What were the historic Black Wall Streets across America and how are they being revitalized today?
Black Wall Streets were thriving African American business districts that existed in many cities across America beyond just Tulsa, including Jackson Ward in Richmond, Virginia; Hayti in Durham; 9th Street in Little Rock; and the Fourth Avenue district in Birmingham. These communities featured banks, insurance companies, and cultural establishments, like St. Luke's Penny Savings Bank founded by Maggie L. Walker in 1903. Today, these historic districts are experiencing revitalization as Black entrepreneurs return to establish businesses in these areas. Cicely Mitchell's jazz club in Durham, the continuing legacy of Nelson Brothers Cafe (operating since 1938), and other Black-owned establishments are rekindling the spirit of self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship that defined these communities. Despite historic challenges including highways dividing these neighborhoods, modern business owners are demonstrating resilience by rebuilding these essential economic hubs.
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Reviving Black Wall Streets Across America
ABC News·8 months ago