by Maria Lloyd

Last year, the Your Black World Network launched a poll asking its readers a burning question: Are you happy with the state of black leadership in America? A staggering 85 percent of poll respondents said they were either unhappy or extremely unhappy with the current state of affairs. Following the recent injustices that have occurred over the past year in Black America, a slew of African-Americans are continuing to ask “Where are our Black leaders?”

Here’s the answer: Black leadership is in you, me, your spouse, your neighbor, your son, your daughter… Do you see where I’m going with this? Depending on Min. Louis Farrakhan, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Dr. Cornel West, and Dr. Boyce Watkins to solve all of Black America’s problems is, quite frankly, silly. While the aforementioned Black leaders are absolutely to be held at a higher standard of leadership because they represent the voices of Black America at a national and international level, it is silly to assume that they will be able to single-handedly eradicate poverty, high unemployment, poor education, poor health, lack of wealth, and crime in their lifetime. Anyone who believes these men should be able to conquer these massive issues in our community in their lifetime is asking for a leadership from an immortal, not leadership in the form of a mortal being.

Instead of spending our energy complaining about Black leadership, or lack thereof, we must channel these feelings to find the Black leader in all of us. Black leadership is needed in four areas: Wealth, Education, Family, and Community. Whichever area you choose to focus on is contingent upon where your passion lies. There are people — young and old — who are working diligently and tenaciously to solve pressing matters in the Black community. When was the last time you reached out to lend a helping hand? Or better yet, when was the last time you reached out to sponsor a cause? The Your Black World Network offers resources to help all of us channel the spirit of leadership that lies within us.

For this weekend only, the Your Black World Network is bringing you the Better Black America bundle package, which is comprised of a book, a CD, and DVDs built to channel and ignite the spirit of Black leadership in all of us. Five people can not combat the problems facing an entire nation of people without the help of leaders on every block in Black America.

Click here for more information about the Better Black America bundle package.