Healthy Economics
By David N.Roach

During my years at Morehouse College, I was given an assignment by Dr. William Sheftal, then head of the Business Department, and instructor of Urban Economics Public Policy class, to seek economic solutions for the African American community.

Around this time, I had read the book, Up From Slavery, written by Booker T. Washington, which not only inspired me to seek solutions for economic development in our community, but to also strive to make these economic improvements a reality.

I thought, if Booker T. Washington could start a school to teach people right out of slavery, then we could also educate our community right out of integration. If students from Tuskegee, right out of slavery, could build forty buildings from their own bricks, then today, with all of our skills and technology, we could also rebuild our poor communities throughout this land.
The plan to make these thoughts a reality are illustrated within this Familyhood Connection’s Healthy Economics Campaign document.

When I started teaching at Castlemont High School in East Oakland, and later at McClymonds High School in West Oakland, I gained a better understanding of the role high schools play in the lives of our children. I realized, the choices students make to either enter college, the military, or the job market, is largely based on information they gather at their high school.
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  The Mo’ Better Food has since 1998 has been working to preserve and expand the connection between African American farmers and predominately African American communities. Currently, African American farmers make up less than 1% of all farmers in the state of California. Along with developing the business skills of the students, the market enabled local residents to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices directly from African American farmers.
visit: http://www.mobetterfood.com


Students at Tuskegee making shoes in early 1900's