I'm black grew up in a middle class suburb and most of family has a college degree my mother has her masters.I'm in college now for engineering. I know first hand how people can stereotype but I honestly just laugh and keep going on about my day.

I respect this Kid because he recognizes that he comes from privilege but doesn’t use it to look down upon other black people who didn’t grow up with his opportunity. He is looking to do his best to make change and create opportunities for black people who to succeed but were not given the opportunity. That is the best contribution the black upper class can make to move us forward.

I’m very proud to see Black Excellence!

AMEN! I am completely baffled by the reactions of others when African Americans do not fit the prototypical stereotypes. It's like they want us to always look bad no matter how many strides we make toward bettering ourselves. As an African American woman myself who is also an Ivy Leaguer, I know all too well the feelings of being labeled as a "charity case" when you have the same, if not better, grades, scores, and curriculum vitae as your fellow peers...it hurts :-(

People always used to(still do today) think that I was rich just because my parents drove nice cars, or just because I wore purses that just so happened to match my outfits. My family is not rich, but we are a part of the upper middle class. Being rich and upper-middle class are two different things to me.

I don't get it. I'm reading the comments...racist comments on a video about the black upper-class. What made you come watch the video if you have such hatred in your heart for us? Why?

I agree. There was a show a few years back called "Baldwin Hills" that showcased the lives of well-to-do blacks in that part of Los Angeles but the show eventually got cancelled due to low ratings. Shame.

Damn I wish I had a opportunity like them. Guess more hard work for me.

She has money in her family from generations that date back to the 1850. Millions, listen to the interview again and observe the pictures of people in her family dating back to 1800s. Some people can not understand this concept because they don't have that kind of history in their family. Believe it of not there is such a thing as old money and new money among Black Americans.

I live in Loudoun county, VA the richest single family income county in America. Most of the population as you guessed is white. Its crazy cause when they see me a lot of them get scared. It was so hard for me at one point to just be who I wanted to be because of the sterotypes, if I wanted to do good in school I was labeled trying to be white, if I did bad I was labeled a gangster and "cool." The HOA moved us out of our neighborhood, the cops were called on my brother for cleaning up our dogs poop in the backyard (smh). When we were selling our house in a upper class neighborhood the guy who wanted to see the house asked me "Are you the house keeper?" the list goes on and on I deal with it everyday at work too, they call me names like suck up because I work hard. I can go for days... Over the years and with the help of Jesus Christ, I have realized to just BE YOURSELF! People are going to judge you for doing good, they are going to judge you for being bad. So just do good and don't worry about what anybody thinks of you. Believe me I've been there! P.S, I'M HAPPILY ENGAGED TO A BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMEN!!!

The Tuxedo Ball sounds like a great idea for college students to network with professionals and all. Unfortunately, my mother (rest in peace) wasn't wealthy and my father isn't wealthy, however, I think Dr. Miles should extend invites to the Tuxedo Ball to underprivileged college students too so that they can get connections to the professional world.

Buying a sports car is no achievement to boast of, perhaps a house or land would be a greater achievement. Priorities.

The black version of Asian Indian families. This formula obviously works

I think that kind of positive encouragement needs to happen more.

Not all black Americans struggle! And for your info, these people are not rich folk! They're just upper middle class blacks. Don't confine the black culture as just a struggling or urban culture.

It's refreshing to see a story on a segment of Black America that is largely ignored. It shows society that we are more than entertainers and athletes. Some of us do, in fact, become successful through education. I do, however, think that "Black Tuxedo" type foster a sense of elitism. I think these types of events should be extended to Black youth from all walks of life.

I am happy for you. I am rich in common sense, love for others, and happy, I started from the bottom. No onetells me who I am, for I am highly blessed.

I appreciate you sharing your experience. Thanks for telling your story.

Exclusionism has always been practiced in wealthy black communities. These people aren't new. They've always been part of the problem. Instead of trying to eradicate black poverty, they straddle alongside it since it's not them.

