Tulsa, Oklahoma – Greenwood: The Original Black Wall Street (The Forgotten Empires: Black Wall Streets of America) Paperback – July 25, 2025

Discover the untold story of America's most prosperous Black community—and the devastating massacre that destroyed it.In the early 1900s, a remarkable community flourished in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Known as "Black Wall Street," the Greenwood District was home to over 10,000 African Americans who had built something extraordinary: a thriving, self-sufficient economic powerhouse that challenged every racist assumption about Black capability and success.From O.W. Gurley's visionary purchase of 40 acres in 1905 to the golden age of the 1910s, Greenwood boasted more than 600 businesses, including luxury hotels, movie theaters, hospitals, schools, and even its own bus line. Entrepreneurs like J.B. Stradford, Dr. A.C. Jackson, and dozens of others created generational wealth and proved that when freed from the constraints of segregation, Black Americans could achieve remarkable prosperity.Then, in just 18 hours, it was all destroyed.On May 31 and June 1, 1921, a white mob of thousands invaded Greenwood, systematically burning, looting, and murdering. Using military tactics and even aircraft, they reduced 35 city blocks to ash, killed an estimated 300 people, and left 10,000 homeless. It was one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history—and then it was covered up for decades."Tulsa, Oklahoma – Greenwood: The Original Black Wall Street" tells the complete story:• The visionary entrepreneurs who built an economic miracle from nothing • The thriving businesses and institutions that made Greenwood legendary • The devastating massacre that destroyed it all in a single day • The decades-long cover-up that buried the truth • The ongoing fight for justice and reparations that continues todayDrawing on survivor testimonies, historical records, and recent archaeological discoveries, author James G. Edwards II reveals not just what was lost, but what it means for America today. This is more than history—it's a blueprint for economic empowerment, a testament to human resilience, and a urgent reminder of what happens when prosperity threatens the status quo.Perfect for readers of:The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel WilkersonStamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. KendiThe Color of Money by Mehrsa BaradaranEssential reading for anyone seeking to understand:The true history of Black economic success in AmericaThe systematic destruction of Black wealthThe ongoing impact of racial violence on communitiesLessons for building resilient, self-sufficient communities today"When we understand what was destroyed in Greenwood, we begin to understand what's possible when Black communities control their own economic destiny." —From the Introduction Read more