Day 23 : True Stories about African-Amerian Millionaire Trailblazers

     Keeping with the spirit of successful black in business, today's post will not focus on a fiction story but rather six true stories of Black entrepreneurs who made it to the mark of Millionaires in America.  Personally these stories are uplifting because they defy the odds and the impossible become a reality.  There needs to be more stories like this to share.  Shomari Willis'   Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Survived Slavery and Became Millionaires is definitely on the must read list for February for many reasons.  The most important one of all is that it speaks to everyone.  To read the stories of these six individuals is inspiring enough for anyone to feel empowered that they too can overcome any obstical to become a success. 

   Willis focus is primarily on the last germination of blacks born into slavery and dare to break the mould by attaining financial success that only generation before would have never dared to dream possible.   The author introduces readers to Mary Ellen Pleasant,  Robert Reed Church, Hannah Elias, Annie Turnbo-Malone, O.W. Gurley,  and Madam C.J. Walker.  All of them with unique stories and paths to financial success.  One of more intriguing stories was that of O.W. Gurley who  developed a "town" for wealthy black Professionals and craftsmen in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  History will record this as the "Black Wall Street".      

    This is by far one of the best, interesting and powerful collection of stories.  The writing is clear and straightforward without being dry and tedious.  It is interesting to note that besides the commonality of attaining wealth,  all these men adwomen were attacked, demonized, or swindled out of their wealth. Fame and fortune often have a huge price to pay, and these six figures found that out through the school of hard knocks.   

    One of the silver linings to the stories like those told in this book is that it demonstrates the path that was paved for others to follow.  Could we have ever had an Oprah Winfrey if Madam C.J. Walker had not been bold and ambitious to persue her dreams.   Could we have seen the likes of  Herman Cain, Godfather's Pizza fame if we had not had O.W. Gurley to provide the "space"  for other black businessmen and women to succeed in Tulsa?  The names of these six African-American trailblazers will not be forgotten by the readers.   which is why it is important to pass the book along to others so they learn and never forget these names as well.