A Pathway to American Renewal - by Robert L Woodson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A celebration of resilience: the inspiring story of how Black America survived unimaginable odds and an examination of the real challenges it faces today.

This challenging and inspiring collection of essays constructively frames the story of Black America--not as a tragedy involving helpless victims, but as a model for the nation. Scholars and grassroots leaders recount the history--the gritty, painful, but often triumphant account of what blacks accomplished after slavery was ended. Denied access to the institutions of white America, they built their own churches, schools, hotels, and a host of other successful enterprises. Their resilience produced amazing increases in literacy, family formation, and income.

Today's unsung grassroots leaders are the living evidence of the power of resilience. They use their stories of overcoming adversity and their own fallibility to help others. The organizations they create heal their communities.

This volume presents the insights of scholars who warn of the dangerous forces that threaten to shackle the ability of blacks to succeed today. They warn that, by accepting the notion that black adversity continues to be the product of systemic racism and is therefore unchangeable, no one would need to step up to the realities of a responsible life. This kind of thinking has led to lowering standards in education and even in the judicial system. The scholars outline positive paths to the future.

More than chapters to be passively read, A Pathway to American Renewal is an invitation and a promissory note that points directly to what American renewal might really involve.

About the Author

Robert L. Woodson, Sr. is Founder and President of the Woodson Center. He is an influential leader on issues of poverty alleviation and empowering disadvantaged communities to become agents of their own uplift. Woodson is a frequent advisor to local, state and federal government officials as well as business and philanthropic organizations.

His social activism dates back to the 1960s, when as a young civil rights activist he developed and coordinated national and local community revitalization programs. During the 1970's he directed the National Urban League's Administration of Justice division. Later he served as a Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He is the recipient of the prestigious John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship award, the Bradley Prizes presented by the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the Presidential Citizens Medal, the 2018 William Wilberforce Award, The Heritage Foundation's 2020 Salvatori Prize for American Citizenship, Hillsdale College's Freedom Leadership Award, and many other awards and honors.