Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Nine West a few names in African American Fashion but new study indicates black women may look good but they are only worth $5.00

Wearing $2095 and you only worth $5

She is fine from head to toe literally. Her fresh wax-wrap pedicure ($40.00) are showing through her open toe Jimmy Choo shoes ($500.00) matching perfectly with her new black True Religion jeans ($300.00) and shirt ($100.00).   Her hot wax manicure ($35) is flawless as they coordinate precisely with her Macy’s accessories ($70). Her Bobby Brown make-up ($200) is exquisite as it blends in with each highlight from her front lace hair due ($300).   It would almost be disrespectful to leave off her Coach purse ($400) and her Christian Dior sun glasses ($150).   I mean from head to toe she is drop dead flattering. The total investment in her look is $2,095.00. But hold on just one second. My momma told me that everything that glitta's aint gold. This woman looks great but her total net worth is:

• If she is 18 to 35, $100.00
• If she is 36 to 46,     $5.00

Now, I know what you are thinking, “Huh? How can that be?” It is because this woman is an exaggerated example of the average black woman.  

The black woman has overcome almost every obstacle without breaking a sweat.  She has nursed the master's children at her breast while her own children were taken.  She has conquered the feats of every profession.  The black woman can be named as: lawyers, professors, doctors, judges, politicians, senators, Secretary of State and even the First Lady of America. While she has done wonders in the areas of professionalism there is still room for improvement in wealth development.  When compared to women of different ethnicities, black women are at the bottom of the totem pole.

According to Researchers at the Insight Center for Community Economic Development, based in Oakland, California single white women in their prime working years (ages 36 to 49) have a median wealth of $42,600, while the median wealth for single black women is only $5.   For all working-age black women ages 18 to 64, their median household wealth is only $100. Hispanic women in that age group have a median wealth of $120. Married* white women have a median wealth of $167,500. Married* black women have a median net worth of $31,500. No matter how you look at it, black women, must do better.

Now that doesn’t let the brotha’s off the hook. Over 70% of all children born in the black  community are born to single women. Single women are 60% more likely to live in poverty and  combine that with being a black female and there chances of poverty increase by 20%. So even though the black woman has been holding down the black family despite of the black man not being present; she must do better as far as building wealth.

Black women today are making more than they have ever made in the history of Black America. However, wealth is not measured in how much money you make, it is measured by how much your worth.   Wealth, or net worth, measures the total of one's assets -- cash in the bank, stocks, bonds and real estate; minus debts -- home mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and student loans. Short and simple, take everything you own in value (what it would sell for today) add them together then subtract all of your debts. The difference is your net worth. 

I commend you black woman in making more money. Now I challange you in taking the money you're making and start retirement accounts, purchase houses, put up the credit cards and pay them off, aquire an emergency fund, teach our children wealth developement and let them see you as an example.  

* Married and/or cohabitating