And how do you know? First of all, 98% of African-Americans have European admixure, no matter what social class. You can never tell the ancestry of someone just by looking at them. I am a dark-skinned black American, have a Ph.D, $167,000 salary, and proud to be black!

This type of information needs to be disseminated more widely as an inspiration to young Black people. For most of them, the only image of wealthy Black people they see are rappers and sports stars for men. The wealthy women are either married to them, or they are in entertainment, oftentimes strutting around half naked and dancing like strippers.

That's why I support this Black in America series. We need to move away from the prevalent Single Story of what Black America is.

Beautiful.

I am a poor black with no criminal background. I would like to say cnt we all just get along. love one another. not to look down on one another and respect each other. help the image of black america not destroy it. lets unite not divide. end this hatred.

I used to have a problem with Black elites until I read a book titled Our Kind of People. There has been a hierarchy within every group of people since before we the living were shot out of our mother's box. It's not right to criticize people living well and striving for more. The Black American experience is very diverse. There is a part of me that likes the fact that Black Americans share a certain something that is uniquely us.

Members of the Black Upper Class -Blanche K. Bruce, James Wormley, Robert Reed Church, John Francis Cook, George F.T. Cook, John F. Cook Jr, Douglass Syphax, colonel John Mckee, Francis Grimke, Henry Grimke, James Forten, PBS Pinchback, John Mercer Langston (related to Langston Hughes), Mary Church Terrell (heiress and socialite), Charles B. Purvis, Josephine Wormley, Henry Mckee Minton, Josephine St. Pierre, John Locks, Richard Dereef, Benjamin N. Cardozo, Francis Cardozo, Nathan F. Mossell,

I am African-American and grew up in an upper-middle class household (what many in this program consider upper-class, but to me upper-class = Rockefeller, Astor etc.) and am still upper-middle class with the grace of God, education, perseverance etc. I do not support nor agree with holding exclusionary events made for only those “within the circle”.

I always knew this existed I just sawl it though

Checked his linkden went to Howard law

Sing it loud black man !!!

Great video!!!

I am a new subscriber. I am poor man's son, I did 6 years, in college. Yeah I have a masters, but I am most proud that I am a poor man's son. Father black mother black it makes me twice as black.

Great video

Very happy to see this.

Every ethnic group (whites ethnic groups included) stratifies itself into social classes-it's natural-but it's more complicated for blacks (and presumably latinos) because the distance between the average and the 'extra' 'ordinary' is so great that finding common ground is very difficult. People think and expect a college education to be the great equalizer but I don't think it is. Coming from a humble background and attaining great (financial?) success seasons a person's character differently than being born into an accomplished family lineage. I don't preference one over the other btw.

Lawrence O. Graham’s Our Kind of People covered the values and aesthetics of this group extensively. Unfortunately, appeasement and acquiescence to white anglo saxon culture acts more as a impediment towards the black mainstream. This esteemed group considers itself the one percent of within the black social hierarchy and social structure. It’s not centered on money. It’s centered and built upon bourgeois traditions whose roots trace to a segregated United States. The emphasis on charitable service and education are highly valued. Dr. Martin Luther King despite his piety and humbleness would be considered a member of this group.

No problem, dude. Thanks for the chat. You have a good day, man. :)

These are the financially stable families who could of contributed Knowledge and Resources in Africa to help future generations of children of African descent grow with more to offer the world themselves, than they ever thought possible Think Globally to affect real change..Unity Worldwide

I feel know how ya feel bro I'm from tx too lol, and most of the upperclass ppl I met black and white are kinda snobbish

I agree. Here in England my family are part of the aristocracy (upper class) but we aren't actually rich. We have our house worth millions, been in the family for centuries but it's falling apart and we can't even afford heating. This documentary is very interesting but personally I would class these people as upper middle class. I don't think America has an aristocracy (well except descendants from founding fathers)

Right now I'm getting my a BA BA in Biology and Chemistry. One day I will join these people...when I become a doctor.

