Op-Ed

Jacob Lawrence’s “Migration Series” Exhibit

Published

11 years ago

July 6, 2015

By Lee A. Daniels
NNPA Columnist

I recently wrote that several extraordinary developments of June – the tragedy at Charleston’s Emanuel A.M.E. Church and its aftermath, and the two U.S. Supreme Court decisions on same-sex marriage and Obamacare – marked it as one in which momentous history was being made.

In fact, even before those events unfolded, my mind was full of thoughts about moments of momentous history because I had just seen the current exhibit at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, otherwise known as MoMA, that presents the “picture book” the great artist Jacob Lawrence painted some 60 years ago of a seminal event in American history: the Black Migration.

There is something so mesmerizing in the 60 small, deceptively simple paintings that comprise Lawrence’s “Migration Series.” The sparseness of their landscapes and interiors, the anonymity of the human figures, and the understated yet vibrant uniform colors are arresting and poignant. They vividly convey the often harsh predicament many Blacks endured in the South and were to face in the North and West. And yet, individually and as a Series, the paintings also unmistakably convey the Black Americans’ profound internal strength and determination to move forward, no matter the odds.

For most of the more than 6 million Blacks who left the South for the urban North and West between 1910 and 1970, the odds were formidable indeed. But their trek not only resulted in the making of modern Black America; it’s impossible to imagine the United States of America of the post-World War I 20th century without its having occurred. Pushed by the decline of the South’s agricultural prosperity, suffocating racist laws and pathological violence and pulled by the industrial North’s voracious need for workers, Blacks fled the South during these decades in ever increasing numbers. In 1900, only 8 percent of Black Americans lived outside the South. By 1970, that figure had swelled to 47 percent.

Of course, it’s all too true that Blacks quickly found a pervasive bigotry against them in those regions as well. But they also found a crucial modicum of support among a minority of Whites, and, equally important, indifference among another small segment of Whites – legacies of North’s having ultimately fought, however reluctantly, a war to end Negro Slavery.

That gave Blacks room to struggle for educational, economic, cultural and political opportunity. Over the course of the century, they transformed that space into a platform to rescue themselves, Black Southerners, White Southerners and White America as a whole from the evil of White-supremacist ideology.

In effect, the Black Migration was America’s early 20^th century freedom march, one whose various facets Lawrence presents in a stunning visual “history book” of 60, 18 by 12 inch paintings numbered sequentially 1 to 60.

Since their completion in 1941, the paintings have been in the permanent collections of MoMA and The Phillips Collection, of Washington, D.C. Each institution has 30, split between the even and odd numbers in order to properly maintain the integrity of the Series’ narrative south-to-north progression. Lawrence himself never considered the Series as “split” but rather being “in two places, two very prestigious collections: The Phillips Collection and the Museum of Modern Art.”

The current exhibition, at MoMA until September 7, is one of the few times the Series has been shown in complete form since its inaugural gallery exhibition in late 1941 stunned the art world. Lawrence was just 23 at the time, but his work was a testament to both the precocious talent made evident as an adolescent a decade earlier and to his being grounded in the vibrant life of the Harlem community his family had migrated to in 1930 – a vibrancy that was the direct result of its being a primary destination of Southern Blacks’ migratory stream.

A significant part of the factual history of the migration, of Lawrence’s disciplined approach to art and the political and cultural ferment of Harlem and New York City in the 1930s is evocatively captured in the essays and notes on the individual paintings in the book, Jacob Lawrence: The Migration Series, that complements the exhibition. Reading the book and, most of all, contemplating Lawrence’s serial masterpiece, left this viewer with one thought: a wish Lawrence were alive today to compose a “Migration Series” for our time.

Lee A. Daniels is a longtime journalist based in New York City. His essay, “Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Great Provocateur,” appears in Africa’s Peacemakers: Nobel Peace Laureates of African Descent (2014), published by Zed Books. His new collection of columns, Race Forward: Facing America’s Racial Divide in 2014, is available at www.amazon.com.

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Advice

Financial Wellness and Mental Health: Managing Money Stress in College 

While everyone’s financial situation is unique, several common sources of stress have the potential to strain your financial health. These include financial and economic uncertainty, existing debts, unexpected expenses, and mental or physical health changes. Financial stress may differ from situation to situation, but understanding the factors contributing to yours may help you begin to craft a plan for your unique circumstances.

Published

1 week ago

March 17, 2026

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Women & Wealth: Tips for Navigating Your Lifelong Financial Journey

Published

1 week ago

March 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

We are in the midst of a seismic shift in wealth. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” describes the unprecedented movement of assets from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs – an estimated $105 trillion by 2048. And women are poised to inherit most of this.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s 2025 Investor Study found that women are not only set to receive significant wealth – they’re actively working to build it on their own. Ninety-three percent of women surveyed who are expecting an inheritance aren’t relying on it to reach their goals.

Here are a few tips for women to consider in their wealth-building journey:

Create a financial roadmap

A detailed, well thought out plan is important. J.P. Morgan’s study found that 90% of those surveyed with a plan feel confident about reaching their financial goals, compared to 49% without one.

Your plan should reflect your unique goals, priorities and circumstances. Consider your investment horizon and risk tolerance, and remember to revisit your plan regularly as life evolves.

