...the words black, Afrocentric, African-American, or even Negro appears in a book, news report, or research study’s title, it does not necessarily mean that the same message about African-Americans is being sent or that there is unified definition of what it means to be a successful African-American or simply to be a successful human being. Such an assumption would be as ridiculous as thinking that A Tale of Two Cities and Bright Lights, Big City had a universal statement to make about life in a city. The same may be said regarding the "economic empowerment" of African Americans and African American communities, especially in comparison with white Americans. In some circumstances, even the most minimal examples of forward movement can be defined as success. However, it is also important to consider issues related to the true impact of any particular effort, as well as its long term results....