Not a Monolith: The Different Types of Black
Written By: Ashley D. Milton, PhD
The diversity of Black African people spans across the globe, revealing a complex web of identities shaped by history, migration, politics, and economics. As an African scholar with decades of experience researching and writing about Black people, I have encountered these multiple identities and the intricate relationships each group maintains with their African heritage and the wider world. These differences in identity, lived experience, and national allegiance are particularly evident when comparing African choice migrants, displaced African migrants, continental Africans, and the descendants of enslaved Africans in both the Caribbean and the United States. These five groups, each with unique experiences, resources, and strengths, are all vital to Africa’s growth and the evolution of the global Black collective. By leveraging their positions in the diaspora and on the continent, they can collectively drive Africa’s development, aligning with broader goals of economic resilience, regional integration, and sustainable growth.
African Choice Migrant
The African Choice Migrant is a person who voluntarily leaves their country in search of better opportunities, often for education, employment, or personal growth. They are typically well-educated and may have access to Western passports due to the pathways they have forged through migration to Europe, North America, or other regions. These migrants maintain a diaspora relationship with their nation-state, meaning they retain strong cultural, familial, and often economic ties to their homeland, even as they establish new lives in the West. Their migration is characterized by agency; they actively choose to leave, motivated by the prospect of greener pastures abroad. This gives them a dual identity—one grounded in their African roots and another shaped by their experiences in the West. The choice migrant often remits money back home, invests in property or businesses, and may eventually return to Africa to live or retire. Yet, possessing a Western passport usually gives them a level of privilege and mobility that can distance them from the struggles of those who remain on the continent. Their ties to their nation of origin may also complicate their sense of belonging in their new country, leaving them straddling two worlds without fully belonging to either.
The African Choice Migrant, often equipped with dual nationalities, higher education, and financial liquidity, is well-positioned to drive Africa’s economic growth and development through strategic investments, skills transfer, and entrepreneurship. The Year of Return and Beyond the Return campaigns have encouraged many individuals to reconnect with the continent, presenting a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully. African Choice Migrants, with access to global markets and networks, can help catalyze Africa’s growth in critical sectors such as technology, real estate, infrastructure, and tourism. By leveraging their Western financial resources and experiences, they can facilitate the transfer of innovative practices and capital back into Africa while promoting sustainable investment models that reflect long-term commitments to local development. For example, many African Choice Migrants are leading in fintech and digital entrepreneurship, creating platforms that increase financial inclusion across African nations. Their ability to navigate both African and Western economic systems makes them critical agents of change, aligning with broader goals such as increasing intra-African trade, enhancing digital infrastructure, and fostering economic resilience.
Displaced African Migrant
In stark contrast, the Displaced African Migrant is a refugee—someone who has been displaced from their home due to war, persecution, or environmental disasters. These migrants often hold a Western passport out of necessity rather than choice, and their relationship with their nation-state is typically estranged, marked by trauma, loss, and sometimes an inability to return. The displaced person’s identity is often shaped by the experience of displacement and survival in hostile environments. Whether they fled civil wars in places like Sudan, Somalia, or the Democratic Republic of Congo or escaped political persecution, their migration is one of necessity rather than opportunity. Their ties to their homeland may be weak or severed, and they may struggle with a sense of alienation both from their country of origin and from their new host nation, where they often face xenophobia, discrimination, and marginalization. Holding a Western passport in this context does not offer the same privilege as it does for the choice migrant. Instead, it may represent a form of exile or an emblem of lost belonging as displaced people navigate complex identities as both refugees and citizens of nations where they never intended to live.
For the Displaced African Migrant, who may have faced displacement due to conflict or instability in their home countries, the Back to Africa movement offers personal reconnection and the chance to be part of the continent’s resurgence. Despite often having strained relationships with their nation-states, Displaced African Migrants—many of whom have rebuilt their lives in the West—possess financial and intellectual capital that can significantly aid African development. Many refugees and displaced people from Africa have established themselves as successful entrepreneurs, professionals, and activists in their host countries. They can help address issues like post-war economic recovery, health services, and education for displaced populations by directing their resources toward rebuilding conflict-affected regions. For instance, refugees from countries like Somalia and Sudan, now living in Europe or North America, have become critical contributors to remittance flows, sending money back home to support communities, schools, and small businesses. These individuals can also advocate for more inclusive governance in their home countries, drawing on their experiences with Western democratic systems to promote transparency, anti-corruption measures, and inclusive political participation. Their contributions can align with efforts to enhance African economies through inclusive development and social investment, helping to create stable and sustainable growth environments.
“The key is fostering a dialogue that transcends borders, recognizing that Black unity is not about uniformity but celebrating diversity while working toward shared goals.”