Are you saving up for goals like buying a house, sending your kids off to college or retiring early? Where do you want to be in the next five, ten or twenty years? Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to think about these questions and build a plan that is unique to your life.

Women tend to live longer than men on average. Many take career breaks or care for family members, which can influence long-term planning. It’s important to adjust your strategy with these factors in mind.

Where to start with investing

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Starting to invest doesn’t require a large sum, and beginning early can be beneficial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to potentially grow over the years. Understand your overall financial situation, set clear goals and develop a long-term plan.

It’s important to also make sure you’re covered for unexpected expenses that come up before you start to invest. Build up a cash emergency fund, typically enough to cover three to six months of expenses, and pay down any high-interest debt.

Taking charge of your finances

The good news is that women are taking charge of their finances. J.P. Morgan’s research found that 75% of women respondents make financial decisions with their partner or take the lead themselves. For those who have a spouse or partner, it’s important for each person in the relationship to play an active role in the process.

Building wealth can be empowering for many women. The same survey found that 73% of women respondents said money gives them “security,” while 64% of Gen Z and Millennial women associated it with “freedom.”

The power of having a team

Some people find it helpful to work with a financial advisor, so you don’t have to tackle things alone. An advisor can help you craft a plan tailored to your needs and keep you on track throughout your lifelong financial journey. If you expect to receive an inheritance, you should also consult with estate planning and tax professionals.

No matter where you are on your wealth-building path, education is key. It’s so important to be an informed investor, and there are plenty of resources out there to help. You can find a library of free educational resources at chase.com/theknow.

As the landscape of wealth continues to evolve, women have a unique opportunity to shape their financial futures and those of generations to come. By staying informed and planning ahead, women have the tools to help them confidently navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and set themselves up for financial freedom.

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.  

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Advice

Rising Optimism Among Small And Middle Market Business Leaders Suggests Growth for California

“Business leaders across the Pacific region continue to demonstrate a unique blend of resilience and forward-thinking, even in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty,” said Brennon Crist, Managing Director and Head of the Pacific Segment, Commercial Banking, J.P. Morgan. “Their commitment to innovation and growth is evident in the way they adapt to challenges and seize new opportunities. It’s this spirit that keeps our region at the forefront of business leadership and progress. We look forward to helping our clients navigate all that’s ahead in 2026.”

Published

1 month ago

February 14, 2026

Oakland Post

Super Scout / E+ with Getty Images.

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

Business optimism is returning for small and midsize business leaders at the start of 2026, fueling confidence and growth plans.

The 2026 Business Leaders Outlook survey, released in January by JPMorganChase reveals a turnaround from last June, when economic headwinds and uncertainty about shifting policies and tariffs caused some leaders to put their business plans on hold.

Midsize companies, who often find themselves more exposed to geopolitical shifts and policy changes, experienced a significant dip in business and economic confidence in June of 2025. As they have become more comfortable with the complexities of today’s environment, we are seeing optimism rebounding in the middle market nationwide – an encouraging sign for growth, hiring, and innovation. Small businesses, meanwhile, maintained steady optimism throughout 2025, but they aren’t shielded from domestic concerns. Many cited inflation and wage pressures as the top challenges for 2026 and are taking steps to ensure their businesses are prepared for what’s ahead.

Overall, both small and midsize business leaders are feeling more confident to pursue growth opportunities, embrace emerging technologies and, in some cases, forge new strategic partnerships. That bodes well for entrepreneurs in California. Here are a few other key findings from the Business Leaders Outlook about trends expected to drive activity this year:

Inflation remains the top concern for small business owners. Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, many anticipated a favorable business environment. By June 2025, however, that feeling shifted amid concerns about political dynamics, tariffs, evolving regulations and global economic headwinds.
Going into 2026, 37% of respondents cited inflation as their top concern. Rising taxes came in second at 27% and the impact of tariffs was third at 22%. Other concerns included managing cash flow, hiring and labor costs.

For middle market leaders, uncertainty remains an issue. Almost half (49%) of all midsize business leaders surveyed cited “economic uncertainty” as their top concern – even with an improved outlook from a few months ago. Revenue and sales growth was second at 33%, while tariffs and labor both were third at 31%.
And tariffs are impacting businesses costs. Sixty-one percent of midsize business leaders said tariffs have had a negative impact on the cost of doing business.
Despite challenges, leaders are bullish on their own enterprises. Though the overall outlook is mixed, 74% of small business owners and 71% of middle market companies are optimistic about their company’s prospects for 2026.
Adaption is the theme. For small business owners surveyed across the U.S., responding to continuing pressures is important in 2026. Building cash reserves (47%), renegotiating supplier terms (36%) and ramping up investments in marketing and technology are among the top priorities.
Big plans are on the horizon. A majority midsized company leaders expect revenue growth this year, and nearly three out of five of (58%) plan to introduce new products or services in the coming year, while 53% look to expand into new domestic and/or international markets. Forty-nine percentsay they’re pursuing strategic partnerships or investments.

The bottom line

Rebounding optimism among U.S. business leaders at the start of the year is setting the stage for an active 2026. With business leaders looking to implement ambitious growth plans that position themselves for the future, momentum in California could be beneficial for leaders looking to launch, grow or scale their business this year.