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The Black Wall Streets of America: Towards a Black Stock Exchange
This book takes the reader on a journey through the history of thriving Black business districts across the United States, from the Greenwood District in Tulsa to Sweet Auburn in Atlanta and Bronzeville in Chicago. Author Woody Clermont recounts their origins, their rise, and the deliberate forces that brought them down, whether through racial violence, redlining, or highway construction. Beyond its historical context, the book pivots toward the future. It lays out a detailed framework for rebuilding economic power, including the call for a Black stock exchange, the use of AI for empowerment, and policies to ensure wealth creation that can last. It is both a historical record and a forward-looking manual, blending storytelling with strategy.
I found myself deeply moved while reading. The writing has a clear rhythm, direct and unpretentious, almost like a conversation with someone who refuses to give up hope. The stories of Tulsa, Rosewood, Overtown, and Hayti broke my heart. These communities built so much from so little, only to see it wiped away. I could feel the injustice in my chest, but I also felt admiration for the resilience. Clermont’s framing of each city through metrics like business density, land ownership, and cultural vitality made the past feel real and measurable. It wasn’t just nostalgia; it was proof that prosperity was built, and proof that it can be built again.
The vision of a Black stock exchange is bold and inspiring. I caught myself wondering how much of this could really be implemented, given the political and financial climate of today. Still, the conviction in Clermont’s words carried me through those doubts. The chapters on AI as a leveling tool stood out. They challenged me to stop seeing technology as something distant or threatening, and to instead think of it as a weapon for independence. That shift in tone, from history to possibility, was what kept me turning the pages with real excitement.
I would recommend this book to anyone who cares about history, justice, and the power of ownership. It’s not just for economists or scholars. It’s for community leaders, young entrepreneurs, and even everyday readers who want to understand the depth of what was lost and the potential for what could be regained. If you’ve ever wondered how to make lasting change, this book offers both the reasons and the roadmap.
Pages: 204 | ASIN : B0FPB4HKHR
From Pitch to Close
In the illuminating and pragmatic From Pitch to Close: A Guide on How to Prepare for and What to Expect from an Investor Meeting, Chris Folayan adeptly guides readers on the journey of making a lasting impression with investors. Folayan demonstrates a keen understanding of the multifaceted world of investing, focusing specifically on the entrepreneurial journey from obscurity to empire-building. His book emerges as a precious trove of wisdom, made all the more relatable by the author’s empathetic connection with his audience. The topics are presented with eloquent clarity, and Folayan’s engaging style of writing captivates the reader from the outset.
The book addresses a critical question: Why do many startups and businesses falter? Folayan identifies one of the primary errors entrepreneurs often make – a lack of understanding of the types of investors their venture requires. Many entrepreneurs venture into the business arena with minimal knowledge or misaligned understanding, which may not be beneficial for their startups. Folayan shares insightful tips on how to identify and engage with suitable investors, as well as highlighting potential pitfalls to avoid in the quest to establish a flourishing enterprise.
As a seasoned entrepreneur, Folayan generously shares his wealth of experience in the business industry. He candidly divulges the steps he took, as well as the missteps he made, which proved costly during his entrepreneurial journey. The reader can readily sense Folayan’s breadth of experience, and his authentic, genuine narrative style is inclusive, even sharing his moments of vulnerability.
The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a specific aspect of investment. In the first part, Folayan addresses the preparation process for founders, owners, and CEOs when engaging with investors. He presents valuable questions and insightful answers that create a dialogue focusing on investor expectations in a business venture. The second part concentrates on how to comprehensively prepare your company for investor engagement. The final section emphasizes preparing your vocabulary for investors, a segment I found particularly enlightening. It reinforces the importance of language and diction when pitching to potential investors and highlights the need to understand business terminologies and the art of presenting ideas elegantly.
From Pitch to Close: A Guide on How to Prepare for and What to Expect from an Investor Meeting is a standout read, primarily due to Folayan’s relaxed yet authoritative tone. From his personal anecdotes, the ambient mood of the text, and the professional advice imparted, the reader feels a sense of comfort and reassurance, even while navigating some of the more technical terms.
Pages: 179 | ASIN : B0BVKH6WL6
Vultured
Reading Vultured was an enlightening experience not just because of the lessons shared by author Adam Starks but also because of his encouragement to readers about entrepreneurship. The book is part memoir and part business development book. It tells the story of Adam Starks, a business owner in the service industry who has seen it all.
The author journals his experiences, engaging the reader in every topic that touches on the significant challenge or wins he encountered. This book is an excellent read if you are passionate about starting a small business and you are looking for pointers from someone with extensive experience. The author uses a unique phrasing as he chronicles his business journey, family, dealing with finances, and friendships.
The book is divided into three sections, with each section covering various related topics. Adam Stark has written a captivating book that includes his personal story about running his business, personal life, lessons learned, the ups and downs of the service industry, and how to navigate the waters of entrepreneurship. The author is open and applies his frankness throughout the book.
The author is straightforward and rarely uses complex jargon in his narration. As a result, the text in the book flows naturally, and the reader can grasp the subject matter with ease. Some of the topics that I found invaluable touched on the real vultures in business and their greed, contractors, food distributors, COVID19, trademarking, and music licensing. When discussing a concept, like the expenses incurred when running a business, the author lists the key points and dissects the subject matter in detail.
The author also goes into specifics when discussing issues, not generalizing topics. Topics related to entrepreneurship include marketing, labor, sourcing for more capital, legal, dedication, and consistency when running small and medium-sized enterprises. One of the critical lessons I learned in the book is that the government is involved in small businesses indirectly. Good policies created by lawmakers will make your business flourish. This book is about entrepreneurship, but the author also educates the reader on politics’ role in running a business.
Vultured is an eye-opening self-help book for entrepreneurs that is filled with actionable advice and tips from someone that has been there. The author shares his lessons learned from running a small business with readers in hopes they can avoid the mistakes he made.
Pages: 148 | ASIN : B09QQMQW7T
LITERARY TITAN 