An interesting insight into life of African American elite.

This book was a chosen book club read. I thought the topic of the elite black in American history would be interesting and a subject that is not often discussed. Although I found some of the information worth while, it read more like a dissertation or senior thesis. There were many names and facts, and I found myself thumbing through chapters. For me, the book was short on substance. Maybe there just wasn't enough personal reflection or life stories that could keep me engaged.

what can you say about l.o.g. that isn't self evident. he's pretentious and so is this book but he performs a necessary service for white americans who often don't recognize class distinctions in black communities and, sadly, many of us who mistakenly think that our means, whether modest or middle, are all there is when it comes to black folks. there is more academic work on class distictions from the slave ship on but i wouldn't dismiss this book.

Lawrence Otis Graham has opened the door on a topic I lived through but did not completely understand until I became an adult. While on the surface, being in the Black upper class seemed like it was all about upward mobility, it was in fact, a multilayered, and complex path that African Americans identified to make their way into mainstream white America. Family lineage, complexion tone, passing the "brown paper bag" test and other factors led to the creation of separate society that allowed Black Americans to move forward unimpeded and obtain some semblance of the American Dream. It explains the importance of social clubs, Greek Society Organizations such as the Deltas and AKAs and other organizations that provided a way for blacks to meet other blacks like them, get their children into the right schools, and build influence within their community through professions such as Law, Medicine and Dentistry. This is the world of the black upper class and the focus of the first book written about the black elite by a member of this hard-to-penetrate group. The final chapter, on passing for white details the tough decisions some blacks made, the goal being to be treated like a respected and valuable member of this country and escape the pain of exclusion and oftentimes physical danger. A must read for those unaware of this class of Black Americans and those who desire to understand the another dimension of the American experience.

I was initially drawn to Lawrence Graham's book "Our Kind of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class" because the topic seemed very intriguing. Graham, who counts himself among the subject population, writes from a perspective of deep research combined with personal experience. The book covers a broad swath of areas and seems like an authoritative text on this not-much-discussed topic.

Graham discusses just about every facet of Black upper class life. One of the major themes that flows through the book is the ubiquity of classism within African-American culture. I guess classism is everywhere, but Graham conveys that it is especially prevalent within Black America. The Black upper class, Graham writes, is defined by the organizations that you are a part of, from kids organizations, to college fraternities, to adult associations. Graham continues that your associations, your skin color, and your pedigree are all very important in this relatively small community.

I liked the book, but I would say that the book felt too long. Graham quotes a lot from others and provides the text of conversations he has had with people he knows or has interviewed. It feels like the book could have been just as good at half the length. However, on the upside, Graham's research depth is evident, as the book is certainly a personal exploration for him. He provides an interesting point of view on this curious subject.

Although somewhat dated as it was written before Barak Obama even served in Congress, this is, nevertheless, an important look into a side of the story of race in America that we white people rarely get to glimpse. It is a long, well written, well researched book about the elite black families who maintain themselves apart from "urban blacks" and can be found raising their children in Jack and Jill while maintaining their own membership in adult clubs such as The Links, The Boulé, and The Girl Friends. Where do they live? Where do they school their children? Where do they vacation? Which HBCU do they send their kids to or do they send them to Harvard or Oberlin or Wellesley? Not all blacks can join their clubs, one has to be invited. Find out why Clarence Thomas isn't, nor is Colin Powell, but Vernon Jordan was as is his widow, Ann Dibble Jordan. Fascinating and educational. Audio book is extremely well narrated - its like listening to an old college friend full you in on what all the classmates are doing. Excellent reading for Black History Month.

Recommended by a friend in 2001 as a best-seller, and I was shocked however not surprised. This will remain a classic in the African-American struggle to overcome oppression as a race. I'm hoping a few generations later for a sequel.

As a member of the Black Elite, Lawrence Otis Graham has never had to wonder too hard about what makes them different. That is, until he has to help his mentor give his daughters a rich Black American experience. Now Graham takes us on a discovery of both the origins and the trappings of the America's Black Upper Class.

I had been looking for an audio recording of this book for years, and have only just managed to catch it as it became available on Libby through my local library. It's really eye-opening, but at the same time it just folds back into other stories like Elixabther Downing Taylor's The Original Black Elite, Isabel Wilkerson's Caste and The Warmth of Other Suns, and even Richard Rothstein's The Color of Law.

If you like rich black people, history from the view point of black people, or are an observer of the Black American Experience, then this one is for you.

I finished reading this book a couple of days ago. What a book! I liked it. I will confess that I was in a blabby mood when I chose it. I confess that I wanted to read a book that spilled the beans, that told secrets: a shallow gossip book about snobs and their bitter victims.

On the one hand, this book fulfilled my shallow reading wishes. Lawrence Otis Graham wrote this book with a campy and acidic flair. He did not leave a single elite soul out. The reading was sometimes hilarious in that he recorded everything (I do mean everything!!!) about these people: every black upper-class organization and the years they were founded, the names of the founders, cities where they were founded, elite families and notable ancestors, their churches, colleges, college degrees, careers, accomplishments, vacation spots, and scandals. AKAs, Deltas, cotillions, the Boule, and Martha's Vineyard, etc. Some pages contained nothing but the names of the socially-prominent. Nothing but names. This book often made for merry reading. Graham wanted to chat about rich folks and I loved it.

On the other hand, I sensed Graham's love for this group. He was proud of them, and I don't blame him. I saw no reason for shame. The black elite are people to revere. Why? Because Graham's "kind of people" are generationally well-educated, hard-working, reserved, and ambitious. As this book reveals, they occupy the fields of medicine, law, politics, education, and finance. They are socialites, intellectuals, activists, and entrepreneurs. They are the founders of hospitals and universities. Uplifters of the less fortunate. They are a determined people, and their elite status is well-earned.

I concur with Graham: successful African-Americans have to stop groveling and apologizing to the envious for their success. Success is the product of intelligence and effort. They are envied because they are superb, with a strong work ethic and can-do spirit. I am very proud of the black upper-class, even though I am not wealthy. I am a member of the black middle class. My relatives were accepted into the most popular Greek-letter organizations detailed in the book. My childhood was spent in kiddie versions of these clubs, and I was a debutante in high school.

The black elite is the ultimate American success story.

I was aware of the black aristocracy but not the rigid norms and practices that they placed on themselves. This book gave me greater understanding of why some things have occurred that I have been privy to encounter. However, to me the actual book was so long, and the repetition of names gave me pause in finishing it. But I did.

Although issues such as colorism and elitism are sometimes disconcerting to say the least, I found this book to be an incredibly well researched history of of the accomplishments of upper class black Americans.

As Atlanta historian Dr. Carole Merritt notes, "You cannot understand the history of black Atlanta or black America if you don't include its upper class. Only then will the story be complete."

AFTER ALMOST 19 HOURS OF AUDIOBOOK LISTENING I AM DONE. This was a very in depth, comprehensive dive into the Black elite history in the US that gives a glimpse into the usually insular group. I want to get the print copy so I can look at the photo additions!