to her neighborhood a few years back, when it was on the cusp of change, and has watched its value multiply over a relatively short period of time. She currently rents an apartment, but in the next year she plans to buy a house and is looking to spend around $400,000. During her 12 years in Washington, D.C., Wambu says that she also has seen the cost of living escalate.
Wambu’s job provides many opportunities to socialize— often with the nation’s most influential business and political leaders. “It is unique to find the number of African Americans that you see at these power restaurants, and [it’s] also extremely encouraging,” she says.
—Joyce Jones
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ATLANTA
“Hotlanta” continues its legendary draw in business, housing, and education. Atlanta moved to the top of the list, driven primarily by respondents’ high level of satisfaction with entrepreneurial opportunities, earnings potential, and cultural activities. Future job growth is strong at 23%—the highest of the entire 10 finalists. Atlanta is home to a high number of black-owned businesses.
African Americans make up 61% of Atlanta’s population. U.S. Census data reveals that the metropolitan area’s black population increased by more than 38% between 1990 and 2000. “Most cities would die to have that problem,” counters Atlanta’s first woman and first black female mayor, Shirley Franklin. Stepping up to the challenge of addressing the city’s infrastructure needs brought on by the population boom, City Hall approved $3.3 billion for water and sewer system expansion, $73 billion for transportation upgrades, and a $5.5 billion expansion of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
On a negative note, Atlanta metro has been labeled one of the worst cities for crime. The violent crime rate for the city is more than four times higher than the rate for Atlanta metro and surrounding urban areas. In 2002, Police Chief Richard J. Pennington was recruited from New Orleans and appointed by Franklin. Under his leadership, the violent crime rate dropped 15% in 2003 and another 6% in the first quarter of 2004.
On a positive note, the southern hub houses some of the wealthiest enclaves of African American families, coming in fourth for incomes topping $100,000. Over a third of black Atlantans have an annual household income of more than $50,000, second to Washington, D.C., on BE’s list. More than 55% of black Atlantans are homeowners.
“The fact that we have several Fortune 500 companies here gives African American professionals ample opportunities to have very successful careers and rise to high levels within those corporations,” says Ray M. Robinson, president of East Lake Golf Club, whose community renewal program is a model for troubled neighborhoods.
As Mayor Franklin sees it, Atlanta is “a hot economy in every sector—public and private.” —N.S.
Main Industries
Banking, financial services, publishing, electronics, and government services
Landmarks
The King Center; The AU (Atlanta University) Center
Annual Events
National Black Arts Festival; Fall (Football) Classics
B.E. Industrial/Service 100 Companies
Herman J. Russell & Co., The Gourmet Companies, Sanderson Industries, Inc.
Top Black Officials
Shirley Franklin, mayor; Richard Pennington, police chief; Beverly L. Hall, school superintendent; John Lewis, U.S. Rep.; Brad Hubbert,