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African-American Land Tenure and Sustainable Development: Eradicating Poverty and Building Intergenerational Wealth in the Black Belt Region

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Throughout the world, especially in areas of persistent poverty, many advocates believe that land ownership coupled with sustainable economic development are key to eliminating poverty, especially in rural areas but also indirectly in urban centers. An economically viable rural America helps reduce outmigration. In many cases, well- paying jobs and affordable housing in large cities are still relatively scarce for those without sufficient education or marketable skills. While land ownership is important for sustainable economic development, the impact and value of African-American land ownership is often ignored by policymakers in the United States. However, there is a long tradition within the African-American community itself that views land as key to economic and political independence.

Parent Publication

Citation

Pennick, Edward “Jerry”; Rainge, Monica. 2019. African-American Land Tenure and Sustainable Development: Eradicating Poverty and Building Intergenerational Wealth in the Black Belt Region. In: Gaither, Cassandra J.; Carpenter, Ann; Lloyd McCurty, Tracy; Toering, Sara, eds. Heirs’ property and land fractionation: fostering stable ownership to prevent land loss and abandonment. June 15, 2017, Atlanta, GA. Tech. Rep. SRS-244. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station2: 93-97.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/62094