"There is no hiding place from the realities, hardships, and challenges that reflect the complexity of black economic progress since the civil rights movement 50 years ago. At that time, many assumed that the hard-fought victories for voting rights, access to education, and economic opportunity would become the gateway to economic parity and the elimination of urban poverty. However, as the painful images of Hurricane Katrina have revealed, there remains a significant wealth gap between blacks and whites in this nation, one that must be closed if America is to thrive in the 21st century.

"This is our hour: We have seen the challenges ahead of us and know that we have a long way to go. We have also seen that our economic progress sometimes stands on shaky ground. But, our resolve must be solid as a rock. We must take ownership of our own economic destiny as well as urge our leaders to develop policies to help working families. Let our generation’s commitment to equality and economic opportunity be our guiding force. We must stand together, steadfast and unmovable, in this new century to become an America that truly reflects justice, equality, and opportunity for all people and for generations to come."

- excerpt from Marc H. Morial’s essay in "The Covenant with Black America"

Black leaders, like Morial, make sense in suggesting that our challenge as black Americans is to assist low-income people of color; help rebuild low-income communities of color, help folks get to decent-paying jobs, help provide educational opportunities, high-quality affordable housing and a better way of life.

Black Americans including politicians, educators, financial experts and journalists discussed a range of issues designed to help improve the quality of life for black Americans from coast to coast.

Some talked about healing the black community from within while others discussed quality education for black students and underscored the need for black economic empowerment and fiscal responsibility.

Black health care experts reminded us of startling statistics: The prevalence of diabetes among African Americans is about 70 percent higher than among white Americans. Infant mortality rates are twice as high for African Americans as for white Americans. The five-year survival rate for cancer among African Americans diagnosed for 1986-1992 was about 44 percent, compared with 59 percent for whites.

Last year, the National Urban League released a report that examined black progress in education, home ownership, entrepreneurship, health and other areas. The publication forecasts social and political trends and proposes solutions to the community's and America's most pressing challenges.

Hurricane Katrina, for example, exposed the world to environmental racism and a government that was unable -- and in some cases, initially unwilling -- to provide for the poorest black residents of New Orleans.

One of the most challenging issues, according to many black leaders, is AIDS in America. Today, AIDS is disease that can only be stopped if each of us does our part; from churches to civil rights organizations, from media organizations to academic institutions, cultural organizations to policy making bodies, every institution in black America must make ending the AIDS epidemic a top priority.

In 2007, as funding for some social programs has been dismantled by the Bush administration, these issues will be even more critical and demand for solutions will be greater.

BlackAmericaWeb.com asked several black Americans to articulate their thoughts for 2007 in the areas of politics, social issues, education and health care. In all, black men and women from a variety of professional backgrounds shared a common sentiment for 2007: Let's help ourselves.

--

The question, a simple one: If you could wish one resolution on the black community at large, what would it be?

"I would wish for Universal Health Care -- that is, that the United States provide accessible, high-quality health care for all its citizens, regardless of income or employment status." REP JOHN CONYERS (D-MI)

"Stop the violence, return to the basics and respect yourself and each other." GLORIA B. MOULTRIE, vice chancellor for Community Outreach/University Advancement, Southern University at New Orleans.
 

"To implement models that reflect the strengths of America's diverse cultures, uniting divergent traditions and broading knowledge, so that people of different origins can operate effectively in the same environment while understanding and working to prepare a more improved America." CRAIG KIRBY, advisor to former Virginia governor Mark Warner.
 

"For everyone for the New Year, they should first look at their financial life and what they want to achieve, then ask, 'Am I on the path to achieve that goal?' If you have credit card debt, that should be your No. 1 priority. If you’re doing okay but don’t have the minimum cushion of at least three months living expenses -- that’s three months of mortgage, rent, food, etc. -- then that should become a savings priority. If you have kids, are you saving for their college fund? Just take a look at your financial situation, and resolve to do what you need to do to get on the path you want." MICHELLE SINGLETARY, financial author and columnist, "The Color of Money."

"In the coming year, it is my prayer that African Americans take ownership of our individual shortcomings and re-commit ourselves as being agents of change in our community." KEITH MURPHY, host of "The Urban Journal," XM Satellite Channel 169, "The Power."

"What we should do individually and as a community is boycott all the manufacturers and restaurant chains that continue to include transfats in their products. If New York can ban them, we can, too -- especially since we bear the burden disproportionately of their negative consequences. And, of course, we still need universal health care." DR. GAIL CHRISTOPHER, director, Joint Center Health Policy Institute, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.
 

"2007 should be a year where we draw dividends from some of the black political power plays we've been seeing as of late. We should definitely look forward to an Obama candidacy but, more importantly, I'd like to see the Congressional Black Caucus use its newfound leverage to develop domestic and foreign policy initiatives that will truly benefit African-Americans and the African diaspora. I would also like to see Congressman Arthur Davis (D-AL) announce a Senate bid in 2007. What's also needed is fierce, hard-hitting and brutally honest campaigns for mayor in big cites with big black populations like Philly and Chicago. My biggest wish: 2007 should be the year that we all seriously re-examine our failing public education system and decide to completely overhaul it in very creative and unprecedented ways." PETER C. GROFF, executive director, Center for African American Policy at the University of Denver and Publisher of Blackpolicy.org.

"As communities around the world recognize the 200th anniversary of historic legislation that banned the slave trade, I wish that all reflect on the importance of human rights and action to address the still present need for economic empowerment and growth in those communities where children of the diaspora live and a re-connection between all of the children of Africa." DARLENE TAYLOR, Middle Passage Legacy. 

"I will recommit myself to the effort of strengthening our communities by advancing the charter school movement, which empowers some of our parents to become directly and continuously engaged in molding the minds and character of our children and future generations. I am also resolved to helping to recapture our democracy from the cabal to which we have ceded it by standing idly by while they've blatantly robbed us of our rights and seriously imperiled our tomorrows." BILL MURRAIN, Atlanta attorney specializing in education and health care issues.

"I’d like to see black folks take more responsibility for themselves, for their feelings, thoughts and actions. I’d like to see them express their feelings in a more positive way. Even in anger, there’s a way to do it in a positive way. We see these horrendous, violent actions against people. I think that happens because don’t deal with our anger directly as it happens. I'd also like to see black people more willing to seek professional help when they feel they are in trouble emotionally.If they find out they are having difficulty in their thoughts and feelings and behavior, find somebody who can help them sort out those feelings." CAMILLE CLAY, a mental health therapist and couples counselor.

"I'd like to see black people proceed with a little more unity of purpose and consciousness. Are we going to continue to call ourselves and others the N-word -- and where will that lead? Are we going to continue to glorify the thug life -- and where will that lead? Do we want to encourage a culture of 'baby mamas'? And where will that lead? What about black people around the world? Will we relate to them and see the commonalities in our struggles, or will we strive to move, especially in our physical appearance, as far away from them as we can?" RICHARD PRINCE, a Washington-D.C. based journalist who writes a diversity column for the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education.