How Businesses in Black Wall Street Helped Their Community’s Economy Grow
BY SUOMO QUARSHIE, GRADE 8
On May 31, 1921 a white mob attacked the Greenwood district of Oklahoma, also known as Black Wall Street. This tragic event, also known as the Tulsa Massacre, left Black Wall Street in shambles and killed hundreds of people. Prior to the attack, Black Wall Street was a very prosperous community. O.W Gurley, the founder of Black Wall Street, purchased the land because he had an idea to “create something for black people by black people,” says Clark Alexis in “Tulsa's 'Black Wall Street' Flourished as a Self-Contained Hub in Early 1900s.”
After hearing about the prosperity and safety of the Black Wall Street community, people from all over the country flocked to the area. Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of the community, more people started businesses, and the population continued to increase. Black Wall Street developed into a vibrant, flourishing community with a growing economy.
Black Wall Street's economy thrived for many reasons, including the community created by its inhabitants. According to this article on the origins on Black Wall Street, O.W Gurley, the creator of Black Wall Street, purchased 40 acres of land in Greenwood, opened a rooming house, and turned the area into Black Wall Street. After hearing about this black-founded community that was a haven from the rampant racial oppression across the US, many Black people moved to Greenwood. Gurley also sold the land to Black entrepreneurs and gave them business loans to launch their ventures, as stated in The Past, Present and Future of Black Wall Street. Over time, Greenwood gained hair salons, grocery stores, and luxury shops. With all this new development, the area's economy started to boom. This boom can also be attributed to a few business owners that grew incredibly successful businesses.
One of these business owners was Mabel Little. Mabel Little moved to Tulsa when she was 17 to attend college. Six years after arriving in Tulsa, Mrs. Little started a beauty salon called the Little Rose Beauty Salon. The salon was extremely successful, amassing over 600 clients. According to Kelsey Briggs in this article about Mrs. Little, the salon was so successful that Mrs. Little had to hire three more beauticians to meet the demand.
Mabel Little during an interview. Tulsaworld.com
Two more business owners that helped grow Black Wall Street’s economy were John and Louola Williams. John and Loula were some of the first people to live on Black Wall Street, after moving from Mississippi together. After four years of living in Black Wall Street, John got a job working on chilling equipment at The Thompson Ice Cream Company. With the money from John’s new job, the Williams family bought Greenwood’s first car. But John was not the sole earner of the family – Loula also owned a successful confectionery. Her confectionery was located in a three story building purchased by the Williams, according to Victory of Greenwood: John and Loula Williams. Her confectionery was a very popular spot for all, regardless of race. She sold sweets, soda and more. The Williams’ success allowed them to later open a movie theater. This family helped Black Wall Street's economy grow by investing their earnings back into the community.
The Williams family in their car. Tulsa Historical Society & Museum
J.B. Stradford was another business owner and community leader that helped Black Wall Street thrive. J.B Stratford was from Versailles, KY, and the son of an enslaved man. J.B's father escaped from enslavement and freed the rest of his family. Stratford attended Oberlin College and earned a degree in law. After college, Stratford moved to Greenwood in search of business opportunities and befriended Gurley. They decided to collaborate, buying and selling land to other Black entrepreneurs. All of J.B's efforts helped the economy grow by assisting other members of the community in their entrepreneurial efforts.
Black Wall Street’s success served as a model for many other successful, predominantly Black communities that have arisen over the last century. The tragic fire that reduced the community to ashes could never reduce its legacy. The success and communal ties of Black Wall Street will forever live on, as will the key figures that helped this community thrive.
This article was written during the GWS Summer Writing Workshop. Taught by the GWS Publication Team, the workshop hosted young journalists in grades 1 through 12, each with a passion for writing and learning. Over five weeks throughout the summer, students brainstormed, researched, outlined, drafted, revised, and ultimately produced an article about a topic related to women in business. Learn more about the workshop here.
