I’ve heard some optimistic old folks say, NEVER give up on the youth, and while I am not exactly decrepit or a spring chicken I often have to be reminded just how amazing our youth are!

A new report by Nielson entitled “Young Connected and Black: African American Millennials Are Driving Social Change and Leading Digital Advancement,” gives us a boost and a hint at strong hope for black youths and the role they will play in the future.

Some amazing things, between 2014 and 2015 the report says there has been an 86% is young blacks internet access, with 91% now connected. Tech savviness, mobile device use and amazing people spearheading social media campaigns have created driven, socially aware, creative black youth.

71% of African-American kids enrolled in college in 2014, over 59% up from 2013. High school dropout rates went from 21% in 2004 to 16% in 2014.

Between 2007 – 2014 majority-black-owned business grew by 34%.

All this is absolutely amazing news and really gives a sliver of hope when scanning what seems like a dire situation for blacks in America.

The report starts:

African-Americans are exuberant and reflective—optimistic about present-day advances in income, education, entrepreneurship and health care, and determined to forge a better future as influential leaders and catalysts of social awareness against discrimination and social injustice.

This latest report highlights African-Americans’ economic and cultural gains and continues to shine a spotlight on how African-American Millennials are forging ahead in their use of technology and social media to raise awareness and evoke a national discussion on civic and political issues. African-American Millennials are expanding the use of mobile devices (particularly smartphones with a 91% penetration rate for all African-Americans), expanding their shopping carts with fresh foods and contributing to the diversification of mainstream primetime television viewership—forging a significant increase in advertising dollars focused on African-American audiences.

As African-Americans, particularly younger Millennials, continue to develop and expand their influence on mainstream America, companies are making changes to reach this culture-rich group with unique, captivating campaigns, as well as products and services that meet their needs.

Read the full report here and thanks to the Root for bringing our attention to this report: http://bit.ly/2eogM9p