The fate of black economic development in Columbia, Missouri, represents a microcosm of national trends. “For a variety of social and economic reasons,” Weems observes, “we literally see black businesses disappearing from the landscape of America.” Looking at the economic dimension of desegregation reveals a bitter irony that has animated much of Weems’ work. As a result of so-called desegregation, “on one level, we see white companies making great inroads among the African-American consumers,” he explains. “But we don’t see black companies being able to make similar inroads in the mainstream community.” In economic terms, this one-way situation is not true desegregation.

Examining the Nixon administration’s role in the unprecedented national discussion about black economic development in the 1960s reminds us of the continued relevance of such economic policies and discussions in America today. “In America— whether it’s right or wrong—it all comes down to money and economics,” Weems observes.