On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. shared a dream for black America. A generation later, America had its first black president. Less than a decade later, black America was back in the streets protesting and one generation away from being the nation's permanent underclass. One of the most talked about topics in America today regards closing the black/white wealth gap. Corporate America is attempting to address the issue. Governments from the local level up to the federal government are attempting to address the issue. The night before his assassination Martin Luther King, Jr. addressed the issue. However, the issue had been addressed in 1865 when General William T. Sherman asked a direct question of Garrison Frazier in Savannah, Georgia. Sherman had completed his March to the Sea at the culmination of the American civil war. On the brink of the Union's victory Sherman asked the spokesperson for 20 black men, what can government do to ensure that you as freed slaves can take care of yourselves? Frazier responded, Land. With land the former slaves responded, they could take care of themselves and have something extra, or positive net worth. Sherman responded by issuing Field Order #15 granting 400,000 acres of confiscated land in 40 acre plots to the freed slaves' families. Shortly thereafter, the federal government created the Freedmen's Bureau, the 400,000 acres were repossessed and given back to the former confederate slave owners, and the freed slaves fell subject to compulsive labor agreements and back in bondage. Following this, which was the best opportunity for black American self determination, blacks have pursued several paths to the Promised Land only to find themselves farther away than at any time in history.
About the Author: Anthony (Tony) Rogers is a fourth generation Floridian whose family roots in the state date back to the late 1800's in Madison County. Employment with the historic Florida East Coast Railroad (FEC) took the family to Central Florida's Atlantic coast where Tony's father, Arzy, was a Pullman Porter. With the family settling in New Smyrna Beach (Tony's birthplace) Arzy became one the railroad industry's first black firemen. Tony's mother, Bettye Rogers née Phillips was a founding member of one of Florida's black nurses' association.
Tony completed his undergraduate studies at Bethune-Cookman College (now University). He continued his graduate school studies in sociology and demographics at Ohio State University ultimately earning his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University.
In 1989 Tony began his career in financial services which spanned over 30 years in leadership including vice president for MetLife, at that time the nation's largest insurance company.
A licensed attorney with six investment registrations Tony is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities. He has been married to Darlene née Harris for 40 years. Darlene and Tony have three children: Kristen L. Pope, a Hampton University graduate employed at Harvard University, Candace N. Rogers, manager with the Darden Food Group, and Jordan A. Rogers a Morehouse College graduate employed by Marvel Studios. Kristen is married to Richard A. Pope, III an MIT graduate and equity trader. He and Kristen have one child, Lily Leigh Pope.
Tony currently consults for the Fountain Church of Miami Gardens, pastored by the Reverend Wayne Lomax.
For more information on the author, go to www.rogernomics.com