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GMI Poll: African-American Culture Study

28 January 2008

In December 2007, GMI polled 1,285 African-Americans about their reading habits and their opinions of the publishing industry. One of the major issues we examined was why more African-American authors haven’t crossed over into the mainstream. 35% of respondents said the books are the problem: African-American authors just don’t appeal to most Americans.

Less than a third of African-American respondents said mainstream readers are the problem because most actively avoid reading books written by African-American authors. The largest number of respondents, nearly two-thirds, said African-American authors have seen very little crossover success because the books are only marketed and distributed to an African-American audience.

68% of African-American respondents say they agree or somewhat agree that most African-American authors can attract readers from a mainstream audience. 67% agree or somewhat agree that African-American authored literature is too narrowly marketed to a primarily African-American audience.
Our study also examined the following topics:

Economics in African-American communities, and the reasons why there are few African-American business owners
The most important items in African-American social status
Interracial relationships
Condoleezza Rice and her perceived role in the African-American community

The full results of the African-American culture study will be published on http://www.gmi-mr.com/ soon.