Sometimes motivation to do something new can come from looking back at history. Richmond, Virginia is often known as the former capital of the confederacy, but rarely do you hear people refer to Richmond as the “Cradle of Black Capitalism.” There is a rich history in the city after the Civil War of entrepreneurship and prosperity for people of color that is often overlooked. You hear about Harlem and Greenwood all the time but not enough people talk about Jackson Ward. Ironically, it was also the first neighborhood to be referred to as “The Black Wall Street of America.” It is literally the birthplace of finance for African-Americans. There is a good article in the Root that talks about “The Other Black Wall Streets” that is worth a read.
Jackson Ward represents what was and what can be at the same time. It became a thriving district of banks and businesses owned by people of color in the post Civil War era. I must admit I used to come visit family in Richmond when I was growing up in Texas and I was oblivious to the rich history of Jackson Ward. When I moved to Richmond five years ago, I started to intentionally learn more about this area of town. In every city I visit I try to find black businesses to support. Often in this quest I discover neighborhoods with a deep cultural history.
My wife and I took a drive through Jackson Ward last weekend. I’ve driven through Jackson Ward several times before and I’ve eaten at many of the great restaurants there…this time I wanted to just experience the neighborhood and take in the history and culture. I like to drive and think and some of my best ideas come from that. I drove past the Rev. William Washington Browne House, the Maggie Walker statue and the Maggie Walker Historic Site, the Hippodrome, Southern Kitchen, Soul Taco, Mama J’s, Suzy Sno and the People’s Bank building (once home to Consolidated Bank & Trust Company where Maggie Walker served as CEO) and many other landmarks in the area. I was nostalgic about what the neighborhood used to be while at the same time excited about the businesses from people of color that are keeping the culture in the neighborhood.
I thought about how Browne, a former slave, charted the first Black owned bank in America and how Maggie Walker became the first African American woman and woman of any race to serve as bank president in America right in this neighborhood. I thought about all the Black owned businesses that were cultivated here after the Civil War and thrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I thought about Duke Ellington and the many great jazz musicians that played at the Hippodrome. I thought about all the people that looked like me and created something great in spite of their circumstances in this neighborhood once known as “The Harlem of the South” in the city that was once the capitol of the confederacy.
I drove away inspired for the new year and ready to get to work! I encourage you to take a drive down memory lane and explore the history around you. That drive just might serve as a catalyst to cultivate new ideas that guide you on the road to your future.
