OUR MISSION
Eliminate the racial wealth gap in Muskegon and surrounding areas by increasing the number and success rate of Black Owned Businesses and Reviving Black Wall Street: One Black Owned Business at a Time.
OUR VISION
To create an incubator that provides growth, economic stability and an Increased life span of the African American dollar within the African American community; Through entrepreneurship technical training, high exposure events, affordable marketing, and an interactive social networking space.
ORIGIN OF BLACK WALL STREET
History
The Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma was home to Black Wall Street, was one of the most commercially successful and affluent majority-African American communities in the United States. This was a community that had bustling Black owned businesses, theaters, schools, social health, and a strong distribution of wealth among its middle and upper classes. Reports estimate the community had more than 10,000 African American residents, and most of them were thriving. Black Wall Street was the epitome of a self-sustaining community and strength. Black people supported each other, which allowed for easier access to resources, savings, housing, jobs, education, and health. An accusation of sexual assault was the match that ignited the smoldering hatred and resentment of the thriving Black Wall Street community. The accusation inspired a lynch mob, which included nearly 2,000 Ku Klux Klan members who wanted to get “justice.” Everything came crashing down on Black Wall Street on May 31, 1921. In just 16 hours, police had arrested 60% of Black residents living in Black Wall Street. Mobs burned Black owned businesses and homes, and murdered hundreds of Black citizens. When Black men joined forces to protect their homes, they were ultimately driven out in fear for their lives. By today’s estimates, the dreadful and murderous 16 hours caused more than $30 million in damages. The residents of Greenwood were blamed for the death and destruction, and the government made it nearly impossible to rebuild. But we can rebuild a new Black Wall Street now by working together. Here at Black Wall Street Muskegon, we know that sometimes all it takes to change the world is a little support. Since our founding in April 2019, we have been determined to make an impact. The core of our efforts is to bring awareness, opportunities and economic stability to black owned businesses in the Muskegon, Muskegon Heights and surrounding areas. Through all of our endeavors we hope to display the conviction behind our beliefs.
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