When people think of Miami, they often picture beaches, palm trees, and flashy nightlife. But hidden just northwest of downtown is a neighborhood with a rich and powerful history— Overtown , once known as “The Harlem of the South.” πΆ A Place Full of Life and Music Back in the early 1900s, Overtown was one of the few places in Miami where Black people were allowed to live due to segregation laws. Even though life was tough, the community built something amazing. Overtown became a center for Black culture, business, and music. Famous musicians like Ella Fitzgerald , Louis Armstrong , Sam Cooke , and Aretha Franklin performed in Overtown after their shows in Miami Beach, where they weren’t allowed to stay because of segregation. The Lyric Theater was the heart of the neighborhood’s music scene, and the streets were alive with jazz, soul, and celebration . π️ A Thriving Community Overtown wasn’t just about music. It had schools, churches, restaurants, and shops owned by Black residents...
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office took legal action against Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation , accusing them of modern-day redlining in Birmingham, Alabama . This means the company may have ignored and avoided Black neighborhoods when offering mortgage loans—and that’s a serious problem. π΅️ What Did the DOJ Find? The lawsuit says Fairway didn’t treat everyone equally. Here’s what they’re being accused of: No loan officers placed in Black neighborhoods No marketing in majority-Black areas Low loan numbers for Black homebuyers—even though other lenders did better Branch locations that skipped entire ZIP codes with mostly Black residents Basically, Fairway’s business choices made it harder for Black families to get home loans , even when they were qualified. π£️ A Word from the DOJ “Fairway’s practices effectively shut the door of homeownership on communities of color in Birmingham.” – U.S. Attorney Prim F. Esca...