Lack of economic progress in America

By most measures the economic progress of black America has stalled in the past twenty years. Blacks have failed to close the wage and employment gap, even controlling for educational attainment. Moreover, the wealth gap between blacks and whites is wider than ever — by some estimates 20 to 1 in favor of whites. Blacks constitute about 12 percent of the U.S. population, yet account for less than 1 percent of GDP. This is surprising, given the progress blacks have made in other aspects of American life: blacks are widely represented in politics, art, religion, sports and entertainment. Blacks can vote and are no longer subjected to de jure discrimination. What, then, accounts for their lack of economic progress in America? And, more importantly, what steps can black Americans take to grow wealth for themselves and make important contributions to America economic success?