Continental African
The Continental African, born and raised on the African continent, represents the majority of Black Africans in the world. They may be well-traveled, but their lives are firmly rooted in the continent, and they typically hold only African passports, which limits their mobility compared to Africans living in the West. The Continental African’s identity is deeply tied to their region’s land, language, and customs. Whether they are from urban centers like Lagos, Johannesburg, or Nairobi, or rural communities, their experience of being African is embedded in the day-to-day realities of living on the continent. Their perspectives on migration, identity, and global Blackness are shaped by their proximity to the cultural and political struggles of post-colonial Africa. For many, the economic challenges, political instability, and international perceptions of Africa as a place of need continue to define their external relationships, even as they work to reshape narratives around African development, innovation, and culture. While continental Africans may envy the mobility and opportunity of their diasporic counterparts, they often hold pride in their ability to stay and contribute to the growth of their nations despite systemic challenges.
The Continental African, who remains rooted on the continent, is integral to ensuring that the aspirations of diaspora-driven initiatives are realized in sustainable and contextually relevant ways. Whether in business, government, or civil society, Continental Africans are the linchpin in translating diaspora investment and engagement into real progress. They have an intimate knowledge of local markets, customs, and needs essential to successful project implementation. For example, in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, Continental Africans are leading in renewable energy, agriculture, and urban infrastructure sectors. These individuals, many of whom are entrepreneurs and innovators, are already actively shaping Africa’s future by addressing key challenges such as energy access, food security, and urbanization. Their expertise in local building practices, sustainability, and governance is essential to ensuring that diaspora investments—whether in agriculture, housing, or technology—are aligned with Africa’s needs and ecological realities. Continental Africans also have the opportunity to influence policy and advocate for reforms that improve the investment climate, thereby making the continent more attractive to both diaspora and foreign investors.
African Descendants from Enslaved Africans Living in the Majority
In the Caribbean, Black people who descend from enslaved Africans make up the majority of the population. The legacies of slavery, colonialism, and resistance shape their cultural and national identity. Despite being born and raised in the Caribbean, their sense of Africanness is often filtered through the history of displacement and the creation of new Black cultures on the islands. Countries like Jamaica, Haiti, and Barbados have rich African diasporic traditions, from Rastafarianism and Vodou to Afro-Caribbean music and dance. These individuals may be well-traveled, yet they often hold only a Caribbean passport, limiting their mobility compared to their Western counterparts. Their connection to Africa is often one of heritage and cultural memory, rather than direct experience, and their identity is shaped as much by the history of colonization and resistance in the Caribbean as by African traditions. This group often experiences a complex form of marginalization in the global context, where the Caribbean is seen as peripheral to both the Western world and Africa. Yet, the cultural contributions of Caribbean-descended Africans, from Marcus Garvey to Bob Marley, have profoundly impacted the global Black identity, shaping how Black people everywhere see themselves.
For the African Descendants of Enslaved Africans Living in the Majority in the Caribbean, their shared histories of colonization, resistance, and independence provide them with a collective economic power that can be leveraged in partnership with Africa. The Year of Return campaign resonated strongly in the Caribbean, where many descendants of enslaved Africans are rediscovering their African heritage and exploring investment opportunities on the continent. As members of small, post-colonial island nations, they are particularly well-positioned to form economic alliances with African countries, focusing on agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy sectors. For instance, collaborations between Ghana and Jamaica in tourism and cultural exchange foster deeper ties that can expand to include trade agreements and shared investments in agricultural technologies. Caribbean Africans, through their experience with regional trade organizations like CARICOM, can bring valuable insights into how to develop intra-African trade relationships and economic cooperation across borders. Investing in African land and industries can help establish trade pipelines that benefit both Caribbean and African economies, contributing to the growth of regional trade blocs and enhancing economic integration, one of the AU 2063 goals.
African Descendants from Enslaved Africans Living in the Minority
The descendants of enslaved Africans in the United States, unlike their Caribbean counterparts, live as a minority population within a predominantly white society. Their identity is deeply intertwined with the history of slavery, Jim Crow, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice. Holding US passports gives them access to mobility and opportunities that may not be available to other Black populations. Still, their citizenship does not shield them from systemic racism and anti-Blackness. African Americans have created a distinct culture that draws on African traditions but is uniquely shaped by the US context. From the development of jazz, hip-hop, and gospel music to the leadership of figures like Fannie Lou Hamer and Malcolm X, African Americans have been at the forefront of defining Black identity in the modern world. Yet, as a minority population, they are often disconnected from both the African continent and the wider African diaspora, which can create a sense of isolation. The African American experience, while central to global discussions of race and Blackness, remains distinct, shaped by the dual realities of oppression and cultural innovation within the United States.
