Black Wall Street, Then and Now #24
????Happy Friday and Happy Black History Month!
????Our black history and black excellence lessons continue unapologetically ????!
Once upon a time—before “Black-owned” was a trending hashtag, there was Black Wall Street, a real, thriving, unapologetically Black economic powerhouse in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In the early 1900s, Greenwood District was Wakanda before Wakanda—with Black doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and innovators running businesses, banks, and even their own airplane! (Yes, we had a private jet economy before influencers made it a thing.) But then came 1921, the Tulsa Race Massacre—one of the most devastating attacks on Black wealth in U.S. history—where an entire thriving district was burned to the ground, and economic progress was deliberately dismantled.
Fast-forward to today, and we are still having the conversation: What happened to thriving Black economies? And more importantly, how can we rebuild them?
Black Wealth Wasn’t an Accident—It Was Strategy
Black Wall Street didn’t happen because someone manifested it in their journal. It was intentional community economics—a system where Black dollars circulated within Black businesses 36 to 100 times before leaving the community. Compare that to today, where a dollar in the Black community barely sticks around six hours before running off like it’s got commitment issues.
Why? Because modern economic systems were built to work around us, not for us. Redlining, discriminatory banking practices, and systemic barriers to venture capital have made sure of that. But here’s the thing—we built wealth before, and we can do it again.
AI and Tech: The New Black Wall Street Tools?
Back then, building a thriving Black economy meant knowing your local grocer, tailor, and banker. Today, the modern Black entrepreneur has an entirely different toolkit:
??? E-commerce & Digital Marketplaces – If our ancestors had Shopify and Etsy, you best believe we’d still have generational wealth. Black businesses can now reach global audiences without needing brick-and-mortar spaces.
?? AI-Powered Access to Capital – AI can help level the playing field by identifying discriminatory loan practices and offering data-driven solutions for Black entrepreneurs. Imagine an AI banker who doesn’t judge you for your name sounding “too ethnic.”
?? Community-Based Digital Currencies & Blockchain – The Black dollar may have commitment issues, but blockchain technology is opening doors for alternative economies that keep wealth circulating within Black communities.
What’s the Comeback Strategy?
If we want to see Black Wall Street 2.0, we must take action. Rebuilding Black economies isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about strategy.
? Buy Black—Consistently - Support Black-owned businesses not just on Juneteenth, but every single day.
? Invest in Black Startups -That idea you had? It might be the next multi-million-dollar business. Be the investor you wish existed.
? Leverage AI & Tech for Economic Empowerment - AI isn’t just for chatbots and TikTok algorithms—it can be a game-changer for financial literacy, access to loans, and wealth-building tools.
? Teach Financial Literacy to the Next Generation - We need more kids learning about stocks and investments instead of just reciting their favourite rap lyrics.
The Future Is Black and Brilliant
Rebuilding thriving Black economies means combining historical wisdom with modern innovation. It means shifting from survival to legacy mode—because we are the blueprint.
Now, the only question left is: Are you ready to be part of the movement?
Let’s make Black Wall Street more than history—let’s make it the future.
?? Call to Action: Support a Black-owned business today, invest in Black startups, and spread the knowledge! Let’s build the next era of Black economic power—together.
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Happy reading!
Olunosen Louisa Ibhaze
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