Amazon.com Review
Author Fran Harris contends that the African American relationship with money contributes to many of this ethnic group's social dilemmas. In an easy-to-read, down-to-earth book of advice, Harris (author of
About My Sister's Business: The Black Woman's Road Map to Successful Entrepreneurship), dispels common black misconceptions about money, such as "Too much money is risky/bad," and "I'm supposed to be poor." Her goal is to help African American kids develop healthier financial patterns, and she suggests teaching kids about money as soon as they can walk--explaining the difference between needs and wants, how to identify coins, and where money comes from. Preschoolers should have piggybanks and chores, Harris believes, and
In the Black details ways to organize your family life to include them. Harris also addresses the issue of gang and drug money, and the seductive risks they present, even to tiny children. Information is provided on budgeting, banking, taxes, and investing, and how to handle stealing, losing possessions, allowances, and allowance penalties. In her chapter on teens, Harris focuses on rules, independence, and understanding, and gives specific advice about cars, phones, and credit cards. Chapters on family finance, entrepreneurship, college, and what to do "when they come back home" round out this excellent resource for establishing solid financial values in kids.
In the Black would be useful to parents of all races.
--Ericka Lutz
About the Author
Fran Harris, author of
About My Sister's Business, is the former president of Nouveau Sports Marketing. A member of the WNBA's 1997 championship basketball team, the Houston Comets, she has been a speaker, actor, screenwriter, and ESPN color analyst. Featured in
Essence and
Emerge, Harris was a 1995 nominee for
Inc.'s Entrepreneur of the Year and Austin's Most Powerful Woman awards. She lives in Austin, Texas.
