Professor Jorge L. Chinea, who lectures on Afro-Latino studies at Wayne State University, said an Africantown would play not only a role in the economic empowerment of Blacks but would also strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between the two communities. "It is good to have African Americans take pride in their heritage and at the same time get economic development out of it," he said. "We as Latinos have African roots as well, so to the degree that African Americans gain, we improve as well."