PARADIGM SHIFT: Remember Who You Are

William Leidesdorff, Jr :: America's Forgotten First Black Millionaire And Inventor of San Francisco (SOURCE: THE DAILY BEAST)

wILLIAM leidesdorff HISTORICAL MARKER: PHOTO BY CHARLES RIGGS (sOURCE: WELLS FARGO BLOG)

Whenever I look around "the 'hood" and see the Salons, Barbershops and Churches that are Black-owned, I am struck by the false narrative shadowing our view of American Black business culture.
In fact, there are still many other Black-owned businesses in neighborhoods like these, it just isn't publicized.
Why?
This country is built on Black inventions, and many were able to gain patents that provided the beginnings of real wealth.
The "Black Wall Street" and "Rosewood" massacres did not happen because Blacks were unable to build successful business communities.
In fact, many became millionaires deep into the 1800's.
The story has been told and highlighted in a way to convince everyone that investment in a Black-owned business is historically wasted money.
Blacks have even started to believe it themselves.
How is this dangerous image reshaped?
How does a Black person do fair business in an environment that is slanted against perceived investment value?
As a producer, one can only focus on the competitive quality of product and sharper presentation.
Is that enough? Probably not... 
But maybe baring witness to the true reality... being proactive in shaping the perspective... is a step in the right direction.
We will see...

~ Grey