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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 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
56 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
53 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
25 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 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
19 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 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
19 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 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
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