The man often credited with creating Black Wall Street is O.W. Gurley (Ottowa W. Gurley), a wealthy African American landowner and entrepreneur.
Who Was O.W. Gurley?
- Born in 1868 in Arkansas, he was a self-made businessman who later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- In 1906, he purchased 40 acres of land, specifically for Black people to own and build businesses.
- He refused to sell land to white buyers, ensuring Black economic independence in the Greenwood District.
The Rise of Black Wall Street
- The Greenwood District in Tulsa became a thriving hub of Black-owned businesses, including hotels, banks, theaters, restaurants, and law offices.
- It was one of the wealthiest Black communities in the U.S. in the early 20th century.
- Gurley himself owned a hotel, grocery stores, and rental properties, helping other Black entrepreneurs succeed.
The Tulsa Race Massacre (1921)
- In May 1921, a white mob attacked and destroyed Black Wall Street, killing hundreds and leaving thousands homeless.
- Businesses and homes were burned, and the community never fully recovered.
- Gurley lost much of his wealth and later moved to Los Angeles, where he lived until his death in 1935.
Legacy
- Today, Gurley is remembered as a pioneer of Black entrepreneurship and a key figure in early Black economic empowerment.
- The story of Black Wall Street has inspired modern movements focused on Black wealth and community development.
