Sustainable Models of Economics in African-American Communities - Research Proposal Example

The African-American community has been experiencing high rates of crime, low wealth creation, and a lack of sustained economic and self-determination indicating the need for effective and sustainable economic models. Such models would enable the African American community to upgrade their standard of living as well as enhance their economic potency. This proposal further aims to offer the framework for an investigation into the key socioeconomic issues, such as homelessness, poverty, lack of business infrastructure, and absence of economic and community developments.

It will also dwell on the lack of representation for appropriately redressing the social, political, and economic issues prevalent among this ethnic group, by focusing subjectively on the. Thus, the primary purpose of the case study will be to integrate strategies established through the collaboration of public-private partnerships intended to construct a master plan for the development of mixed-use commercial and retail developments. To investigate the identified issues, the case study must be conducted by keeping in mind the problems being encountered by African Americans in economic and political contexts.

This case study will benefit the community through exploring, as well as establishing, their current status and initiating appropriate measures to address their problems. It will further cater to the development initiatives essential for promoting and reinforcing the economic condition of the community. B. Background of Study a. Summary of Literature Review African-American Communities continue to experience increasing problems, both from economic and political perspectives, due to the inability to determine and establish sustainability.

Research evidence suggests that the African-American community is experiencing major, social, political, and economic catastrophes (Ferris, Norman, & Sempik, 2001). Estimates place the total population of African-Americans in the range of approximately 42 million. The evidence further suggests that members of this ethnic group remain involved in a higher percentage of criminal activities, thereby accounting for the prevalence of high rates of crime within their community, particularly murders (Flay, et al, 2004).

On the other hand, statistics also reveal that approximately 24.7% of African-Americans live in poverty, which signifies a poor quality of life, low productivity, shortage of resources, and a lack of social sustainability (Gallo & Davis, 2009). Similarly, the rate of school dropouts in African-American communities is also quite high as statistics indicate that only “56% (of the African Americans) complete high school” (Lofstrom, 2007, p.1). Besides, the life expectancy in the community has decreased considerably, perhaps owing to poverty and a low standard of living.