African Americans Believe Education and Income Have Greatest Influence on Their Quality of Life According to Poll

Washington, DC - In a national poll of African American registered voters commissioned by Black America's Political Action Committee (BAMPAC), the majority of African Americans stated that education and income level had the greatest influence on their quality of life. The poll was conducted last month among 800 African American registered voters via phone by Wilson Research Strategies.

Forty-four percent (44%) of African American registered voters stated that education had the greatest influence on their quality of life in America while 34% stated that income level had the greatest influence of their quality of life. Only 14% of African Americans cited race as having the greatest influence of their quality of life in America.

In response to the poll findings, BAMPAC President and CEO Alvin Williams said, "As the poll results suggest, African Americans recognize and cite the tremendous influence that education and income level have on their quality of life in this country. The fact that race was not cited in large number does not by any means indicate that race does not have an impact on the quality of life, but it illustrates a shift in focus among African Americans where we look at race as having less of an overall influence on our quality of life when compared with education and income level. In this election year, this sends a message to the candidates that this segment of the electorate will elect the candidate that they feel will increase economic opportunities and enhance the educational options available."

Other key findings of the poll include:

* The most important issues to African Americans when choosing a candidate are the economy (34%); health care (12%) and education (11%)

* Parents (27%) and Music Artists (19%) are the most influential members of the African American community followed by Ministers (18%) and Teachers (14%)

* Sixty five percent (65%) of African Americans give their local public schools a grade of "C" or lower.

* Sixty-nine percent (69%) of African Americans believe that same sex marriages should not be legalized.

* Secretary of State Colin Powell is the most influential African American political figure. Powell earned this distinction from 38% of the respondents. Others listed included: Rev. Jesse Jackson (27%) and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice (8%).