The Urban: Issue #1

"The work must be done right, the first time, and that’s the Wright Way!” was often said by Reverend Dennis Willis (DW) Wright to his family of fourteen children and was repeated by his endearing wife, Ethel Adele Greene Wright. Whether plowing the fields or writing a heartfelt novel, preparing the “ground” or the “outline” before planting the seeds and ideas was vital. DW knew the ground was a sacred patch that needed to be plowed, and nutrients, fertilizer, and water to make the ground susceptible to growth and flourish the seed into a green, prosperous farmland.

 As a pastor, DW Wright used biblical scriptures to teach his children how to prepare for life the (W)right way. In the beginning, Genesis 2:7 says, “And the Lord God formed the man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” DW told his children that Jehovah, the Creator, didn’t use any old rocks and lumpy dirt. Jehovah gathered and addressed “the dust of the ground” to form His image into a man. This adage became the central core of Dennis Willis Wright's legacy: to do everything (W)right the first time.

Early Childhood

 Dennis Willis Wright was born on April 18, 1890, in Sylvester, Georgia, to Anna Walker Wright Kendrick and Reverend Willie Ian Wright. His stepfather, Kendrick, became part of his life when Dennis was ten years old although his father died much earlier. Despite only having a first-grade education, Dennis was self-educated and a quick learner. He was known for hard work and his early belief in Christ, which led him to begin preaching at a young age.

Dennis was the oldest child of four. The second oldest (and Dennis’s favorite sibling) Vicey, tragically died in a fire at the age of twelve. His other siblings included Anna Kendrick, his half sister Cora and cousin Cat’s mother, Virgil, who was known as a thief and a rogue. They were all very close all throughout their lives. He was very close to his siblings throughout their lives.

Courtship and Marriage

Dennis lived on the South County Line Road. He often passed the homestead of his future wife Ethel Green. He was mesmerized by Ethel’s beauty and found himself especially intrigued by her legs as she worked out in the fields. 

Despite disapproval from her father, Samuel Hasting Greene, due to Dennis being an illiterate, half-breed, poor colored man, Ethel, who was 18 at the time, wanted to be with Dennis. They married and consequently had two illegitimate sons named Willie and Walter. Both children remained with their grandparents. 

Dennis and Ethel experienced over 40 years of true love. “Fella” was given a love nickname for Dennis from his precious wife, Ethel. 

Ethel often referred to him as “fella” for a love nickname. Dennis and Ethel went on to have seven more sons before having their first daughter. Their names were Aldee, Eugene, Rufus, Wilbur, Earlis, Samuel, Ulysses, Arthur, and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was followed by three more daughters, Henrietta (Pat), Grace, and Deloris, and two more sons, Joseph and Joel. They also adopted Dennis’ third bloodline nephew, Zake. 

 All the children had individual tasks to complete at the farm after the planting, chopping, and harvesting farm work. Poppa DW, made sure of that!

 Supporting His Children

 DW’s sons Eugene, Rufus, Wilber and Joseph formed a group called the Wright Brothers Gospel Singers with DW as their manager. As a pastor of the Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church, this was a great way to introduce gospel music to a wider audience while also supporting his sons. They were the first Blacks to sing at a white church in segregated Tifton, Georgia and the first black gospel singers on the Florida radio. 

DW supported his daughters by continuously preaching the word and encouraging them to use the gifts the God gave them. He was adamant about his daughters not working as maids for white people so he urged them to find work within companies or strive for entrepreneurship instead. 

Elizabeth became an excellent seamstress as well as the secretary of the largest black congregation in Albany during that time; Henrietta was a baker who made delicious cakes at a major department restaurant; Grace was a popular hair stylist who could hot comb, curl, and slick down any woman’s hair to perfection; an lastly, Deloris became a licensed nutritionist in an urban hospital.

 Entrepreneurial Spirit

 Despite the challenges posed by his father-in-law, Poppa was a hardworking, strategic thinker who wanted to work for himself. With faith and intellect, he became a prosperous owner of a beautiful farm in Ty Ty, complete with animals, produce, and products. He had previously worked on the railway laying rails and later rented various farms until he was able to purchase his 100-acre farm from the government as a homestead.

Eventually, DW Wright owned over 500 acres of land at the farm and purchased many more land plots throughout Tift County. DW was able to produce grade-A cotton and tobacco but also strived to help local black farmers get better products. He brought in agricultural specialists to educate the black farmers on new technology and techniques such as fertilization, crop rotation, and insect prevention, allowing for increased productivity. Working with the community was an essential core value for DW.

Planting and harvesting were important parts of the farming business. However, keeping the large tractors, harrows, combine harvesters, and other farming equipment in good shape was crucial. DW was sure he and the boys had an excellent knowledge of mechanics to keep the equipment running well. He also kept meticulous business records while his wife Ethel managed the books for income and tax purposes. They kept every receipt for proof they paid for every item from the white business owner.

 Dennis Willis Wright was a talented man with many interests. He was a ferocious reader of the Holy Bible, often staying up to date on many Christian topics. He also read the Almanac to stay apprised on any climate information for planting season and read a lot of his favorite playwright, William Shakespeare. 

 Society Group

Dennis Willis Wright was a “paid-up” Freemason of the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge in Alapaha GA during his heyday. The center of the symbol is the letter G which is meant to remind Freemasons that all our lives and actions are performed in the presence of God, The Grand Architect. DW Wright is associated with the largest fraternal organization in Georgia, which boasts a history spanning over 150 years. This organization is committed to benevolence, intellectual growth, and mutual respect. Its mission is to bring together men of diverse races, beliefs, and backgrounds into a cohesive and productive community, emphasizing moral values and the principles of Brotherly Love, Faith, and Charity.

