What if Black Wall Street Had Been Able to Thrive?

Inequities continue to persist in America. They illuminate the need for and the importance of continuing to develop strategies aimed at uplifting the Black community. We are striving to move forward and are propelled by the momentum of the recent social justice movement and the declaration that Black lives matter. However, there is a blueprint that can help Black businesses and communities to lead this effort – Black Wall Street.

Black to the Future: Lessons from Black Wall Street for Community and Economic Prosperity

Whether the term Black Wall Street is familiar to you or not, this new e-book, Black to the Future: Lessons from Black Wall Street for Community and Economic Prosperity, will provide fresh insights into this community. Those insights include key takeaways for the present day. In it, we will explore in detail how specific Black business pioneers and neighborhood residents created a sustainable model for community growth and empowerment.

“Go West!” may not be a refrain that you associate with the Black migration experience in the post-Civil War era. However, that is what many Black Americans did. In fact, it was during this time that several Black towns popped up across the west, including Greenwood, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Home to numerous thriving businesses, education, and health facilities, Greenwood became known as Black Wall Street. This was due to the community’s wealth and self-sufficiency. But how did these individuals, who were only decades removed from slavery, accomplish such a feat? And what can those who care about strengthening communities learn from their example? This work aims to demonstrate how we can gain insight into the present and beyond by looking toward the past.

Coming in April 2023

Launching in April 2023, Black to the Future: Lessons from Black Wall Street for Community and Economic Prosperity is co-authored by Drs. LaRachelle Samuel Smith and William H. Turner with Page Publishing as the publishing partner. When you read this e-book, you will understand:

• The six “Pillars of Success.”
• How Black Wall Street used these pillars to facilitate its prosperity.
• Why targeting the wealth gap is key to any empowerment approach.
• Best practices for executing strategies for today.
• How you as an entrepreneur, leader, or community member can play a vital role in the success of your community.

Black to the Future: Lessons from Black Wall Street for Community and Economic Prosperity will be available in e-book, audiobook, and paperback print.