Dr. Valecia Dunbar, Founder and CEO of the New LaVilla Entrepreneur Center has a clear plan for her vision to revive what was once one of Jacksonville, Florida’s most vibrant, thriving African American communities. Now she’s seeking others who share her passion to invest in its return. The vibrant African American neighborhood that flourished during the early 20th century, was once known as the “Harlem of the South.” And much like the famed Harlem in New York City, the streets were once lined with businesses owned by Black entrepreneurs, including restaurants, barbershops, and hotels, at the height of the racial segregation era. It was also a thriving cultural hub, where it was common to hear the sounds of jazz and blues emanating from the numerous theaters, clubs, and juke joints there, well-known for hosting some of the greatest musicians of the time, including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ray Charles.
Despite its cultural significance, LaVilla would eventually fall into decline in the mid-20th century. After being annexed by Jacksonville, economic decline set in, and urban renewal projects led to the destruction of much of its historic architecture, leaving many of its residents displaced. “They started tearing down all those beautiful buildings and incentivizing the relocation of businesses outside of the district so that they could run the highway through it,” recounts Dunbar, a researcher and subject matter expert in organizational crisis leadership.
She believes it can thrive once again with a $1.2 million revitalization effort she’s leading; the construction of the New LaVilla Entrepreneur Center now underway. The 6,300-square-foot building will offer mixed-use space that includes retail shops, meeting rooms, and residential units for visiting members. The center will also feature a museum component, showcasing images and stories from LaVilla’s rich history intertwined with Gullah Geechee culture and an event space for hosting business launches and community gatherings. “The New LaVilla is my contribution to bringing back our historic Wall Street districts,” explains Dunbar, known to many as Dr. V. “LaVilla was a safe haven for Black entrepreneurs, it fostered economic independence and helped build community in an era when Black people were locked out of other economic opportunities. I believe we can take back our economic influence and reclaim it.”
A Call for Community Investment
To bring this ambitious vision to life, Dunbar has partnered with crowdfunding platform Vesterr, touted as the nation’s first Black-owned and led crowdfunding platform for real estate investing, to help raise $1.2 million towards project design and construction costs. Designated as a historic landmark, the building requires extensive renovations to preserve its original character while meeting modern codes.
A Vision Rooted in History
Dunbar is particularly excited about the opportunity for community ownership and an opportunity for investors of all levels to take part in this historic rebirth that promises to breathe new life into this storied neighborhood. “This is about creating a community model where everyone owns a piece of it,” she says. “This project aims to reverse the effects of years of decline by restoring the area’s historic footprint, re-establishing it as a hub of Black entrepreneurship.” The minimum investment is $10,000 and investors will not only receive a financial return but also become founding members of the New LaVilla Entrepreneur Center with access to its facilities and events.
For Dunbar, the New LaVilla project is more than just a business venture; it’s a reclamation of history. “The New LaVilla is my contribution to bringing back our historic Wall Street districts,” she says.
A Safe Space for Entrepreneurs
Dunbar’s journey to this project began with her work as a business coach, focusing on empowering women through entrepreneurship. In 2016, she launched the Center for Confidence in Jacksonville, offering pro bono coaching labs to help women build self-belief and financial independence. As her client base grew, she realized the need for a dedicated space where women could collaborate and thrive. This led to the creation of CenCon CoWork, a collaborative workspace in Jacksonville. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced a reevaluation of her approach.
“The New LaVilla Entrepreneur Center is a broader iteration of that vision,” says Dunbar. The center will offer a range of resources, from coworking spaces to training programs, designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. Located on Broad Street, the heart of the historic LaVilla district, the center is poised to become a destination for entrepreneurs looking to launch, grow and scale their businesses in a supportive community.
Rebuilding LaVilla, One Brick at a Time
The significance of the New LaVilla project extends beyond its economic potential. “This is about rebuilding our historically Black commercial districts, one building at a time,” Dunbar emphasizes. The project is part of a broader citywide effort to revitalize LaVilla that includes the construction of heritage trails connecting neighborhoods to the city center, the development of affordable housing, and the restoration of key landmarks like the nearby Richmond Hotel. Dunbar proudly acknowledges that it was one of a few Black woman-owned enterprises, which once served as a hub for Black entrepreneurs and prominent entertainers.
A New Model for Wealth Building
Dunbar hopes the New LaVilla project will inspire others to rethink traditional approaches to wealth building. “Crowdfunding has opened up so many different avenues of wealth generation for us that traditional lending models never could,” she explains. “This is an opportunity for everyone to see themselves in a space that they never really thought about—being an investor or part of a development team on a major project.”
As the construction of the New LaVilla Entrepreneur Center presses forward, Dunbar’s goal is set: to rebuild LaVilla as a beacon of Black entrepreneurship and community resilience. “This is about stepping into the new ways of creating wealth and doing it ourselves,” she says. “And in doing so, we’re not just restoring a historic district—we’re helping to secure its future for generations to come.”
Dunbar is available to discuss the revitalization of the LaVilla effort on all media platforms. For more information, visit TheNewLaVilla.com
About the Founder
Valecia “Dr. V.” Brooks Dunbar is the CEO & Founder of Jacksonville, Florida-based The Center For Confidence. Serving as a motivational author, confidence coach, and executive leadership coach, Dr. V is on a mission to develop effective leaders into change-makers who propel positive change in the workplace and society. Her new venture, The New LaVilla extends her work to create economic equity and influence through entrepreneurship. As a certified Academic Life Coach and Organizational Leadership Coach, Dr. V helps people break through life’s challenges to achieve success in their personal and professional lives. The Center For Confidence cultivates high achievers and business performers around the globe.