 Legacy

 Reverend Dennis Willis Wright departed this world on February 12, 1982, and left a legacy of faith, hard work, and doing things the (W)right way. His teachings and life principles continue to inspire his descendants and community, emphasizing the importance of preparation, dedication, and righteousness in all endeavors.

-written by his granddaughter, Grace Lee DeShazer

The economic challenges facing Black communities today are deeply rooted in a history of systemic oppression and exclusion. Yet, despite these barriers, the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit within our communities continue to shine. Now, more than ever, we must harness our collective power to reclaim the economic future that has been denied to us for centuries.

Continued Inequality

The wealth gap between Black and white families is staggering. As of 2019, the median wealth for Black households was $24,100, compared to $188,200 for white households, meaning white families hold 8 times more wealth than Black families. Homeownership rates further reflect these disparities: in 2022, only 44.9% of Black Americans owned homes, compared to 74.6% of white Americans. Homes in Black neighborhoods are undervalued by an average of 23%, costing Black communities $156 billion in lost wealth.

These disparities are not a result of individual failure but rather a legacy of policies like redlining, employment discrimination, and the destruction of Black economic hubs like Tulsa’s Black Wall Street. For generations, Black communities have been denied the opportunity to build wealth. Yet, our story is not just one of loss—it is also one of resilience and resistance.

Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment

The entrepreneurial spirit in Black communities has long been a beacon of hope and progress. Today, there are over 3.12 million Black-owned businesses, but systemic barriers still limit their growth. Only 1.3% of venture capital funding went to Black founders in 2022, and the average Black-owned business earns just $24,000 annually compared to $218,000 for white-owned businesses.

However, Black entrepreneurs continue to build despite these challenges, and community-driven initiatives to fund and support Black businesses are on the rise. Every Black-owned business represents a pathway to economic empowerment for the community, keeping wealth circulating and creating jobs.

Economic Justice is Racial Justice

The fight for economic justice is inextricably linked to the fight for racial justice. Black families earn 61% of what white families earn, with the median household income for Black families at $48,297 in 2021, compared to $77,999 for white families. Even among Black college graduates, income disparities persist, with Black workers earning 20% less than white workers with the same degree level.

COVID-19 exposed the fragility of Black workers and businesses. During the pandemic, Black unemployment peaked at 16.8%, while 41% of Black-owned businesses were forced to close in the early months, compared to 17% of white-owned businesses.

Building Our Future

The challenges we face are immense, but we are far from powerless. By investing in our communities, supporting Black-owned businesses, and demanding policies that close the racial wealth gap, we are reclaiming what has been stolen. Each dollar spent at a Black-owned business, each policy victory, and each act of resistance helps us build a future of economic justice and empowerment.

The time for action is now. Together, we will create a future where Black communities not only survive but thrive, empowered by collective action and unwavering resilience.

Gentrification, the process by which urban neighborhoods are transformed by an influx of wealthier residents, has become a growing issue in many cities across the United States. For Black communities, this transformation often results in displacement, as rising property values and the cost of living force long-time residents out of their homes and neighborhoods. The effects of gentrification are threatening both the culture and the economic well-being of these communities.

Historically, Black neighborhoods have been underfunded and underserved due to redlining and discriminatory housing policies, which relegated Black residents to specific areas, often those with less infrastructure and fewer resources. Now, as cities look to redevelop and "revitalize" these areas, there is an irony in the sudden interest in spaces that were long neglected. With development comes investment, but it is often at the expense of the people who have made these neighborhoods their homes for generations.

The displacement caused by gentrification not only uproots families but also dismantles entire communities. Black-owned businesses, cultural centers, and community spaces often struggle to survive as rents rise and their customer bases are pushed out. This leads to the erasure of Black culture in areas that were once strongholds of community life. Cities like Brooklyn, Oakland, L.A., and Washington D.C. have seen significant demographic shifts due to gentrification, with wealthier, often white, residents moving in, while Black residents are priced out.

Here in LA, culturally significant neighborhoods have been especially impacted. As new developments like the Crenshaw/LAX light rail line and the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood draw wealthier residents and investors, property values are rising sharply. Long-time residents are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the rising costs of rent, property taxes, and living expenses. Over the past few decades, the Black population in Compton has significantly decreased. In 1980, Compton was nearly 70% Black, but by 2020, Black residents made up less than 30% of the population. In some cases, families who have lived in these areas for generations are forced to relocate to more affordable, but often more isolated, neighborhoods, far removed from their social networks and support systems.

Furthermore, gentrification exacerbates economic inequalities. As wealthier newcomers move into historically Black neighborhoods, the cost of housing skyrockets, making it nearly impossible for long-time residents to afford to stay. This creates a cycle where marginalized communities are pushed further into the margins, often into areas with fewer resources, opportunities, and protections.

In addressing gentrification, it is essential to develop housing policies that protect vulnerable populations, ensure affordable housing, and support the preservation of cultural landmarks and Black-owned businesses. Without intentional action, the displacement of Black communities will continue, further widening the racial wealth gap and perpetuating the systemic inequalities that have plagued American cities for decades.

The Wright Race- Philadelphia Coming April 2025!

• State of Public Education

• HBCU Sports Updates

• Book of the Month

• Artist of the Month

• Community Highlights

Dennis Wright Agriculture & Technology is a federally recognized 501(C)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible. You can make an online donation here. Checks can be made payable to Dennis Wright Agriculture & Technology contact us at [email protected] for mailing address.