Author, Philanthropist And Actor Hill Harper Talks Race Massacre, Economic Growth In Black Communities

The Tulsa Race Massacre destroyed Black Wall Street, one of the wealthiest Black communities in the nation. Actor and philanthropist Hill Harper said he plans to be instrumental in igniting economic growth inside Black communities.

“Black Wall Street was bustling,” Harper said. “The white community was bustling. Then, you had this horrific event perpetrated by racism, white racists, and it crushed the soul of the city.”

Harper believes the ramifications of the massacre continues to impact Black communities to this day. Black Americans currently hold less than 1 percent of America’s wealth.

“The vast majority of 35 million Black Americans, institutional and systemic racism has created so many barriers to entry and income inequality that we have a massive wealth gap that’s only just expanding,” Harper said. “It’s not getting better. It’s getting worse.”

Harper commemorates the Greenwood community with a new app called Black Wall Street, which launched Monday. The app is designed to stimulate economic growth in Black communities.

“We want to provide access to everyone, but most importantly, it starts with financial literacy and financial education,” Harper said.

Harper said the official launch of The Black Wall Street digital wallet will be at sundown to coincide with the start of the Tulsa Race Massacre.