Black Wall Street was a thriving African American business district in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the turn of the 20th century. It was one of the most prosperous black communities in the United States and was known for its black-owned businesses, schools, churches, and hospitals.
The community was founded in 1906 by a group of Black entrepreneurs who had been forced out of other parts of Tulsa due to racial discrimination. Black Wall Street quickly became a symbol of black economic empowerment and was home to a thriving middle class.
Unfortunately, Black Wall Street was destroyed in the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, when a white mob attacked the community, killing an estimated 300 people and burning down over 1,000 homes and businesses. The massacre was one of the worst acts of racial violence in American history.
In the years since the massacre, Black Wall Street has been rebuilt and is once again a thriving community. It is now home to several Black-owned businesses, including restaurants, shops, and professional offices.
Black Wall Street is a reminder of the resilience and determination of the African American community in the face of adversity. It is also a symbol of the economic power that Black Americans can achieve when they are given the opportunity.
The Future of Black Wall Street
The Black Wall Street Times reported the news of Senate Bill S. 3543 that proposes the establishment of Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument to preserve the legacy of Tulsa’s Historic African American Business District and 1921 Race Massacre.
