News

Who Is O.W. Gurley? The Man Who Envisioned And Built Black Wall Street

At the turn of the 20th century, Ottawa W. Gurley, a prominent African-American landowner from Arkansas, embarked on a journey that would shape the landscape of opportunity for Black Americans. Known as O.W. Gurley, this visionary entrepreneur was pivotal in establishing Black Wall Street in  Tulsa, Oklahoma, a flourishing hub of Black-owned businesses and prosperity amidst racial segregation and discrimination. That was until the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, when, over two days of white supremacist terrorist massacre 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed around 26 Black residents and leveled the community.

Gurley’s journey began with a bold move to participate in the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889, shortly after resigning from a presidential appointment under President Grover Cleveland. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to Tulsa in 1906, where he acquired 40 acres of land designated exclusively for Black ownership—a groundbreaking feat in a time when racial segregation was deeply entrenched.

The Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 was the first land run into the Unassigned Lands of former Indian Territory, which had earlier been assigned to the Creek and Seminole peoples. A land run or land rush is when previously restricted land of the U.S. was opened to homestead on a first-arrival basis.

Gurley used his lad to form the Greenwood district, as it came to be known. It emerged as a beacon of economic empowerment for Black Americans.

“You had the wealthy, middle class, the poor Blacks all living on the same block, and so many of those individuals who started out in the working class, because they lived there, would eventually go on to own their own business in the Greenwood District. That’s a result of Gurley’s contributions,” Dr. Michael Carter, Sr., founder and national president of the Black Wall Street USA national movement, said to told Inc. Magazine.

Gurley owned and operated numerous businesses, including a rooming house that provided refuge for Black migrants fleeing oppression in the South. Gurley also played a pivotal role in founding the Vernon African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, a cornerstone of the Greenwood community. He lost all of it during the Tulsa Massacre, in total, according to court records, e lost nearly $200,000, according to Black Wall Street.

He ultimately left Tulsa. Gurley died from arteriosclerosis and a cerebral hemorrhage, in Los Angeles, on Aug. 6, 1935, at the age of 67.

Related Posts

Oprah Winfrey SHUTS DOWN Show, Plans Move to Italy – “I REFUSE to Breathe the Same Air as Elon Musk for 4 More Years”

Breaking News: Oprah Winfrey Abruptly Ends Show “It’s All Elon Musk’s Fault,” Announces Permanent Move Out of the U.S. In a move that has stunned fans and media…

The View and Whoopi Goldberg are humorously ridiculed by Karoline Leavitt in a live TV confrontation. Karoline Leavitt delivered a vicious critique of Whoopi Goldberg and The View with razor-sharp wit and unflinching composure.

Karoline Leavitt humorously took aim at Whoopi Goldberg and “The View” during a live TV appearance, leaving audiences buzzing. Critics claim Goldberg is “well past her sell-by date,”…

5 minutes ago: Michael Jordan Refuses to Shoot Woke Commercial with Robert De Niro and reveals 5 shocking words about this controversial director

The sports and entertainment worlds are buzzing after basketball legend Michael Jordan made headlines with a bold refusal to collaborate with acclaimed actor Robert De Niro. The controversy…

Jasmine Crockett LOSES IT when Elon Musk confronts her face-to-face! Elon Musk’s question leaves Jasmine Crockett stammering and the studio in an uproar

In a heated exchange that set social media ablaze, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and billionaire Elon Musk clashed face-to-face during a recent televised event, leaving the audience stunned and…

LIVE TV STUNNER! Jimmy Kimmel threw a smug jab at Karoline Leavitt—and was instantly roasted. One quick-witted comeback from Leavitt left the studio in silence, wiped the smile off Kimmel’s face, and had the crowd erupting.

The Pentagon’s recent defense of its decision to classify military launch times has sparked controversy, raising questions about transparency and political motivations. At a White House press briefing,…

Elon Musk’s Heartfelt Message About His Mother’s Battle with Cancer – News

A deep wave of sorrow has engulfed the technology sector in response to Elon Musk’s revelation about his mother, Maye Musk, who has been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *