Black Wall Street Fest Returns for a Second Year

Black Wall Street Fest is coming back to Woodlawn on September 9, 2023, to celebrate the rich history and future of Black-owned businesses and community pride in Chicago while honoring the original Black Wall Street’s legacy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The theme is “Coming to the 21st Century,” with financial literacy, empowerment, health awareness, fashion, entertainment, vendors, and more.

“Who is J.B. Stradford, and how did Black Wall Street begin?” That is the question posed by moderator Simeon Henderson last year during a panel discussion at Woodlawn Diversity in Action’s inaugural Black Wall Street Fest. According to his great-granddaughter, Laurel Stradford, J.B. Stradford and his father were brought from Africa and forced into enslavement, and J.B. eventually taught himself to speak English and survive. After being taken to Stratford, Ontario, with his enslaver, J.B. changed his last name to Stradford and reclaimed his freedom. Laurel received a picture of J.B. as a birthday gift from her Aunt Jewel after turning eight years old and. From that point, she was on a mission to learn about and preserve her great-grandfather’s history. Though he died before she was born, she felt a connection. “He started Black Wall Street simply because he wanted to help people.” J.B. Stradford was instrumental in developing the Tulsa neighborhood of Black Wall Street, as coined by New York’s Wall Street, because of the wealth created. He built a hotel in his name to create more economic opportunities for Black people, just as the schools, museums, and other institutions did. “I’m glad to be able to share this story because it makes my roots deep. The stronger the roots, the higher they become.” Simeon Henderson emphasized, “Being deeply rooted stimulates growth.”

Ms. Clark, a longtime Woodlawn resident, recalled the thriving Black businesses that once existed. “We shopped here and lived off of small businesses. Anything you wanted was within walking distance. Everybody knew each other and attended school together. “They told us we were going to be educated, but they did not tell us to come back home, make our fortune, and buy in our own community.” Henderson reiterated, “We need to learn how to circulate the dollar in our own community before it goes out.”

Kamm Howard discussed the importance of the ongoing fight for reparations and global healing. “The reparations struggle is the most major thrust for Black people here in America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. We struggle for civil and political rights as a people, no matter where we’ve been, because we’ve all experienced the same history. We’re still experiencing crimes committed against us by this government and the systems.” Starting with enslavement, these periods of crime represent historical trauma, both physical and mental, passed down generationally. “Reparations is about healing the mind, body, spirit, and internal relationships,” Howard said. He mentioned that he has been working with Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee to get President Biden to push through the federal Reparations Bill H.R. 40 by executive order. Howard proclaimed, “We cannot allow the second largest Black population in America to be unrepresented when it comes to this issue of repair for the crimes committed against us.” It is up to us to push the elected officials.

Ms. Clark, owns property in Woodlawn passed down by her grandmother, who first occupied the building in 1943. Speaking of being resilient in difficult times, Ms. Clark emphasized the importance of holding on to what we have and not falling for offers to relinquish ownership. “We need to hold hands and stay together,” she said. We have to focus more on building generational wealth.

When it comes to being safe and protecting Black businesses in the face of an uprising, Kamm Howard stated, “We have to own the majority of the stores so that the business community is the Black community.” He added, “When you hire people in your community, you’re protected by your community and don’t have to worry about it turning against you.”

Ms. Clark said that we must hold public officials accountable for structural development in the community and monitor their progress. Also, we must take back control of our streets by speaking to young people and doing what is necessary to keep them on track. “We have to be strong and courageous and plant the seed,” Henderson said.

Laurel Stratford said that the key to preserving the legacy of Black Wall Street is to understand its greatness and remain focused on growth. She often travels to Tulsa to support new businesses and has rebuilt J.B. Stradford’s hotel. Ms. Clark has committed to supporting young people and ensuring they have access to opportunities. Simeon Henderson brought the panel to a close, reminding us that the future depends on our willingness to share knowledge and help each other grow.