The intersection of East 105th Street & Euclid Avenue was more than just a connection of crossing streets. It was the center of a community made up of flourishing Black businesses.
Winston Willis gambled his way to earn enough money to purchase a block on the famous intersection – but what he didn’t do was gamble with Black people’s livelihoods.
The goal was simple: “Put Black people in charge of what urban redevelopment looked like.” Willis planted the seed of Black entrepreneurship on that block, and it would blossom to over 28 flourishing Black businesses and over 400 Black people being employed.
Nicknamed “Inner-City Disneyland,” the strip had everything you could ask for: entertainment, food, financial services, and safety. While the strip didn’t outlast its battle against racism, its legacy still lives on and can be a blueprint for how we can evolve our communities.
Our people were able to turn 105th & Euclid Ave into an area full of joy, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. We have the power to further unite within our communities and build them up as happy places, more than any amusement park ever could.