Report: Boston Blacks See Gains, But Challenges Persist

Thousands of convention goers are expected in Boston this week as the National Urban League holds its annual convention here, marking the 101st anniversary of its founding. In advance of the centennial gathering, a new report out Monday finds that life for African-Americans in Boston is better in some ways, but large challenges remain.

The report, called the "2011 State of Black Boston," focuses on eight key areas, including education, health and civic engagement.

Darnell Williams, president of the Urban League of eastern Massachusetts, which is hosting the organization's 100th annual conference here in Boston, says the report is meant as a call to action: he notes that the infant mortality rate remains higher for black babies than for any other group.

"The point is that here is a fact that we need to address so that we can reduce it," Williams said. "We can reduce it not only with the health care providers, but also with educating the folks who are also in need of that care, as well as access."

The reports cites as good news Census numbers that show Boston is more diverse, now "a majority-minority city," with 53 percent of residents either black, Latino or Asian.

Delores Handy contributed to this report.