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Barack Obama has been elected the first black president of the United States - possibly the most powerful job in the world.
Some argue that Obama's rise to prominence proves that there is no longer a glass ceiling for black people in America: that they too can now realise the American dream.
But is that really true?
In a special series for Outlook, Matthew Bannister has travelled to three different States to investigate what it means to be Black in the USA in 2008.
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Atlanta
Talking past and present with Lisa Borders
Matthew Bannister's journey starts in Atlanta where he met Lisa Borders. Lisa is President of the Atlanta City Council and her grandfather was an inspirational civil rights leader who worked with his congregation to build the Wheat Street Baptist Church.
Listen Listen to the Outlook report (Duration: 26:28)
First broadcast 28/10/08
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Poor in the USA
Bronx living: High rents forced Tanya Fields out of Harlem
One in four African Americans live below the poverty line. Matthew meets the real people behind that statistic in one of the country's poorest neighbourhoods.
Listen Listen to the Outlook report (Duration: 26:28)
First broadcast 29/10/08
See pictures taken during the trip
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Black Republicans
Yvonne Davis - Republican but decided to vote Obama
Up to ninety five per cent of African Americans pledged to back Obama. But what of the minority of black people who say they'll vote Republican?
Listen Hear the Outlook item (Duration: 15.05)
First broadcast 30/10/08
See pictures taken during the trip
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Pastor Time White: violence part of 'everyday life'
Gangs
Matthew Bannister takes a trip to the violent ghettos of Chicago. One of the men he speaks to is a former gang leader who's turned his back on guns; instead, he breaks up fights and mediates between armed enemies.
Listen Hear the Outlook item (Duration: 18:31)
First broadcast 31/10/08
See pictures taken during the trip
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Morehouse
Martin Luther King persuaded Dr. Jackson to attend Morehouse
Atlanta's Morehouse College is the only all male historically black institution in America. It prides itself on producing the leaders of tomorrow. Matthew finds out what goes on there and talks to the students and professors about their expectations for the future.
Listen Hear the Outlook report (Duration: 21:59)
First broadcast 3/10/08
See pictures taken during the trip
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Inauguration Day
Her mother's, mother's, mother was a slave. Black in the USA contributor Tanya Fields travelled to Washington with her three children to see history being made as America's first black president was sworn into office.
Listen Outlook's Tara Gadomski followed her journey (Duration: 14:20)
First broadcast 21/01/09
The kids on the mall
Tanya & family in Washington
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We would like to hear your comments about this series- email us: outlook@bbc.com
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