With February being Black History Month, the university hosted many events in recognition and support of what the event represents for students on campus. On Feb 15. from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the White Ballroom, the Student Government Association (SGA) hosted Black Wall Street, an event where black owned businesses brought their products to the student body.

Tables lined the ballroom, with various shops selling goods. Everything from graduation caps, clothing and desserts. Vendors sold their goods to guests and offered insight into each of their experiences.

Dr. Bernadette Pruitt, a professor in racial, ethnicity, and recent American history, hosted a table discussing the story of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pruitt offered a discussion, laying out a timeline of the event.
The name “Black Wall Street,” came from Tulsa, where a rich neighborhood was destroyed due to the violence of the 1921 Tulsa Massacre, according to the New York Times.

Faith Adjei-Sarpong, the Director of Public Relations for the Student Government Association at Sam Houston State University was one of the main driving forces behind this event being put together.

Her goal with Black Wall Street was highlighting Black businesses not just on campus, but outside of it. From within Texas, vendors came from Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Some vendors came from other states, including New Jersey and Oklahoma.

“I want them to remember all the hard work and ethic behind all these businesses,” Adjei-Sarpong said. “I wanted these vendors not only to share their business, but to share their story.”

Black Wall Street has become a staple event hosted by SGA to highlight the many black-owned shops on campus and to demonstrate the importance of shopping and supporting them.