🎄Post-Holiday Sale! + Black Wall Street✊🏾

The Black Art Depot sent this email to their subscribers on January 19, 2025.

Black Wall Street: A Legacy of Economic Excellence and a Vision for Tomorrow

Imagine walking down a bustling street in 1920s America. The aroma of fresh-baked bread wafts from a nearby restaurant, the sound of jazz floats from a crystal-chandeliered hotel, and sharply dressed professionals hurry between brick office buildings. But this isn't New York or Chicago—this is Tulsa's Greenwood District, where Black Americans built something unprecedented: a self-sustaining ecosystem of Black excellence and prosperity that would become known as "Black Wall Street."

"In Greenwood, a dollar would change hands 19 times before it left the community," remembers Buck Colbert Franklin, a prominent Black attorney and survivor. "That's what you call real wealth-building."

Indeed, along these red-brick streets, a revolution in Black economics was quietly taking place—one that would set a standard for Black achievement that remains unmatched today.

The Birth of Black Excellence

The story begins with a visionary named O.W. Gurley, who saw possibility where others saw empty prairie. When he purchased 40 acres of Tulsa land, he dedicated himself to an extraordinary vision: creating opportunities for Black families and entrepreneurs to own property and build generational wealth in an era when such opportunities were systematically denied to them. That single choice sparked a chain reaction of Black entrepreneurship that would transform Greenwood into America's most prosperous Black community.

Take J.B. Stradford's luxury hotel at 301 N. Greenwood Avenue. With its 54 rooms, fine dining restaurant, and crystal chandeliers, the largest Black-owned hotel in America demonstrated the power of unrestricted Black enterprise.

"A dollar should circulate half a dozen times within the community before it leaves." - J.B. Stradford

The Williams Family—Simon and John—established the Williams Dream Theater and the Williams Confectionery. Their businesses became central gathering places where community members could enjoy entertainment and discuss business ventures. These venues doubled as entrepreneurial breeding grounds, where business ideas flourished alongside entertainment.

Economic Mastery in Action

What made Greenwood extraordinary was how its wealth circulated. While today's African American communities typically see a dollar leave within hours of being spent, Greenwood's dollar circulated 36 to 100 times before leaving the community. This.....

FEATURED ART

Black Wall Street

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Black Wall Street: Economic Excellence

$124.99

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Black Wall Street: Arson.Loot.Murder.

$124.99

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POST HOLIDAY-SALE: 25% OFF NATIVITY SET

Unto Us a Child is Born Nativity Scene/Set

$89.99 $119.99

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Sale Expires: 01/31/25

FEATURED AFRICAN MASK

TRUE LEGEND

Victor Dushie

Hand-carved in Ghana by master artisan Victor Dushie and his team, the "True Legend" African mask pays homage to revolutionary leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, and Queen Amina of Zazzau. This stunning piece, meticulously crafted from resilient sese wood, captures the strength and spirit of Africa's greatest champions. Each 12-inch mask is adorned with shimmering brass and aluminum plate accents, creating a dramatic interplay of wood and metal that commands attention on any wall.

While African masks traditionally served as powerful conduits in ceremonies and spiritual rituals, today they stand as bridges between past and present. Each unique "True Legend" mask features traditional scarification patterns rendered in gleaming brass and aluminum, telling stories of heritage and cultural pride. From the two-week wood drying process to the final lustrous metal details, every aspect has been thoughtfully crafted to honor West African artistry while transforming your space into a gallery of living history.

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35% OFF: POST HOLIDAY SALE

Jumpstart Your 2025 Holiday Magic!

Post-Holiday Sale - 35% Off Select Christmas Treasures

Get ahead on next year's holiday decorating and save 35% on select Christmas favorites. Transform next year's home into a festive wonderland. Transform next year's home into a festive wonderland with our enchanting collection of Santa Claus figurines. Add timeless elegance with our handcrafted nativity sets, or refresh your tree with our charming ornaments.

Use code SEASONAL35 at checkout to Save 35% on select items including:

Collector-quality Santa figurines
Beautifully detailed nativity sets
Classic Christmas ornaments

Hurry - this two-week sale ends January 31st, 2025.

Shop now and give yourself something magical to look forward to next Christmas season. These beloved pieces are ready to become part of your family's holiday traditions.