3. Durham, North Carolina

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There are few other U.S. cities where African Americans wield as much political clout. The population is roughly half black and half white; the majority of city council members are black. An organization called the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People has been influencing community affairs since the 1930s, when a large black middle class grew up around North Carolina Central, a black university, and Pear Street, which was known as the black Wall Street. Whites aren't allowed to attend meetings, but the committee has a long history of working closely with a progressive white organization called the People's Alliance. Don't even think of running for public office in Durham unless you have an endorsement from this powerful committee.

Part of cover story section, June/July 1997.

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