Learn how entrepreneurs and institutions built livelihoods, opportunities and communities.
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Loading image…1945–2013
James La Rue Avery (November 27, 1945 – December 31, 2013) was an American actor. He was best known for his roles as Philip Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Judge Michael Conover on L.A. Law, Steve Yeager in The Brady Bunch Movie, and Dr. Crippen on…
Loading image…Biography
James Pierson Beckwourth (April 26, 1798/1800 – October 20, 1866) was an American fur trapper, rancher, businessman, explorer, author and scout. Known as "Bloody Arm" because of his skill as a fighter, Beckwourth was of multiracial descent, being born into…
Loading image…1864–1931
James Heyward Blackwell (February 5, 1864 – October 14, 1931) was an American educator and businessman. He was one of the first African Americans to serve as a principal in Virginia, founded several financial services companies for African Americans, and…
Dates not recorded
James Boisclair was an African American merchant and gold miner who achieved notable fame and success during the Georgia Gold Rush. Boisclair was known as "Free Jim" and was highly regarded at the time for his entrepreneurial work and part-time efforts as…
1923–1999
James Charles Dodd Sr., (1923–1999), was an American modernist architect and businessperson. He was the first licensed African American architect in the city of Sacramento, California. His architectural firm was James C. Dodd and Associates.
1864–1927
James Coody Johnson (1864 – February 1927) was an African-Creek entrepreneur, interpreter, lawyer and politician. He was a leading advocate for African-American rights and dual citizen of the Creek and Seminole nations.
Loading image…1928–1999
James Simpson Jr (1928–1999) was the first African American to win a city commission election in the history of Covington, Kentucky. Simpson was one of nearly 30 people who filed to run for the City Commission in 1971. He finished third, winning one of…
1912–1997
James Edward Stewart Sr. was an American civil rights leader and business executive who was active in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a civil rights leader with ties to wealthy white businessmen in Oklahoma City, Stewart was a key figure in helping to end…
Loading image…1874–1930
James Ephraim McGirt (1874–1930) was an African American poet, publisher, editor, and businessman. He was from North Carolina and published his poetry, as well as his own magazine.
1984–
James Edward Fauntleroy II (born May 16, 1984) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and community builder from Inglewood, California. He is known for his extensive songwriting and vocal work for artists including Bruno Mars, Justin…
Loading image…1928–2005
James Forman (October 4, 1928 – January 10, 2005) was a prominent African-American leader in the civil rights movement. He was active in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Black Panther Party, and the League of Revolutionary Black…
1766–1842
Forten built a successful Philadelphia business and used his wealth and writing to advance abolition and Black civil rights.
Loading image…1944–2020
James G. Spady (April 2, 1944 – February 17, 2020) was an American Book Award-winning writer, historian, and journalist. Over his fifty-year career, Spady authored and edited numerous books, worked in radio, television, and film, wrote hundreds of…
1877–1949
James Garneth Carter (December 15, 1877 – March 9, 1949) was an African American U.S. diplomatic official, merchant, and business manager. Among his diplomatic posts, he served as American consul in Tamatave (now Toamasina), Madagascar and Calais and…
1859–1924
James Edwards Hamlin (1859 – October 19, 1924) was an American military officer, businessman, and politician. Born in Virginia, he attended Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. He worked some menial jobs before becoming a postal clerk, and…
Loading image…1968–
James Hannaham (born 1968) is a writer, performer, and visual artist. His novel Delicious Foods (2015), which deals with human trafficking, won the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award and was named one of Publishers Weekly's top ten…
Loading image…1948–
James Irvin Gadsden (born March 12, 1948) is an American former diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to Iceland. Gadsden graduated from Harvard University (1970, cum laude) with a B.A. in Economics, MA in East Asian Studies, from Stanford University…
Biography
James L. Jamison (died July 2, 1873) was a farmer, teacher, businessman, and state legislator in South Carolina. Jamison sat in the South Carolina Senate representing Orangeburg during the Reconstruction era. He was a Republican elected to terms in 1870…
Biography
James Lassiter is an American film producer and talent agent. He served as the manager of American rapper and actor Will Smith before the two co-founded the production company Overbrook Entertainment in 1998. Also Smith's business partner, Lassiter has…
Loading image…1815–1871
James Milo Alexander (February 7, 1815 – May 27, 1871) was an African-American businessperson and politician in Phillips County, Arkansas. Alexander was a successful businessperson and the first African-American justice of the peace in Arkansas. Born into…
Loading image…1865–1964
James Munroe Canty (December 23, 1865 – February 16, 1964) was an American educator, school administrator, and businessperson. Canty was an acting principal of the West Virginia Colored Institute (present-day West Virginia State University) in 1898 and is…
Loading image…1823–1912
James Merilus Simms (December 27, 1823 – July 9, 1912) was a minister, newspaper publisher, author, and elected representative in the Georgia Assembly during the Reconstruction era. He was African American. Simms was born a slave in Savannah, Georgia.
Loading image…1859–1909
James McHenry Jones (August 28, 1859 – September 22, 1909) was an American educator, school administrator, businessperson, and minister. Jones was the third principal of the West Virginia Colored Institute (present-day West Virginia State University) from…
1945–2012
James Ruffin McKinley (February 25, 1945 – July 6, 2012) was an American football player, coach, and businessman. He coached football teams at several historically black colleges and universities, was a defensive coach for the Oklahoma Outlaws of the…
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