Black capitalism is a racial uplift tactic in which independent ownership and entrepreneurship are key to Black success. Shawn "Jay Z" Carter has become a spokesperson for this theory and has propagated it through his lyrics, business ventures, interviews, and actions. He has become synonymous with Black capitalist uplift, meritocracy, and the American Dream, sparking popular culture narratives and profiles that limit the influence of community organizers by masquerading as Black liberation leaders. Despite Jay Z and his followers dominating the popular narrative about Black success, other perspectives exist within the world of hip-hop, like that of Fatimah Nyeema Warner, professionally known as Noname, who promotes a socialist, community-based idea of what Black liberation would look like. In my paper, I argue that the Black capitalism-informed notion of racial uplift promoted by Jay Z and similar artists does not improve the Black community. Instead of adapting to capitalist propaganda, Black America ought to consider a new approach to what it means to find success.

Dr. Benjamin Looker has been an incredible aid and mentor to Taylor on her journey to completing her senior thesis. When she struggled with personal familial issues, Dr. Looker was incredibly accommodating and compassionate, constantly emphasizing empathy and grace in difficult times. The American Studies department empowers students to complete personally significant interdisciplinary research that is outside of the box and Dr. Looker is an incredible example of that philosophy.