In 2008, the same year the first black president was elected, Maggie Anderson, a Oak Park resident, made a decision to help the black community in her own way and experiment with buying from strictly black-owned businesses.

Anderson spoke at Eastern to share the results of her project and the book it spawned, “Our Black Year: One Family’s Quest to Buy Black in America’s Racially Divided Economy” on Tuesday.

Anderson said the project began with general expectations that black residents were not supporting businesses in their own communities, but as the project continued, she learned more about how wide-spread the problem is.

“Out of one trillion dollars in buying power black communities have, three percent make it back to black communities,” Anderson said.

By not supporting local black businesses, community residents were turning their backs on businesses that were most likely to hire African Americans, Anderson said.

“The unemployment rate in black communities is three, four, even five times higher than the national average,” Anderson said. “If we remain the permanent underclass, it will be our fault.”

Anderson said her and her husband worried about the repercussions for the youngest members of their community who do not have role models in the business community the way they once did.

“We thought about how a black child can go their entire life without meeting one black business owner,” Anderson said. “Today that’s all gone, and what’s worse, is some people don’t care.”

Anderson said her family’s experiment buying from all black businesses was met with harsh criticism by some who accused them of racism.

“We’re not saying it’s black America versus white America,” she said. “‘Our Black Year’ says that we’re Americans too.”

Anderson said the project found success and prompted her and her husband to begin the Empowerment Experiment Foundation, dedicated to supporting black businesses and owners.

“I want to show it doesn’t take that much to be a revolutionary,” Anderson said. “You can have a wonderful life, but try to support businesses that turn out role models for our kids.”

Anderson said that even in a community without a black owned business, such as Charleston, residents can still take action in supporting black business.

“Do some research for the places you go to all the time,” Anderson said. “See if they’re doing anything to help underserved communities.”

Anderson was accompanied in her speech by the book’s co-author and Pulitzer Prize winning Eastern alumnus Ted Gregory, who began working with Anderson after being impressed with her integrity.

“I come into contact with a lot of people who can talk and blog and tweet,” Gregory said. “They decided they needed to talk the talk and walk the walk. I don’t see that very often.”

Gregory added that he was happy to be back at Eastern and was delighted to see the level of commitment to diversity on campus.

“It’s wonderful to be back under these circumstances,” Gregory said. “Seeing such support on campus underscores how open minded it is.”

Glenn Herring, a graduate student, said he was initially skeptical about partaking in a African American Heritage Month event, but found Anderson’s speech inspiring.

“It wasn’t a presentation, but a truth,” Herring said. “When we accept the truth we will move forward as a society.”

Anderson said she is hopeful for the future of her project and thinks the Empowerment Experiment will continue to bring attention to the needs of black communities.

“The Empowerment Experiment is working, that’s why I’m here today,” Anderson said.

“We can’t imagine now not doing something every day to support our community.”

Andrew Crivilare can be reached at 581-2812

or ajcrivilare@eiu.edu.