The Top 10 Cities for African American Professionals series returns this week with city number six. The list delivers information such as crime rate, buy cialis employment opportunities, story and institutions of higher education of a city. The purpose of this list is to provide people with an opportunity to receive an overview of the city without looking all over the internet.
Last week, ask Raleigh was featured. Urban Views Weekly looked into the second largest city in North Carolina and saw that it was a city that cared a lot for the welfare of its people, both physically and mentally. The top two industries in Raleigh were healthcare and education. Raleigh is also a part of a three-pronged research area known as Research Triangle Park. This week, the spotlight is on a city that never sleeps, New York City.
The list:
- Washington, D.C.
- Houston, Texas
- Atlanta, Ga.
- Dallas, Texas
- Raleigh, N.C.
- New York City, N.Y.
- Charlotte, N.C.
- Indianapolis, Ind.
- Columbus, Ohio
- Jacksonville, Fla.
Info and numbers from cities taken from the United States Census Bureau website (census.gov) and city-data.com.
New York City
Gender percentage: Female 52.5 percent; Male 47.5 percent
Median Age: 35.5 years old
Percentage of African Americans: 25.5 percent
As the nation’s largest city and the eighth largest city in the world, New York has plenty to offer African Americans. The city that never sleeps has many cultural districts, arts venues, museums and attractions to visit. Like one of the earlier cities listed, New York is an alpha city, meaning it plays an important role in the global economy. Indeed, New York plays an important role as the technology, financial, and cultural spheres of the world.
As far as its appeal to African Americans, the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn, as well as the neighborhood of Harlem, are hubs for Black life in the city. Black owned businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues are prevalent in these parts of town. The Historic Apollo Theater, which still holds events to this day, is one of the most famous theaters found in New York.
Percentage of those with Bachelor’s Degree or higher: 34 percent
Of course, New York City has some of the best colleges and universities in the nation. From Columbia, New York University, and Fordham University to the Fashion Institute of Technology, it’s clear New York is a great place for higher education. The city does have one historically black college, and a very young one at that. Medgar Evers College is one of the 11 senior colleges that is part of the City University of New York (CUNY). Located in Brooklyn and founded in 1970, MEC offers Reserved Officer Training Corps(ROTC) scholarships for those who would like to serve in the Armed Forces after receiving their bachelor’s degree. MEC is also known for its co-curricular and external programs such as the Male Development and Empowerment Center, the Center for Women’s Development, the Center for Black Literature and The DuBois Bunche Center for Public Policy. Each of these programs offers lifestyle lessons for students through workshops and community partnerships.
Average Salary: $51,865
Top Industries (according to Forbes.com): Financial Services, Media Communications, Technology
Being an alpha city, New York plays a crucial role in the global economy. Companies such as Verizon Communications, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., and Time Warner Cable are located in the city. In the area of financial services, New York is home to Wall Street, the most famous financial district in the nation. This district is also home to the New York Stock Exchange, the world’s largest stock exchange. The average salary of someone working on Wall Street, according to slate.com is $360,700.
In the fields of technology and media communications, New York is home to some of the world’s largest and most famous media organizations. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., Viacom Inc., and CBS Broadcasting Inc. are all located in New York City. Each of these companies hires the top talent in the world to work for them. The average salary of someone in this field is $75,000 to $500,000 (nymag.com).
Crime Rate (Robberies per 100, 000): 240.8
While New York provides many opportunities for a diverse range of individuals, many movies depict it as a rough place to live. However, the city was ranked number seven on Bloomberg’s 50 Best Cities. In 2013, New York City had 14,382 violent crimes and 36,967 property crimes. There were also a reported 99 murders, 311 rapes, 5,022 robberies and 8,950 assaults.
In conclusion …
New York City has plenty to offer young African American professionals. Its many cultural districts provide an avenue for entertainment and engaging with a diverse group of people. The young historically black college, Medgar Evers College, provides young people of color with the tools needed to become competitive professionals of the future. It also offers off campus program initiatives that help students give back to the community. New York has been ranked as a top city for jobs, living, and entertainment. While this may be true, it is highly competitive. For someone to excel in this city, they’ll need an ambitious attitude and perseverance.
