. "Healthy communities build healthy relationships," he argues, redirecting energy from gender-based blame toward addressing systems that extract wealth and opportunity. His approach to reparations similarly focuses on practical, local-level initiatives, particularly around environmental justice issues where causation and harm are clearest. Throughout our discussion, Perry weaves together rigorous statistical analysis with cultural touchpoints and historical context, creating a compelling roadmap for Black community development. Rather than accepting DEI initiatives as end goals, he pushes for mainstream resource access and institutional reform. This conversation offers essential insights for anyone committed to understanding and advancing Black economic power in America today. Support the show https://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub