American Business
Robert James Harlan: Ohio’s Political Powerhouse
Robert James Harlan (1816-1897) may have been born a slave but he lived most of his life free as a bird. And this Ohio bird could sing…and travel…and succeed. Born…
Read MoreAntoine Dubuclet, Jr.: The Creole Savior of Louisiana
As a Republican State Treasurer and one of America’s wealthiest Black businessmen, he played a vital role in rescuing debt-ridden Louisiana after the Civil War. He became one of America’s…
Read MoreRobert Gordon: The Coal Magnate of Cincinnati
“I must never leave my work until I have done my best.” That was the work ethic of Robert Gordon (1812-1884), a former slave and Cincinnati Black businessman who became…
Read MoreMary Ellen Pleasant: San Francisco’s “Golden” Girl
She was Black America’s first self-made millionaire. The most powerful woman in San Francisco’s Gold-Rush period. She was a “one-woman social agency” for emancipated Blacks. Her name was Mary Ellen…
Read MoreWilliam Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr.: California’s Black Millionaire Founding Father
His legacy is as long as his name. Known as the “African Founding Father of California” William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. (1810-1848) helped start San Francisco. He was America’s first Black…
Read MoreClara Brown: The Angel of the Rockies
“I always go where Jesus calls me.” And Clara Brown (1803? – 1885) did just that. Widely known as “Aunt Clara” or the “Angel of the Rockies,” Ms. Brown was…
Read MoreStephen Smith: America’s First Black Business Mogul
STEPHEN SMITH (1795-1873) was born into slavery. At the tender age of five he became the indentured servant for Thomas Boude, a Pennsylvanian businessman. Smith spent his youth working the…
Read MoreFree Frank McWhorter: “Kind, Benevolent, and Honest”
He was a former slave and a wealthy farmer who founded his own town. And he personally purchased the freedom of over a dozen family members. His name was Frank…
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