BLAC America Begins Here
Every number has a story. Every map has a history. BLAC America is a new editorial experience exploring Black America through data, history, and original reporting.
B.J. Strawter, Jr.
Every story starts somewhere.
Sometimes it starts with a person.
Sometimes it starts with a place.
Sometimes it starts with a single number.
BLAC America starts with a question.
Who are we?
Not as a headline.
Not as a stereotype.
Not as a political talking point.
As people.
According to recent U.S. Census data, nearly 50 million Americans identify as Black alone or in combination with another race. We live in every state. We serve in every branch of the military. We own businesses, teach classrooms, write code, build homes, raise families, create art, and shape communities across the country.
That’s the number.
The story is everything behind it.
BLAC America exists to connect those two things.
Some days we’ll start with a map.
Other days we’ll start with a photograph.
Sometimes we’ll start with a chart that raises more questions than it answers.
Where are Black-owned businesses growing?
Why were HBCUs created?
How has homeownership changed over the last 100 years?
What happened during the Great Migration?
Why do some cities tell a different story than others?
We won’t rush to conclusions.
We’ll follow the evidence.
We’ll link to the original research.
We’ll show our work.
Every article is built from the best data we can find. When there is a primary source, we’ll use it. When experts disagree, we’ll explain why. When better information becomes available, we’ll update the story.
Because understanding starts with trust.
BLAC America isn’t meant to settle every debate.
It’s meant to give us a better place to begin one.
Welcome to BLAC America.
Let’s explore.
Sources
Population data:
U.S. Census Bureau
Pew Research Center
Historical records:
Library of Congress
National Archives
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Education:
National Center for Education Statistics
Economics:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Federal Reserve
Small Business Administration
Explore the Atlas
Filed under
About the author
B.J. Strawter, Jr.
B.J. Strawter, Jr. is the owner and publisher of BLAC, a legacy multimedia brand focused on Black life, culture, and storytelling. He is also the founder of MILO, a Black-owned advertising agency, and a partner in Busted Bra Shop, a multi-location retail brand.
Motown Records Launches New Legends Internship to Cultivate the Next Generation of Black Music Leaders
Motown Records is investing in tomorrow’s music industry leaders. Its new New Legends Internship Program gives HBCU students paid experience, executive mentorship, and a direct pathway into careers behind the scenes at one of music’s most iconic labels. #Motown #HBCU #BlackMusicMonth #MusicIndustry #BlackExcellence #BLACMagazine
Community Developers Are Betting on Detroit — And the Neighborhoods Are Changing
Discover how community developers and CDFIs are transforming Detroit neighborhoods through strategic investments and grassroots development projects.
Black-Owned Bars Put a New Spin on Western Saloon Culture While Honoring Black Cowboy History
Black-owned bars across the country are reinventing Western saloon culture while shining a light on the rich history of Black cowboys. The movement blends entrepreneurship, nightlife, and cultural preservation in a way that’s resonating with a new generation. #BlackBusiness #BlackCowboys #WesternCulture #BLACMagazine