Black Wall Street Was a Blueprint, Not a Miracle

When I think of Black Wall Street, I think of a lot of things.

Intellect.
Survival.
Interdependence.
Unity.

It's a pinnacle of Black resilience and prosperity that will serve as an example of what's possible for generations to come.

However, most people don't know that it was one of many "Wall Streets."

Wherever Black people found themselves, they were committed to their survival. They created space for themselves when white Americans refused to do so.

What do these stories tell us? What did our community leave behind through their hard work and sacrifice?

For me, I can't stop thinking about infrastructure and interdependence.

They built businesses. They gave those businesses infrastructure. Then they spread the word. Together, those things created ecosystems of prosperity.

Why is this so important?

Why do we need this again?

Why does it need to be about Black business and Black ecosystems?

Because until we can be responsible for our own flourishing, we will always be at the mercy of someone else's generosity—or lack thereof.

Now, one thing I want to clarify.

Black entrepreneurship has been on the rise. In 2023, the number of Black-owned businesses operating in the United States surpassed 200,000.²

Too few people are telling this story.

Hell, we don't even know this story.

Black entrepreneurs are building more businesses than ever before, but their impact still represents only about 1% of gross business revenue in the United States.³

So where do things change for us?

What needs to happen for us to experience a level of flourishing that we can actually feel? To move from survival to thriving?

I think we have to master two things.

Infrastructure.

Interdependence.

Black Wall Street wasn't successful simply because Black people owned businesses. It was successful because those businesses were built to endure and connected to one another.

Infrastructure isn't one thing. It's the collection of systems that allows a business to flourish.

Every business needs four essential systems.

• A brand.

• A business model.

• An operating system.

• A marketing system.

They look different for every business, but each one plays a vital role.

The easiest way to see these systems at work is to watch what happens when opportunity shows up.

Look at Keith Lee.

An entrepreneur who built an empire through honest, everyman food reviews. His videos create floods of customers for businesses, driving awareness not only of their business, but of his as well.

If Keith Lee visits your business and leaves a positive review, you can expect an influx. But you better be ready for it.

If your operating system is strong, you'll reap the benefits. If it's weak, you risk the downfall of your business.

Here are the takeaways.

The businesses already exist.

Awareness gets people to your business. Infrastructure gives them a reason to come back.

This is where Thrive shows up strong.

We strengthen businesses so they can strengthen the communities around them.

Because building a business is one thing.

Building a successful one is another.

One more takeaway from what we see in Keith Lee's work.

I would argue it's the most important one.

We've been showing up. We show up in droves to support our people. No one is forcing us. No one is promising us anything. We're simply showing up.

And that's where the power lies.

Our dollar matters.

We just need to know where to spend it.

The narratives may suggest otherwise, but together we are changing the trajectory for Black business owners, their families, and their communities.

Black Wall Street wasn't the exception.

It was the example.

The question isn't whether it's possible.

The question is whether we'll build it again.

Sources

¹ Essence. 9 Historic Black Wall Streets You Should Know.
https://www.essence.com/uncategorized/9-historic-black-wall-streets-you-should-know/

² Brookings Institution. Rise Up Economics: Why Local Black Business Growth Is Powering National Trends.
https://www.brookings.edu/events/rise-up-economics-why-local-black-business-growth-is-powering-national-trends/

³ Pew Research Center. A Look at Black-Owned Businesses in the U.S.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/02/12/a-look-at-black-owned-businesses-in-the-us/