“…Perry reevaluates what it means for Black Americans to be empowered in this smart and revelatory study….one of the most riveting and convincing studies yet to make a case for reparations.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
A senior fellow and director of the Center for Community Uplift at the Brookings Institution, creator of “nothing less than a unified field theory of racism” (NPR’s Planet Money), and author of Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities, Andre M. Perry’s new book BLACK POWER SCORECARD: Measuring the Racial Gap and What We Can Do to Close It (Metropolitan Hardcover; 9781250869715; April 15, 2025; 256 pp.; $27.99) stresses the critical need now more than ever for all Americans to come together and work towards a better future.
Historically, the quest for power among Black Americans has often been framed as a struggle for equal protections under the law in pursuit of fundamental democratic freedoms. Coverage has typically focused on measuring progress through comparisons to white Americans, highlighting racial disparities and the impact of trauma from discrimination. Alternatively, progress has been illustrated through the achievements of individual artists and entrepreneurs.
BLACK POWER SCORECARD by Andre M. Perry. Publication Date: April 15th, 2025. Metropolitan Hardcover / 9781250869715 / $27.99 / 256pp eBook ISBN: 9781250869722
BLACK POWER SCORECARD presents a fresh perspective, moving beyond traditional narratives of racial disparities and simplistic notions of exceptionalism to illuminate the undeniable strength within Black communities, as evidenced by improved life expectancies of Black people in counties and cities nationwide. It spotlights the top U.S. counties based on life expectancy, showcasing how society can build upon the positive factors that contribute to increased longevity. By examining contributing factors such as housing, business development, education, and climate, it offers a comprehensive view of how communities can thrive, regardless of geographical or political divides.
Perry underlines the importance of civic engagement and community action led by local entrepreneurs, developers, educators, and activists in driving measurable improvements in overall well-being, offering replicable, real-world solutions throughout. Through various case studies, Perry presents a compelling argument for reparations as both an investment and a corrective measure, and makes a profound connection between reparations and climate justice.
Expansive and groundbreaking, BLACK POWER SCORECARD is a vital contribution to the nation’s reckoning with structural inequality, providing a new and persuasive approach to addressing these critical issues. As Americans look for direction with President Trump’s return to power, BLACK POWER SCORECARD’s argument about the importance of focusing on substantive policy action over symbolism—emphasizing that the essence of Black power lies in collective efforts to rally behind policies that drive longevity—is particularly timely.
Andre M. Perry is the author of Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities. He is a senior fellow and director of the Center for Community Uplift at the Brookings Institution and a professor of practice of economics at Washington University in St. Louis. A nationally known and respected commentator on race, structural inequality, and education, Perry is a regular contributor to MSNBC and has been published by the New York Times, The Nation, the Washington Post, TheRoot.com, and CNN.com. Perry has also made appearances on HBO, CNN, PBS, NPR, NBC, and ABC. He lives in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
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Additional Early Praise for BLACK POWER SCORECARD
“Timely…. Necessary reading that offers clear and actionable ways to close the racial gap.” —Kirkus
“At a moment when our country feels divided, this book offers a powerful reminder of our shared hopes: safe neighborhoods quality schools, and opportunities to build better lives for ourselves and our families. It challenges us to rethink what true power means—not as something hoarded, but as systems that ensure these opportunities exist for everyone, in every community.” —John Legend
“By reframing the concept of ‘wealth’ and expanding the very definition of ‘power,’ Black Power Scorecard serves as a Black manifesto, a self-help manual, and a road map to a better future. Not only does Perry identify the symptoms of America’s most persistent social illness, he also writes a prescription.” —Michael Harriot, author of Black AF History
“Black Power Scorecard is a must-read. It is engaging, analytical, and presents common sense solutions, looking at homeownership, business creation, family formation, and geography as either forces for good, which will enhance Black self-determination and power, or as the means of stripping wealth from Black people, along with their voices and votes.” —Dorothy Brown, author of The Whiteness of Wealth
“Provides a much-needed survey of the state of Black power as we head into yet another critical moment in American politics. Through careful study and thorough research, Perry has created a blueprint for building collective power in our communities and a brighter future for the next generation.” —Kimberle Crenshaw, author of On Intersectionality
“Andre Perry’s work is that of an excavator, uncovering hidden treasures in the Black community, which include entrepreneurial potential, underappraised properties, and untapped health and vitality. In a country that once undermined Black progress at every turn, Black Power Scorecard offers a bold and optimistic vision.” —Jonathan Rothwell, author of A Republic of Equals
