In particular, self-reported levels of personal victimization for black adolescents living in inner cities far exceed those reported in national surveys, and chronic exposure to violence in certain communities is common. The nature and circumstances under which violence occurs among black Americans vary significantly according to age and gender. Nonetheless, the risk of violence by intimates or acquaintances is far greater for blacks than the danger of random violence committed by strangers or in connection with another crime. Poverty appears to be one of the strongest correlates of adolescent homicide risk for both males and females. Violence against late adolescent and early adult black females is most likely to be perpetrated by boyfriends or spouses, and battering is a frequent antecedent to fatal spouse abuse. Literature on experiencing or witnessing the many forms of violence to which black children and adolescents are exposed is reviewed, and associated knowledge gaps and research needs are identified. Several public policy recommendations are offered: (1) public education should dispel myths that perpetuate a "blame the victim" viewpoint; (2) Federal and State agencies should recruit blacks and other culturally competent professionals to serve on grant review panels to ensure adequate funding for research and program development in the black community; (3) funding should be made available to support culturally sensitive violence prevention programs; (4) awareness of violence risk should be raised at the family level; (5) potential contributions of the media as a positive or a negative influence on violence among black Americans should be recognized; and (6) gun control legislation should be supported. 68 references