African American Entrepreneurs (Black Stars)

Product DescriptionAmerica, always revered as the land of opportunity, is rich in stories about ambitious, determined individuals who worked hard and built businesses of their own. Yet, few people know about the many African American entrepreneurs who helped shape the American dream. This collection brings their stories to life.In every century, succeeding in business has required courage, ideas, the willingness to take risks, and the desire to succeed. For an African American man or woman, building a business also meant struggling against prejudice and working even harder than many others. Those who succeed are not just good businessmen and -women, they are heroes and heroines.In this vivid, inspiring collection, you will meet more than thirty fascinating African American entrepreneurs, from the eighteenth century up to the present, who overcame the odds against them. You'll discover little-known facts about their families, and the exciting times in which they lived. Along the way, you'll witness the triumph of talent, ingenuity, and perseverance.Ranging from cattle ranching to magazine publishing and computers, these stories show you how: Marie-Thérèse Metoyer, born into slavery, started her own plantation. Pierre Toussaint, born a slave in Haiti, became rich as a hairdresser in New York. Granville T. Woods, an engineer, could not find work after the Civil War because he was black. So he started inventing. During his life, he registered more than sixty patents. Henry G. Parks, using an old Virginia sausage recipe, built a national food company. Alphonse "Buddy" Fletcher Jr., one of Wall Street's most successful stock traders, started his own firm before he was even thirty years old.This outstanding collection brings to light these and dozens of other exciting and surprising tales of entrepreneurs who lived their dreams.Meet the black stars who lived their dreams-from the early years to modern timesRichard Henry BoydJanet Harmon BraggPaul CuffeAlphonse "Buddy" Fletcher Jr.James FortenA. G. GastonBerry Gordy Jr.Earl G. GravesThomas L. JenningsJohn H. JohnsonQuincy JonesElizabeth KeckleyShelton Jackson "Spike" LeeWilliam LeidesdorffReginald F. Lewis"Free Frank" McWorterMarie-Thérèse MetoyerOscar MicheauxHenry G. ParksPhilip A. Payton Jr.David RugglesJake Simmons Jr.Ada "Bricktop" SmithCharles Clinton SpauldingPierre ToussaintDempsey J. TravisMadame C. J. WalkerMaggie Lena WalkerOmar WasowOprah WinfreyGranville T. WoodsFrom School Library JournalGrade 6 Up-Beginning with the 1700s, Haskins describes the accomplishments of African Americans who, against all odds, started successful businesses. Readers learn about Marie-Th r se Metoyer, who made enough money from planting and trapping to free various members of her family from slavery, and Elizabeth Keckley, who had a successful dressmaking business in the 1860s, becoming Mary Todd Lincoln's personal dressmaker. Accounts of contemporary entrepreneurs include Berry Gordy, Jr.; Oprah Winfrey; and Omar Wasow, a young cyperspace pioneer. Black-and-white photographs and reproductions, many dark with little contrast, illustrate the text. Throughout, sidebars provide historical background and difficult words are defined in the margins. Written in a clear, readable style, this title will enhance African-American history collections.Carol Jones Collins, Montclair Kimberley Academy, NJCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.From BooklistGr. 6^-12. In the first entry in the Black Stars series, a prolific author with several previous collective biographies to his credit profiles more than 30 African Americans who have left a mark in the business community. Haskins, who includes seven women on his roster, has chosen his subjects well, cutting across three centuries of American history to assemble a varied group--from freed slave Marie-Therese Metoyer, whose entrepreneurial skills helped her secure her children's freedom, to twentysomething
Author: Haskins, Jim

Publisher: Wiley

Binding: Hardcover

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0471145769

ISBN-13: 9780471145769