Black History Month: Local event planned, Census stats released

The Fort Smith Public Library will host its Annual Black Heritage Celebration at 2 p.m., Feb. 7 at the Main Branch Community Room.

Carolyn Henderson Allen (right), dean of University Libraries at the University of Arkansas, is the featured speaker. Allen was named to her position June 2000. Prior to the Arkansas job, she was the deputy director of libraries and director of support services at the University of Florida.

Maybe more impressive is that Allen studied dance with THE Eartha Kitt and performed with various jazz dance troupes around the U.S.
 
Also, Denise Thomas, founder and creative director of Details of Distinctions Interior Designs and NeCe’s Global Jewelry Design, will display her jewelry art. A reception will follow the program.
 
BLACK CENSUS
In recognition of Black History Month (February), the U.S. Census recently released statistics about the black population. The info included:

40.7 million:  As of July 1, 2007, the estimated population of black residents in the United States, including those of more than one race. They made up 13.5 percent of the total U.S. population. This figure represents an increase of more than half a million residents from one year earlier. 


65.7 million: The projected black population of the United States (including those of more than one race) for July 1, 2050. On that date, according to the projection, blacks would constitute 15 percent of the nation’s total population. 


24: Number of states or equivalents in which blacks are the largest minority group. These include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

1.4 million: The number of blacks in Cook County, Ill., as of July 1, 2007, which led the nation’s counties in the number of people of this racial category. 


31%: The proportion of the black population younger than 18 as of July 1, 2007. At the other end of the spectrum, 8 percent of the black population was 65 and older. 


2.4 million: Number of single-race black military veterans in the United States in 2007. More military veterans are black than any other minority group.

82%: Among single-race blacks 25 and older, the proportion who had at least a high school diploma in 2007. 


19%: Percentage of single-race blacks 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2007. 


1.2 million: Among single-race blacks 25 and older, the number who had an advanced degree in 2007 (e.g., master’s, doctorate, medical or law). In 1997, 717,000 blacks had this level of education. 


$88.6 billion: Revenues for black-owned businesses in 2002. The number of black-owned businesses totaled nearly 1.2 million in 2002. Black-owned firms accounted for 5 percent of all nonfarm businesses in the United States.

27%: The percentage of single-race blacks 16 and older who work in management, professional and related occupations. There are 49,730 black physicians and surgeons, 70,620 postsecondary teachers, 49,050 lawyers, and 57,720 chief executives.

$33,916: The annual median income of single-race black households in 2007, up from $32,876 (in 2007 constant dollars) in 2006. 


24.5%: Poverty rate in 2007 for single-race blacks, statistically unchanged from 2006. 


64%: Percentage of families among households with a single-race black householder. There were 8.5 million black family households.