By Clayton Gutzmore
(Source The Atlanta Voice):
Black Wall Street is a significant part of Black history for many people. Unfortunately, this time is not discussed enough nor widely taught in schools. The Financial Literacy Institute Inc. (TFLI) is leading this subject for their upcoming event, The Black Wall Street Black Business Expo. This day-long event gathers experts to teach business owners ways to excel. The expo provides a space for networking and the opportunity to see Mother Viola Fletcher, one of the last living survivors from Black Wall Street.
“You should attend the Black Wall Street Black business expo because history will be there.
Mother Viola Fletcher is the oldest living survivor of Black Wall Street. We are going to talk about our history and how to use our dollar to affect social change,” said Jasmine Young, Founder & President of The Financial Literacy Institute Inc.
The Black Wall Street Black Business Expo is happening Saturday, June 1, at the Essence Venue in Atlanta, GA. Guests at the Expo can participate in panels about group economics, corporate social responsibility, and our patterns of spending money. 2024 is the third year of the expo. Young and her team are emphasizing civic engagement this year. Young explains that lack of engagement in state and local politics has become an obstacle for locals to achieve financial freedom. TFLI uses the history of Black Wall Street to illustrate what the Black community was and to reveal the potential of what it can become.
“To know where we’re going, we must know where we’ve been. It’s very important for me to bring the story of Black Wall Street alive. Many people don’t have as much knowledge as they should about the community in the Greenwood district. My goal for this event is to show our people that what we are trying to attain is not far-fetched,” said Young.
In 1921, Tulsa, Oklahoma, had a thriving community of Black business owners and their families who lived in the Greenwood district. This area was referred to as Black Wall Street. Sadly, this community was burned to the ground by racists, causing many lives to be lost. This moment in time is known as the Tulsa Massacre. According to the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, 300 lives were lost in the tragedy. From May 31 to June 1, 1921, severe looting and rioting occurred in the Greenwood District. The damage was so bad the community never recovered. Mother Fletcher is one of two living survivors of the Tulsa Massacre. TFLI is organizing a parade at 8 am on June 1 to welcome Mother Fletcher to Atlanta.
“I want people to leave with that same spirit that Mother Fletcher has. The fact that she is 110 years old and has been resilient despite losing everything due to the Tulsa race massacre. She still lives in a state of peace and love that has not been tainted by racism,” said Young.
TFLI will honor the graduates of its GAP program at the Black Wall Street Black Business Expo. The organization coordinated an eight-week boot camp for local entrepreneurs to learn how to build sustainable businesses. The last topic students learn is business session planning. TFLI wants its graduates to be able to pass down their businesses so generational wealth can start with them.
“The reason we end with business succession planning is because we want our Black business owners to be able to pass down wealth through entrepreneurship. By having these succession plans in place, generations that come behind them won’t have to start over,” said Young.
The Financial Literary Institute compiled the right resources for an Expo that will motivate and empower guests who want to succeed in entrepreneurship. Young and her team want to use the methods of the Greenwood District to build a community as strong as Black Wall Street.
“You should come to the expo to support the Black businesses there. You should also engage in group economics like our ancestors did in the Greenwood District. That will move the needle regarding social justice,” said Young.
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