African American EconomicDevelopment at Marshall University

A striking disparity in asset-poverty rates between African Americans and White Americans has been highlighted in a report from The Brookings Institution. It reveals that one in five African Americans have experienced asset poverty for three generations consecutively, a stark contrast to the situation for white Americans, where only one in a hundred faces similar challenges. This disparity is even more pronounced in areas like West Virginia, where the poverty rates for African Americans are the same or worse for whites. 

Governor Jim Justice announced a $1 million investment in the Center for Economic and Community Development during the 2023 State of State address. This funding is specifically aimed at supporting the African American community in Appalachia. This initiative, to be based at Marshall University, is designed to provide essential research and data infrastructure to assist Black businesses in West Virginia. Delegate Sean Hornbuckle, one of the few Black lawmakers in the West Virginia legislature and the current Democrat Minority Leader, played a pivotal role in bringing this idea to fruition, with support from Dr. Alan Letton of Letton Consulting.

Dr. Alan Letton, who serves as the Director and Visiting Scholar, leads the Center. The center aims to strengthen Appalachia through economic development, particularly focusing on the often-overlooked African American populations in the region. It seeks to develop research-based solutions to unique challenges these communities face, benefiting African American people and all isolated communities in Appalachia. Under Dr. Letton’s leadership, the center is positioned to leverage his expertise in corporate leadership, academic research, and community development.

Key Activities and Initiatives:

Cross-Disciplinary Research: Collaborating closely with target communities to develop economic and community profiles, particularly in West Virginia. This includes partnering with WV Community Hub for a research-based listening tour.

Programmatic Activities: The center will organize the Black WV Business Summit and initiate projects on entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Fairfield Community, focusing on sectors like women’s health & beauty, culinary, home maintenance, and repair.

Research Initiatives: These include utilizing New Market Tax Credits for development, identifying structural barriers to economic and community development, and working on projects like West Virginia Forward/A Black West Virginia Perspective.

Building Community Resources & Skills: Emphasis on project management skills for developing communities and partnerships for practical projects in neighborhoods like Fairfield in Huntington.

Special Topic Research Areas: Topics include barriers to homeownership, employment, entrepreneurship, food deserts, and solar energy usage in African American communities.

Education and Outreach: The ‘Great Voices’ series will bring influential voices  to the Marshall community, with Dr. William Turner as the inaugural scholar.

The center reports to the President’s Office through Toney Stroud in the Economic and Workforce Development Office at Marshall University.

The center offers a comprehensive approach to addressing economic and community development in Black Appalachia and isolated communities through research, programmatic activities, community engagement, and educational initiatives.

Upcoming Events: 

Black WV Business Summit: Part of the Bridging Innovation Conference, April 8-11, 2024, in Huntington.

Fairfield Community Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Development: Initiatives to be launched during the Bridging Innovation Conference, April 8-11, 2024.

The dates for other initiatives like cross-disciplinary research, research on the use of New Market Tax Credits, structural barriers identification, the West Virginia Forward project, community resources, skills development, and the creation of special topic research areas. 

The center is located at Marshall University, One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, W.Va.
Dr. Letton is contactable via phone at 304-696-2663 or 336-561-9556.

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