Let's respect our economic and cultural differences as a people and realize that we can help each other.

Black Upper Class Part 3: Allston. Lattimore, Ruffin, Trotter, Ridley, Chappelle, Wolfe, Lee, Elliot, St. Pierre, Creed, Duplex, Lathhrop, Bassett

we can't choose where we are from... my brothers and sistas we must remember no matter how far we go that we must stay committed to our cause of progressiveness. I'm from lower class and have friends of the wealthy class but black is something that will never go away. Let this be a blueprint for those who feel excluded

NOBODY HAS HELPED ME. I HAD TO DO IT BY MY SELF WITH NO HELP OR MOTIVATION FROM ANYONE.

I'm sorry, I laughed when I heard that someone called this dude an epithet. It is hilariously outta line to call anyone that. How did that dude not get fired???

I obviously know that we are every hue, every hair type blah blah blah @ Sheri Serthe - your last line, and I quote, "Be proud of who you are" is PRECISELY MY POINT! If only...

I guess. But the problem is that everything about a person, from personal preferences, to outwardly appearance, plays a part in external identity. And based on how a person feels about that, they may try to fit an internal identity based upon that external identity. Then there are factors like , social upbringing and the kinds of values taught and reinforced.

Very true. This shows that not every person of a certain race will follow suit upon stereotypes and such. So I guess it shouldn't be viewed as a disappointment at all. Yeah. I take it back. I didn't think of it that way. Thanks.

I wish more blacks were as successful as those portrayed in the video. Education and opportunity is key. For those who give back to the poorer ones in teaching them how to build wealth and values good on them.

She comes from old money, nothing like Beyonce. Her linage is form the 1850's which means well connected with other families of the same wealth.

Although I am very much aware of these events and have attended them in the past, I am a strong supporter of egalitarian ventures and events that promote and champion inclusion. Please know that not ALL African-American's of this background and social standing don't think like this. We are not a monolith.

@lx0az9 My sister works with many Africans who come from wealthy families in Africa. One of her clients hates the US because she cannot employ someone to drive her around for $1.00 a day, in the US as she can in Africa. Yes, this African person who is upper class employs a lower class African to work for her. Class or socio economic separation is not a solely European practice...

And who decides what blacks are allowed to have and have not? When a race / culture has been seperated and redistributed , to various cities and countries. The programming and developmental process experience of learning have been designed to create a disconnected pride, without having the dignity which is to be respected and not rejected.

Well said. I think another point to emphasise is that not all millionaires are in the public eye - her analogy seems to based on people like Beyoncé.

We are a very diverse people and there has always been wealthy blacks historically. The many shades of black run deep in America and some of the wealthy are afraid of the negativity surrounding the history of their families wealth for generations and how it was obtained. It's a complicated story that many don't want to discuss or deal with publicly due to it's political nature.

where can i watch this

Have you ever been to ANY country in Africa? Black comes in all shades.

Personally, I think its the blacks own fault for reinforcing their own stereotype about "ghetto" this and "gangster" that. I think if the community as a whole begins to improve themselves, and work together to destroy that stereotype, then this world would be much better for them. This is a great example of blacks who want to change that perception and better themselves. A truly beautiful thing here. A song that comes to mind is the song "Us" by ice cube.

Black Upper Class: -Wormleys owned the Wormley Hotel in Washington DC -Syphaxes were descended from Martha Washington and wealthy land owners who owned 15 or 17 acres of land which later became part of Arlington graveyard -Shadd: caterers -Francis: caterers -Gray: caterers -Locks: Hack and funeral business in Baltimore -Crum Mclennen, Kinloch, Dereef all owned slaves -Lewis: tailor -Clouston: Banker/ planter -Church: landowners, real estate, -Howard: undertaking -Mars: caterer

Black upper class again: Forten: sailmaking, Caterers of Philiadelphia include Appo, de Baptist, LeCount, Minton, Mckee, Bustill, Prosser, Bowser Jones, and Bogle who basically invented the industry of catering in America.

my question to Dr.Miles is why cant the the tuxedo ball be opened to sophisticated african american youth that are aspiring to do well & be successful?

