For years the black community has focussed its energy on securing jobs, climbing the corporate ladder and fighting for equitable treatment in the workplace and political area.  We believed that this strategy would net our community significant social and economic benefits.  Unfortunately, this strategy has not produced the benefits the black community has hoped for as a whole.

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After the Civil Rights Bills passed in the 1960s, the black upper- and middle-classes migrated from the safe inner city to the hostile white suburb.  With this exodus, and their considerable disposable income, came the collapse of the black business community and the breakdown of the black family.  Fifty (50%) percent of black-owned businesses failed after the 1960s.  The many thriving black business districts around the country were decimated after desegregation.  As a result, the foundation of the black neighborhood imploded and has yet to recover.  The black marriage rate went from over 50% in 1950 to 30% today.  In 1965, 8% of black children were born out of wedlock.  By 2010, it was 72%.

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Per Capita Business Revenue by Race

                                                                                           Black                    White                       Asian                    Hispanic

Business Revenue                                            $188 bil               $13 tril                    $800 bil                $474 oil  

Population                                                          42 mil                   197 mil                   17 mil                    52 mil

Per Capita Business Revenue                       $4,500                 $66,000                  $47,100                $9,200

 

Average Household Wealth

                                                                               1963                     2016                       Change

Black                                                                     $19,504              $139,523               $120,019

White                                                                   $140,633            $919,336               $778,703

Difference                                                           $121,129           $779,813             

        

Community is defined as a group of individuals whose members empower, support, encourage, protect, motivate, strengthen, inspire, respect, uplift and trust each other.  Blacks have been indoctrinated to think "every man for himself", while other cultures are indoctrinated to think "leave no man behind".  We must transform how we think about ourselves and the importance of a strong vibrant community.

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We believe Adinkra Hene Village can be another great black business district following in the footsteps of the once very thriving and prosperous Bronzeville, Chicago; Central Avenue, Los Angeles; Farish Street, Jackson, MS; Fourth Avenue, Birmingham; Greenwood, Tulsa; Harlem, NY; Hayti District, Durham; Jackson Ward, Richmond; Jefferson Street, Nashville; Morris Street, Charleston; Rock Hill, Charlotte; Seventh Street, Oakland; Sweet Auburn, Atlanta; Tenth Street, Dallas; The Ville, St. Louis; U Street, Washington, DC; Walnut Street, Louisville and 18th and Vine, Kansas City, MO. 

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TBF believes that Adinkra Hene Village will be a transformative project for the black community.  We are seeking support from those who believe in the social, cultural and economic importance and necessity of the black community.

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This effort will integrate local black businesses with local black consumers, making it easy and convenient for residents to shop and "think black first".  It will infuse capital into our community, create jobs, pay a living wage, provide educational scholarships, increase net worth, cultivate the next generation of black entrepreneurs and foster an environment of self-reliance and cultural pride.