Most Black adults describe themselves as at least somewhat successful (66%) and view personal success in terms of their ability to provide for their families (82%). Still, Black Americans experience pressure to live up to these goals, with majorities saying they feel a great deal or fair amount of pressure to have enough money (71%) and be able to provide for their families (68%).
Assessing personal success
Roughly one-quarter of Black adults (26%) personally consider themselves extremely or very successful, 40% say they are somewhat successful, and one-third say they are a little or not at all successful.
By age
Black adults ages 50 and older are more likely than those under 50 to consider themselves successful. Conversely, Black adults ages 18 to 29 are more likely than older Black adults to consider themselves only a little or not at all successful.
By education
Black adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher are more likely than Black adults with some college or with a high school diploma or less education to consider themselves extremely or very successful. And those with a high school education or less are more likely than those with higher levels of education to consider themselves a little or not at all successful.
By income
The higher their income level, the more likely Black adults are to consider themselves extremely or very successful. Black adults with upper family incomes are more likely than those with middle or lower incomes to say they are extremely or very successful.
Defining personal success
About eight-in-ten Black adults say that being able to provide for their family (82%) and being happy (80%) are essential to their personal definition of success. Smaller majorities say the same about having enough time to do things they want to do (65%) and having a job or career they enjoy (56%).
Roughly half of Black Americans or fewer say owning their own home (52%), using their talents and resources to help others (50%), making their family or community proud (37%) and being married (23%) are important to their personal definition of success.
By age
Black adults ages 50 and older are less likely than younger Black adults to say having enough time to do things they want to do, having a job or career they enjoy, making their family or community proud and being married are essential to their personal definition of success.
By education
Black adults with at least a bachelor’s degree are more likely than those with less education to say most of these measures are essential to their personal definition of success. Those with a high school diploma or less education are less likely than other Black adults to say any of these goals are essential in defining success.
Similar shares of Black adults with at least a bachelor’s degree and those with less education say owning their own home, making their family or community proud, or being married are essential to their personal definition of success.
By nativity
Black immigrants are more likely than Black adults born in the U.S. to say being able to provide for their family, being happy, having enough time to do things they want to do, owning their home and being married are essential to their personal definition of success.
By ethnicity
Black non-Hispanic adults are more likely than Black multiracial non-Hispanic or Black Hispanic adults to say owning their own home is essential to their personal definition of success. They are also more likely than Black Hispanic adults to say being able to provide for their family and being happy are essential to how they define success.
Pressure to be successful
When it comes to these traditional measures of success, Black Americans feel pressures to accomplish certain things for themselves and for their community. Similar shares say they feel a great deal or a fair amount of pressure to have enough money to do the things they want to do (71%) and be able to provide for their family (68%).
Slightly smaller shares say the same about being happy (62%), having a job or career they enjoy (58%), owning their own home (50%), using their talents and resources to help others (48%), and making their family or community proud (43%).
More than half of Black adults who are currently married (55%) say they feel a great deal or fair amount of pressure to stay married, while 20% of unmarried Black adults feel at least a fair amount of pressure to get married.
By gender
Black women are more likely than Black men to say they feel a great deal or fair amount of pressure to have enough money to do the things they want to do, be happy, have a job or career they enjoy, use their talents and resources to help others, and make their family or community proud.
By age
Black adults under 50 are more likely than older Black adults to feel a great deal or fair amount of pressure to have enough money, have a job or career they enjoy, own their own home, use their talents and resources to help others, make their family or community proud, and – depending on their marital status – stay or get married.
By income
Black adults with lower levels of family income are more likely than those with higher levels of income to say they feel a great deal or fair amount of pressure to be happy, use their talents and resources to help others, and to make their family or community proud. They are also more likely than those with upper incomes to say they feel at least a fair amount of pressure to be able to provide for their family. And Black adults with lower and middle incomes are both more likely than those with upper incomes to feel pressure to have a job or career they enjoy.
Notably, Black adults with upper incomes are about as likely as other Black adults to feel a great deal or fair amount of pressure to have enough money to do the things they want to do.
By nativity
Black immigrants are more likely than Black adults born in the U.S. to feel a great deal or fair amount of pressure to have a job or career they enjoy and to own their own home.
Strategies for becoming successful
Thinking more broadly about success, majorities of Black adults say having self-confidence (79%) and having financial stability (75%) are essential to helping a person achieve success.
Far fewer see personal relationships having a significant role in success. Smaller shares say having supportive family members (54%), having connections to people who can help open doors on their behalf (41%) or having mentors who can provide advice and guidance (39%) are essential in helping a person achieve success. Two-in-ten Black adults say the same about having a college degree.
By gender
Black women are more likely than Black men to say having financial stability, supportive family members, mentors and a college degree are essential to helping a person achieve success.
By age
Black adults ages 18 to 29 are more likely than other Black adults to say having a college degree is essential to helping a person achieve success. Overall, younger Black adults are more likely than older Black adults to say financial stability, connections to people who can open doors on their behalf, and having a college degree are essential. Black adults 50 and older are more likely than younger Black adults to say having supportive family members is essential.