I am white, I find this documentary very interesting. It is a real shame though that there are some black people who feel insecure about their beautiful dark tan skin. I am sure as years go on, attitudes will change.

This is a non issue. I went to a school which you pay £30,000 a year. My parents are wealthy and I am black. In my year out of hundreds of students there were only two black kids, just two. I remember in assembly sometimes, when the teacher would talk about poverty in parts of africa, all the kids would look at me as if I had just come over as an asylum seeker. People asked me dumb questions constantly. This crap shouldn't be news, it is what it is. You get ignorant nugget heads in all walks of life. It's up to you to let what tripe they have to say offend you or not. There's people in life who have it a lot harder than I ever have or this dude ever has. He should chill out and CNN should report on real issues and not such trivial nonsense like this

Wow I guess it depends on where and how you live your life. As for myself, I wake up every day and think to myself "black is beautiful". The reason why is that I know my family history and the history of Black America, its a beautiful history brother, in spite of the racism, we did what we needed to do, through education and success and building wealth. When you are told each day how great of a person you are because those before you were great people, you have a different out look on live.

Oprah is new money as compared to over 100 years of wealth in the family. I should know.

again, not true. Black billionaires, millionaires come in all shades, including blue Black. stop spreading ignorance.

Years of wealth in the family passed down counts very much. It can, but not as much today decide if you actually belong.

I AM A LAW STUDENT AND I'M ALMOST DONE WITH SCHOOL, I ALREADY OWN SEVERAL BUSINESSES AND I JUST BOUGHT MY FIRST SPORTS CAR. DON'T JUDGE THE BOOK BY THE COVER MY FRIEND.

Ah, you're right. I didn't think of it that way. Well, I guess I'd be a white cuban hispanic.

I didn't mean to make it seem like I was trying to single out rap music as the only genre that contains negative messages. There are plenty of other songs and genres that have negative messages like Ozzy Osbourne's "Suicide Solution". And yeah, you're right. When you're not growing up around positive influences and mainly grow up with negative ones, that's what happens to you. It's unfortunate, but it happens. Well, I have a better perspective of why things are the way they are. Thanks :)

Very true. Very very true. But it's so difficult not to expect the stereotype to always be true when there are so many supporters of such stereotypes. I try to keep an open mind. But it's difficult when real life portrayals hit me time and time again. i simply haven't met enough positive black people. Which is a true shame.

no problem, and sorry for coming off as harsh as i did earlier

YES!!!!!....

btw I was reading an article yesterday, about the vanderbilts, they're like an upperclass American family? well apparently one of their ancestral homes is collapsing. I guess we are moving into a new era, one where mansions are no longer sustainable. land has little value these days, compared to hundreds of years ago. unless ofc the land is in a central city like newyork, lol.

What??? LMFAO!!!!! Good luck with that one.

This is old, but I wish I didn't wear my cap backwards. I can be just as black wearing my baseball cap like the people around me and my environment and represent people who are going where I'm going.

I am aware of all the points you mentioned. My point was that It would have been positive to see some dark skinned black Americans (who have 50-150 mill) or western people of the African diaspora in this clip.

I DIDN'T GET A INVITE, THAT PISSES ME OFF. I'M CURRENTLY IN THE HOOD STRUGGLING TO GET. NOBODY HAS HELPED ME!

In America in the 1800s and early 1900s if you could send your son's and daughter's to college then you were apart of the upper class, because that's only who went to college doing that time. As the upper middle class and middle class expanded college was a privilege for all.

