Black Fortunes
The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Escaped Slavery and Became Millionaires
By Shomari Wills | Publisher: HarperCollins
About the book
“By telling the little-known stories of six pioneering African American entrepreneurs, Black Fortunes makes a worthy contribution to black history, to business history, and to American history.”—Margot Lee Shetterly, New York Times Bestselling author of Hidden Figures
Between the years of 1830 and 1927, as the last generation of blacks born into slavery was reaching maturity, a small group of industrious, tenacious, and daring men and women broke new ground to attain the highest levels of financial success.
Mary Ellen Pleasant, used her Gold Rush wealth to further the cause of abolitionist John Brown. Robert Reed Church, became the largest landowner in Tennessee. Hannah Elias, the mistress of a New York City millionaire, used the land her lover gave her to build an empire in Harlem. Orphan and self-taught chemist Annie Turnbo-Malone, developed the first national brand of hair care products. Mississippi school teacher O. W. Gurley, developed a piece of Tulsa, Oklahoma, into a “town” for wealthy black professionals and craftsmen that would become known as “the Black Wall Street.” Although Madam C. J Walker was given the title of America’s first female black millionaire, she was not. She was the first, however, to flaunt and openly claim her wealth—a dangerous and revolutionary act.
Nearly all the unforgettable personalities in this amazing collection were often attacked, demonized, or swindled out of their wealth. Black Fortunes illuminates as never before the birth of the black business titan and a vital chapter of Black history.
This compelling work of narrative history reveals the hidden stories of America’s first Black millionaires:
- Gilded Age Titans: Meet the six trailblazers—including Mary Ellen Pleasant, who used her Gold Rush wealth to fund abolition, and Robert Reed Church, a former slave who became Tennessee’s largest landowner.
- Self-Made Millionaires: Discover the ingenuity of entrepreneurs like Annie Turnbo-Malone, who developed the first national brand of hair care products, and O. W. Gurley, the visionary behind Tulsa’s “Black Wall Street.”
- Hidden American History: Uncover the truth about Madam C. J. Walker, who wasn’t the first self-made Black female millionaire, and Hannah Elias, who used a lover’s gifts to build an empire in Harlem.
- Stories of Resilience: Learn how these unforgettable figures were often attacked and swindled out of their fortunes, yet persevered to become business titans against the backdrop of the Jim Crow era.
Editions of Black Fortunes
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780062437600
- EBook
- ISBN 9780062437549
Read an Excerpt
“By telling the little-known stories of six pioneering African American entrepreneurs, Black Fortunes makes a worthy contribution to black history, to business history, and to American history.”—Margot Lee Shetterly, New York Times Bestselling author of Hidden Figures
Between the years of 1830 and 1927, as the last generation of blacks born into slavery was reaching maturity, a small group of industrious, tenacious, and daring men and women broke new ground to attain the highest levels of financial success.
Mary Ellen Pleasant, used her Gold Rush wealth to further the cause of abolitionist John Brown. Robert Reed Church, became the largest landowner in Tennessee. Hannah Elias, the mistress of a New York City millionaire, used the land her lover gave her to build an empire in Harlem. Orphan and self-taught chemist Annie Turnbo-Malone, developed the first national brand of hair care products. Mississippi school teacher O. W. Gurley, developed a piece of Tulsa, Oklahoma, into a “town” for wealthy black professionals and craftsmen that would become known as “the Black Wall Street.” Although Madam C. J Walker was given the title of America’s first female black millionaire, she was not. She was the first, however, to flaunt and openly claim her wealth—a dangerous and revolutionary act.
Nearly all the unforgettable personalities in this amazing collection were often attacked, demonized, or swindled out of their wealth. Black Fortunes illuminates as never before the birth of the black business titan and a vital chapter of Black history.
This compelling work of narrative history reveals the hidden stories of America’s first Black millionaires:
- Gilded Age Titans: Meet the six trailblazers—including Mary Ellen Pleasant, who used her Gold Rush wealth to fund abolition, and Robert Reed Church, a former slave who became Tennessee’s largest landowner.
- Self-Made Millionaires: Discover the ingenuity of entrepreneurs like Annie Turnbo-Malone, who developed the first national brand of hair care products, and O. W. Gurley, the visionary behind Tulsa’s “Black Wall Street.”
- Hidden American History: Uncover the truth about Madam C. J. Walker, who wasn’t the first self-made Black female millionaire, and Hannah Elias, who used a lover’s gifts to build an empire in Harlem.
- Stories of Resilience: Learn how these unforgettable figures were often attacked and swindled out of their fortunes, yet persevered to become business titans against the backdrop of the Jim Crow era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Black Fortunes about?
“By telling the little-known stories of six pioneering African American entrepreneurs, Black Fortunes makes a worthy contribution to black history, to business history, and to American history.”—Margot Lee Shetterly, New York Times Bestselling author of Hidden Figures
Between the years of 1830 and 1927, as the last generation of blacks born into slavery was reaching maturity, a small group of industrious, tenacious, and daring men and women broke new ground to attain the highest levels of financial success.
Mary Ellen Pleasant, used her Gold Rush wealth to further the cause of abolitionist John Brown. Robert Reed Church, became the largest landowner in Tennessee. Hannah Elias, the mistress of a New York City millionaire, used the land her lover gave her to build an empire in Harlem. Orphan and self-taught chemist Annie Turnbo-Malone, developed the first national brand of hair care products. Mississippi school teacher O. W. Gurley, developed a piece of Tulsa, Oklahoma, into a “town” for wealthy black professionals and craftsmen that would become known as “the Black Wall Street.” Although Madam C. J Walker was given the title of America’s first female black millionaire, she was not. She was the first, however, to flaunt and openly claim her wealth—a dangerous and revolutionary act.
Nearly all the unforgettable personalities in this amazing collection were often attacked, demonized, or swindled out of their wealth. Black Fortunes illuminates as never before the birth of the black business titan and a vital chapter of Black history.
This compelling work of narrative history reveals the hidden stories of America’s first Black millionaires:
- Gilded Age Titans: Meet the six trailblazers—including Mary Ellen Pleasant, who used her Gold Rush wealth to fund abolition, and Robert Reed Church, a former slave who became Tennessee’s largest landowner.
- Self-Made Millionaires: Discover the ingenuity of entrepreneurs like Annie Turnbo-Malone, who developed the first national brand of hair care products, and O. W. Gurley, the visionary behind Tulsa’s “Black Wall Street.”
- Hidden American History: Uncover the truth about Madam C. J. Walker, who wasn’t the first self-made Black female millionaire, and Hannah Elias, who used a lover’s gifts to build an empire in Harlem.
- Stories of Resilience: Learn how these unforgettable figures were often attacked and swindled out of their fortunes, yet persevered to become business titans against the backdrop of the Jim Crow era.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Black Fortunes?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Social and cultural history
Where can I read a sample of Black Fortunes?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780062437600
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Black Fortunes?
Shomari Wills
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Black Fortunes is available as paperback(ISBN 9780062437600) and ebook(ISBN 9780062437549)
Where can I buy Black Fortunes online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Black Fortunes from below
Where can I buy Black Fortunes?