Culture and Success: Lessons from Immigrant Communities

Thomas Sowell once said, “Cultures are not ‘better’ or ‘worse’ than each other. They are just different. But those differences have consequences.” This perspective has always made me reflect on the role culture plays in shaping success—not just for individuals, but for entire communities. How do certain cultural values contribute to prosperity, even when people migrate and face new challenges? And what lessons can we learn from those patterns to better uplift our own communities?

Take Jamaica, where my family is from. It’s a country rich in diversity, and one of the most striking examples is the influence of the Chinese population. For decades, Chinese-Jamaicans have been at the forefront of entrepreneurship, owning and operating many of the shops and grocery stores across the island. They brought with them values—such as a strong work ethic, a commitment to family, and a focus on building generational wealth—that have allowed them to thrive and make significant contributions to Jamaica’s economy and culture.

Similarly, in the United States, many immigrant populations have shown remarkable success, particularly in industries like technology, medicine, and small business ownership. Many attribute this to a cultural emphasis on education, financial discipline, and community support. Families often pool resources to help one another succeed, ensuring that opportunities are passed on to the next generation. These values transcend borders and have created pathways to success, no matter where they settle.

This pattern isn’t unique to any one group. Sowell’s research highlights how cultural values—such as long-term planning, collective support, and adaptability—often lead to success for immigrant communities. It’s not just about where they are geographically; it’s about what they bring with them culturally.

Now, this made me think a lot about Black culture, both in the U.S. and across the diaspora. What are the values we carry with us? How do we lean into the strengths of our culture, and where do we need to challenge ourselves to grow? One of the challenges I see in Black communities is that we often focus so much on survival—because, let’s face it, history has demanded it—that we don’t always make space for the long-term strategies that build wealth and stability across generations.

But here’s the thing: our culture is also rich in resilience, creativity, and innovation. We’ve shown time and time again that we can adapt, rebuild, and thrive under the most difficult circumstances. What if we took those strengths and applied them with the same intentionality that other successful communities do? What if we focused more on financial literacy, long-term planning, and supporting one another in building businesses and opportunities?

This isn’t about comparing one culture to another or saying one is better. It’s about learning from what works. It’s about looking at the patterns of success in immigrant communities and asking, “How can we apply those lessons to our own lives?” It’s about shifting from a mindset of survival to one of strategy, from short-term thinking to long-term legacy.

Culture is a powerful force. It shapes how we see the world and how we navigate it. To create a better future, we must honor the strengths of our culture while challenging ourselves to grow in areas that no longer serve us. By learning from others, adapting strategies that work, and leaning into our own power, we can create the legacies we deserve. The consequences of culture are real—and it’s up to us to make sure they lead to growth, empowerment, and collective success.