You have it wrong, mediocre people is not the middle class. Mediocre is the lower and underclass.

you need these type of shows to reduce to the stereotypes. and how do you know they don't help the community? don't assume.

is the audio lagging, or is it my pc?

He's cute.

The audio is off.

Very true. And it's sad that its become this way. But I cannot help but remark on my negative experiences with blacks as well. I know not all Blacks are the same. That's ridiculous. But I feel that this media that shows these images and media created cultures does affect the black community in some great way. Otherwise, I would not be confronted with that reality almost everytime I come across an interaction. I know that things are never what they seem, but...

I disagree, We always hear about our struggles but never hear about the successes of our people in American Society. It is something to be proud of and it helps our people and others to see we are not just the stereotypical people you see in Film, BET, VH1 and the Media most of the time. This is another Segment of Black Society and Culture that they don't want to show and most people don't know.

Pretty much. Dr. James Manning had me almost catching the holy ghost talking bout how black folks racist towards each other.

Black Upper Class Families Part 2: Desverney, Scarborough, Howard, Rucker, Lyons, Towns, Crogman, Forten, Augustin, Appo, de Baptist, Le Count, Adger, Minton, Mckee Bustill, Bogle, Prosser, Warrick,Jones, Stevens, Cromwell, Dorsey, Mossell, Tanner, Alexander, Durham, Ten Eyck, Van Vranken, Downing, Reason, Ray, Peterson, Eato, Scratton, Lansing, Mars, Guignon, Liverly, Stewart, Dupree, Hayden, Walker, Baldwin*, Epps* *Distant Cousins of mine

Maybe his teacher was paula deen

Statistics show blacks who grow up wit money don't go to jail as much and compliance school So the experience is a bit different but I enjoy this video

I'm hispanic, first and foremost. Furthermore, I like what you said there. "because it's constantly stacked". I really like that. People really need to stop using these political cards and just get along. I mean, I know it's tough to get over what's happened to recently.(yeah 50-200 years can still greatly affect a generation and I say that's pretty recent) I just hope I can grow old in an age where people get along....

the brother in the video spoke of adopting the cultural practices of the majority community..adopting the practices of the majority community whether it be the elite or not comes in all spectrums such as joining their greek fraternities( last time i checked we were not greek) or imitating their image( various color weaves and wigs) so lets not pick and choose what we adopt....anyone on youtube can form their own club and invite whoever they want into their circle..if these people dont want to accept others then its their right...thats not being elitist thats mingling with people who have similar ways of thinking and acting..hell im not rich but you dont have to be to understand that concept..blacks are diverse and we always hate to be typecast but we are the first to do it to ourselves....if you are not struggling enough or angry enough you arent black enough which is stupid as if one sees the image of a black when one googles poverty... then I guess Mansa Musa or any other ruler Builder or creator of great African empires were not black enough because they damn sure did not speak with ignorance nor did they have a ratchet mindset because if they did then Timbuktu would never have been the great university it was in its time...instead of criticizing the upper class blacks emulate their path to success...and actually their recipe for success is just plain hard work and sacrifice...

This is proof that any one can make it no matter what color or race, people in this country need to stop limiting themselves and let the system hold them down

Very interesting. But some of these are very common black names. I'm sure not everybody (or even a sizeable portion of ppl) with the last name of Johnson, Brown, Peterson or Jones is a member of the black elite, lol

Isn't this wonderful?

Students play Betty Crockett??? For real???

Trust fund also which btw, you do not have to be rich to invest in one.

@LUVJONZ99 As to wealthy Africans it's nice to know there is such a class. I do not know very much about wealthy modern Africans (although I do know something of African history). I also know that wealthy ppl from third wld countries adopt the taste and preferences of ppl in the western industrialized countries which they use to exploit there own ppl.

I'm black and but I was not from a wealthy family. I did go to college and graduated and I have a decent paying job. I have been called "uppity" because of the way I speak.