Black Wall Street Tour
We facilitate college and career readiness by bringing young business owners from various industries to engage students through mentorship.
Black Wall Street Tour
"The goal of the Black Wall Street Tour is to facilitate college and career readiness by exposing young people to the skills necessary to excel beyond the classroom."
As early as the late 1800’s, there were small pockets of self-sufficient communities known as Black Wall Street. Named after America’s famed financial district, these areas had thriving economies that were founded and funded by the very people they served. Today, little remains of these communities beyond their resounding inspiration and quiet history. The possibilities were endless for this group that united around a common goal. This same notion that seeded these historic towns inspired the Black Wall Street Tour.
Studies show that culturally relevant pedagogy increases student achievement and cognition. An individual’s goals and future are refocused when one can see himself reflected in the framework of success. We reveal this framework by bringing young business owners from various industries to engage students through training and mentorship. Although the pathways to purpose and sustainability may vary, the principles that pave it are the same. Integrity, determination, vision, leadership, teamwork, and communication lay the foundation for every career.
The goal of the Black Wall Street Tour is to facilitate college and career readiness by exposing young people to the skills necessary to excel beyond the classroom. Each entrepreneur has a vested interest in the success of the coming generation. This commitment bridges the gap between the ambassadors of today and the leaders of tomorrow.
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Our Impact
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What Our Programs Teach
Mentorship
It is vital that our scholars learn the importance of mentorship and how it provides personal and professional support to facilitate a higher chance for success.
Community Growth
Our scholars are taught to work together, using their specific skills to make the community a better place for everyone.
Entrepreneurship
Through our entrepreneurial experts we are committed to teaching students proven methodologies to becoming problem-solvers, creative thinkers and wealth creators.
Our History
We teach students the importance of learning the contributions that African Americans have made to positively impact our society. Uncovering the history of Black Wall Street.
Skillset & Mindset
Although empowering students with information, skill development is our most important focus. Our mission is to arm our scholars with an ability that extends beyond the classroom.
Leadership
Helping our scholars solve problems creatively and work collaboratively with others will be our gateway to teaching students the importance of leadership.
Meet Our Founder
David Shands is an inspiration to anyone with an idea to create what doesn’t yet exist. From employee to employer, David worked in the hospitality industry for almost a decade, all while building his own apparel business. He coined the phrase “Sleepis4Suckers” starting out with a backpack full of wristbands and a compelling story, which later evolved into not only a profitable clothing line, but a way of life.
David struggled all throughout High School until he found a very wealthy mentor who was able to tie his wealth back to all the lessons he learned in grade school. His mentor showed him how paying attention in English class would teach him how to communicate effectively to other successful people. He should him how important math class was to his financial success independence. All the things David wanted to hear. David now passes that information along, motivating and inspiring the youth all across the country.
David attributes big part of his success in business to the six years he spent working at The Cheesecake Factory in Atlanta, GA. He said, “The moment I started to treat my job with the same respect as I had for my own ambitions, my life changed.” David has been teaching employees all across the country to “get more from your job than a paycheck.” which is just what he did by working diligently on his job.
David explains how his job gave him an opportunity to learn sales, leadership, collaboration, time management, financial literacy and patience just by being appreciative and grateful for his job.
“If you have the dream to be a business owner, you have to first learn how to take care of someone else’s business. People can’t believe it when I tell them that any job you work can teach you how to make your first million dollars if you approach it as such.”
Meet Our Founder
David Shands is an inspiration to anyone with an idea to create what doesn’t yet exist. From employee to employer, David worked in the hospitality industry for almost a decade, all while building his own apparel business. He coined the phrase “Sleepis4Suckers” starting out with a backpack full of wristbands and a compelling story, which later evolved into not only a profitable clothing line, but a way of life.
David struggled all throughout High School until he found a very wealthy mentor who was able to tie his wealth back to all the lessons he learned in grade school. His mentor showed him how paying attention in English class would teach him how to communicate effectively to other successful people. He should him how important math class was to his financial success independence. All the things David wanted to hear. David now passes that information along, motivating and inspiring the youth all across the country.
David attributes big part of his success in business to the six years he spent working at The Cheesecake Factory in Atlanta, GA. He said, “The moment I started to treat my job with the same respect as I had for my own ambitions, my life changed.” David has been teaching employees all across the country to “get more from your job than a paycheck.” which is just what he did by working diligently on his job.
David explains how his job gave him an opportunity to learn sales, leadership, collaboration, time management, financial literacy and patience just by being appreciative and grateful for his job.
“If you have the dream to be a business owner, you have to first learn how to take care of someone else’s business. People can’t believe it when I tell them that any job you work can teach you how to make your first million dollars if you approach it as such.”
Testimonials
He definitely leaves his mark on his audiences and provokes them to pursue a greater purpose. He has a message that everyone needs to hear!”
Kimberly David
APS Support Services
The Black Wall Street Tour is a phenomenal hands-on experience where students learn from industry professionals how to prepare for their future by creating a plan. David’s Shands and the panel engage the students by asking them thought-provoking questions, and encouraging them to think outside of the box! You don’t want to miss this presentation! It is life changing.
Mrs. Shani Hall
Post-Secondary Transition Specialist