For African Descendants of Enslaved Africans Living in the Minority in the United States, their unique experience as a racial minority within a Western superpower positions them as critical advocates for African development on the global stage. African Americans, many of whom have long histories of activism, social justice advocacy, and economic empowerment, are now turning their attention toward Africa as a cultural homeland and a space for strategic investment. With access to substantial financial markets, political influence, and intellectual capital, African Americans can play a critical role in supporting Africa’s growth in education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. Their growing interest in the Back to Africa movement has increased investments in African real estate, technology startups, and philanthropic initiatives. Many African American entrepreneurs are working to create businesses that span both the US and Africa, particularly in media, technology, and manufacturing. Additionally, African Americans are well-positioned to advocate for global policy changes that promote equitable trade, reparative justice, and infrastructure investment, aligning with the broader goals of building a sustainable and self-reliant African economy. By fostering partnerships between African American businesses and African enterprises, they can help establish new economic pathways that advance the AU 2063 vision for African unity, prosperity, and global competitiveness.
Experience the diversity of Black.
What Does This Mean?
These different categories of Black African people—choice migrants, displaced people, continental Africans, and the descendants of enslaved Africans in the Caribbean and the US—illustrate the vast diversity within the global Black community. Unique historical and geopolitical factors shape each group’s experience, yet they all share a profound connection to Africa through direct experience, ancestral heritage, or cultural memory. This connection, however, does not manifest uniformly. While some have been able to harness financial or political capital in the diaspora, others continue to navigate the challenges of systemic exclusion and economic inequity. Yet, despite these differences, Black people globally share a legacy of resistance, innovation, and resilience. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for appreciating the complexity of Black identity in the modern world and recognizing the shared struggles and contributions of Black people across the globe. Within this diversity, we find the strength and potential to drive Africa’s growth and the evolution of the global Black collective toward economic resilience, regional integration, and sustainable development.
How Do We Move Forward: A Call to Collective Action and Implementation
Digesting and Understanding the Information:
The first step in fostering growth and development within the global Black collective is deeply comprehending the multifaceted identities. Whether you are a choice migrant, displaced person, continental African, or a descendant of enslaved Africans, recognizing the unique contributions and challenges faced by each group is essential. We must commit to studying and digesting the historical, political, and economic contexts that shape each experience. Understanding the impact of colonialism, slavery, and forced migration on Black identity will provide the foundation needed to approach modern-day conversations about development with greater empathy and precision.
Comprehension of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Regenerative Growth:
The AfCFTA presents a monumental opportunity for Black people across the globe to engage in meaningful economic partnerships. Choice migrants and African descendants in the diaspora, who have access to Western financial systems, can play a pivotal role in leveraging this trade agreement by investing in African markets. Displaced people, whose experiences with systemic displacement may have fostered innovative survival strategies, can bring this ingenuity to the table, enhancing Africa’s economic diversity. Meanwhile, continental Africans hold the local expertise critical for driving sustainable, regenerative economic practices prioritizing long-term growth over short-term extraction. By working together through the framework of AfCFTA, these groups can ensure that Africa’s economic growth is regenerative—focused on sustainability, equitable distribution, and empowerment of local populations. This will require intentional collaboration, not just between African states but also between Africans and their diasporas.
Application and Usage of Knowledge for Black Unity and Economic Evolution:
Comprehension alone is not enough; the information gleaned from the diverse experiences of Black people must be applied in tangible ways. This could involve creating cross-border business ventures, utilizing diaspora networks for trade and investment, or developing initiatives to address the socio-economic challenges of underrepresented Black populations. Choice migrants and African Americans, with their access to capital, can invest in African-led businesses and regenerative industries. At the same time, continental Africans bring the cultural knowledge and expertise needed to ensure that these ventures are contextually appropriate and sustainable. Through their resilience and adaptive strategies, displaced people can contribute innovative solutions to Africa’s complex social and economic problems. The key is fostering a dialogue that transcends borders, recognizing that Black unity is not about uniformity but celebrating diversity while working toward shared goals.
Having Grace and Recognizing the Diversity within Blackness:
As we embark on this journey toward economic growth and evolution, we must interact with one another gracefully. The diversity of Blackness means that no two experiences are the same, and it is essential to approach differences in perspective with understanding. A continental African may prioritize issues of land rights and agricultural development. At the same time, a descendant of enslaved Africans in the US may focus on the fight for reparative justice and the dismantling of systemic racism. Each perspective is valid, and every contribution is valuable. We must be patient and gracious in these discussions, recognizing that our shared history and struggles unite us even as our experiences and approaches to solutions differ. By embracing these differences, we strengthen our collective ability to drive the evolution of Black people, ensuring that progress is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable for all.
The Diaspora Visualized by the Center for Black Literature and Culture, Indianapolis Public Library
To actualize this vision of collective growth, we need to establish more formalized collaboration networks between Black people in the diaspora and on the continent. This can be diaspora councils, economic partnerships, or cultural exchanges facilitating greater unity and understanding across borders. Governments, private sector leaders, and community organizations can work together to create spaces for these interactions, ensuring that every group—choice migrant, displaced person, continental African, or descendant of enslaved Africans—has a seat at the table. The AU 2063 mandate for every African country to have a Diaspora Engagement Policy provides an ideal framework for institutionalizing these collaborations, ensuring that Black people, wherever they are, can actively contribute to the growth, development, and prosperity of the global Black community.