Stephan Soliman
Professor Hebert Johnson
AFR-121
3-2-1 Exercise: Black Leadership In The Twenty-First Century-Donald Cunningen

3 Things I Learned:

1. According to the article “Black Leadership In The Twenty-First Century” written by Donald Cunnigen I learned that at the time of the Katrina disaster, New Orleans was a city defined by several decades of black leadership. More precisely, an original black leadership at the highest level derived from various elements of the descendants of an elite “Creole of Color” community that still is a distinct identifiable group within a southern city that has always prided itself on its diversity. Beginning with Ernest “Dutch” Morial, serving 1978-1986, the Crescent City’s black community developed into a powerful political force. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s onslaught, blacks were found in all aspects of city government, including the offices of mayor, city council (3 of 7 members), police chief, district attorney, judiciary, and other areas of city government. This leadership was complemented by national political figures such as Representative William Jefferson. The 67percent black population made such political gains a reality. (Black Leadership In The Twenty-First Century, Cunnigen, pg.25)

2. Also, what I learned that was based on this article was that the idea of black leaders, particularly “a” black leader, has been a part of the black American social discourse throughout American history. In 1903, W.E.B. DuBois wrote an interesting commentary regarding black leadership. He suggested that the black community would be saved by its exceptional men and women. He believed the best of the race would guide the masses.
This view of the exceptional leaders within the community was a part of his “Talented Tenth” approach to black leadership. Although DuBois’ notion of the enlightened intellectual was a