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Our Blog Posts
Learn the history of LaVilla and historic Black Wall Streets, CRE crowdfunding, and the future of wealth building and
historic revitalization.
Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Act—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 15 of 28, Henrietta Duterte)
Social elite, business woman, and Abolitionist Henrietta Bowers Duterte created wealth and history in business affairs and compassion.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
4 days ago4 min read
4 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Act—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 14 of 28, Amanda America Dickson Toomer)
Wealthy heiress and businesswoman Amanda America Dickson (1849-1893) was one of the wealthiest women in 19th century Georgia and the U.S.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
4 days ago3 min read
10 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Act—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 13/28, Sara Rector)
Sarah Rector, oil magnate, investor, businesswoman and land owner beat all odds, greed, and exploitation to live a live a life of opulence.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Mar 226 min read
18 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Act—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 12/28, Eunice W. Johnson)
Fashion and Publishing Mogul, Eunice W. Johnson built a brand and media empire cited in the Forbes list of 400 wealthiest Americans.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Mar 174 min read
46 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Act—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 11/28, Josephine Baker)
"Surely the day will come when color means nothing more than the skin tone, when religion is seen uniquely as a way to speak one's soul;...
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Feb 234 min read
52 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Act—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 10/28, Lucille Bishop Smith)
Lucille B. Smith is a pioneer in the culinary industry, commercializing the U.S. first commercial baking mixes.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Feb 213 min read
24 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Act—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 9/28, Hattie McDaniel)
At the height of her career, Hattie McDaniel became a woman of financial means and influence after becoming the first Black Oscar winner.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Feb 193 min read
30 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Movement—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 7 of 28, Annie Turnbo Malone)
Annie Minerva Turnbo Malone (1869-1957). The wealthiest person in 1920's St. Louis, a self proclaimed "Beauty Doctor" and global success.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Feb 134 min read
15 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Movement—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 8 of 28, Sara Spencer Washington)
Business tycoons, golf course and hotel owners, serial entrepreneurs; these are the powerful Black women business owners of the early 1900s.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Feb 134 min read
24 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Movement—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 6 of 28, Maggie Lena Walker)
“Business means work, successful business means money, and money answereth all things.”- Maggie Lena Walker Maggie Lena Walker Maggie...
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Feb 104 min read
17 views
0 comments
Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Movement—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 5 of 28, Madam CJ Walker)
Among the earliest wealth builders were multi talented, gifted saleswomen, job creators, and community investors. Meet Madam C.J. Walker.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Feb 54 min read
17 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Movement—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 4 of 28, Elizabeth Keckley)
Among the earliest wealth builders in the U.S. is a compassionate confidant, author, and fashion entrepreneur named Elizabeth Keckley.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Feb 44 min read
16 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Movement—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 3 of 28, Bridget "Biddy" Mason)
The early wealth builders were fearless, politically and socially savvy, fearless Black women. Meet Bridget "Biddy" Mason of Los Angeles.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Feb 34 min read
43 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Movement—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 2 of 28, Mary Ellen Pleasant)
The early wealth builders were fearless, savvy, Black women. Meet Mary Ellen Pleasant and the rise and fall of a multimillionaire's fortune.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Feb 23 min read
34 views
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Lost Fortunes: The Wealthy Black Women Who Built Empires Before the Civil Rights Movement—And Where Their Wealth Went (Part 1 of 28)
History remembers the triumphs of self-made millionaires like Madam C.J. Walker and the quiet power of real estate moguls like Bridget...
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Feb 12 min read
23 views
0 comments
We're Getting Ready to Launch
The New LaVilla is a visionary real estate project rooted in a deep appreciation for historical preservation and community revitalization.
Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar
Jan 222 min read
10 views
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