Publisher's Synopsis
Aging in America is not a race-neutral experience. Firmly entrenched disadvantages
compound over a lifetime, making Black aging a unique and urgent issue. Yet, Black
elders don't just survive-they build. Their fortitude has shaped families, communities,
and movements for generations.
Drawing on lived experiences, cultural knowledge, and groundbreaking insights,
Raymond A. Jetson illuminates the power of Black elders. He dismantles toxic
narratives about Black aging and offers a transformative vision-one rooted in the
strength of community, digital empowerment, and intergenerational connection.
As the founder of Aging While Black and an AARP Purpose Prize winner, he confronts
the realities of ageism and racial inequalities while charting a new path-one that
embraces innovation, connection, and the radical possibilities of a future where Black
elders are valued, empowered, and celebrated.
Aging While Black is an action guide for change, inviting readers to disrupt the
established order, build powerful connections, and boldly imagine a future where Black
elders reach full potential and their guidance shapes a more inclusive and just society
for generations to come.
For readers who appreciate perspective-shaping works like The Warmth of Other Suns
by Isabel Wilkerson or The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, Aging While Black
offers a fresh perspective on one of today's most critical issues.
