Poverty declines in black families due to the civil rights movement.

the period of 1940 to 1959 mark the dawning of the Civil Rights Movement. It was a time before the sit-ins, protest marches, Freedom riders, and increasing violence that characterized the movement during the 1960s; when African-Americans were beginning to raise their voices against oppression and demand equality. While not much direct or major action was taken by the government or society to combat injustice in these years, the landmark court cases, such as Brown v. Board of Education, the desegregation of public schools, the armed forces, and professional sports, and boycotts which occurred gave the Civil Rights Movement the momentum it needed for its vigorous fight of the "Stormy Sixties." Many overlook the 1940s and 50s in terms of civil right, focusing more on the more famous aspects of the movement in later decades, but numerous revolutionary event took place in these twenty years that would forever change American society.

Prior to the 1940s black illiteracy was near 80%, but less than 50% during the 1960s mostly as a result of forced school integration by bussing students between segregated neighborhoods.

Literacy is the primary factors for increasing income.

Education Pays - US Bureau of Labor Statistics