Learn how entrepreneurs and institutions built livelihoods, opportunities and communities.
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Loading image…1823–1893
Shadd Cary founded The Provincial Freeman in Canada West, becoming the first Black woman newspaper publisher in North America. She championed education, self-reliance and abolition.
Dates not recorded
Mary Ann Whipple-Lue is the former mayor of Gordon, Georgia. Taking office in 2014, she served as the first Black and Female for one term as mayor, until 2017. Her tenure as the city's first black mayor was plagued with controversy. Allegedly, "She…
1920–1992
Mary Zoner Hurston Barksdale Lawes (November 24, 1920 - October 9, 1992 ) was a prominent African-American nurse and businesswoman. She was the owner and administrator, for twenty-seven years, of the Hurstdale Rest Home, the only black-owned rest home in…
Loading image…1878–1955
Mary Cordelia Montgomery Booze (née Mary Cordelia Montgomery; March 1878 – May 17, 1955) was an American political organizer, teacher, businessperson, and activist. The daughter of former slaves, she was one of the first African-American women to sit on…
Loading image…Born 1865
Mary Elizabeth Cary Burrell (August 1865 – ) was an American educator and businessperson. She is known for being a school teacher and for working for causes like women's suffrage.
1846–1923
Mary Eleanora McCoy (née Delaney; January 26, 1846 – November 17, 1923) was an American philanthropist, organizer, and clubwoman. She is known for organizing the Michigan State Association of Colored Women, a chapter of the National Association of Colored…
Loading image…Biography
Mary Ellen Pleasant (August 19, 1814 – January 11, 1904) was an American entrepreneur, financier, real estate magnate and abolitionist. She was arguably the first self-made millionaire of African-American heritage, preceding Madam C. J. Walker by decades.…
1900–1966
Mary Francis Hill Coley (August 15, 1900 – March 8, 1966) was an American lay midwife who ran a successful business providing a range of birth services and who starred in a critically acclaimed documentary film used to train midwives and doctors. Her…
1830–1914
Mary H. Dickerson (October 22, 1830 - July 1, 1914) was an African American businesswoman and clubwoman. Dickerson founded several women's groups in the New England area and in Newport, Rhode Island. Her dress shop catered to prominent clients in Newport…
Loading image…1971–
Mary Jane Blige ( BLYZHE; born January 11, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur. Often referred to by the honorifics "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" and "Queen of R&B", her accolades include nine Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award,…
1901–1995
Mary L. Bell (1901–1995) was the first African-American to own and operate a radio station in the city of Detroit, Michigan, as president and chairperson of Bell Broadcasting Corporation.
Dates not recorded
Mary Matilda (Tilly) Winslow was the first female Black Canadian to attend, starting in 1901, and graduate from the University of New Brunswick. She graduated with a BA in Classics in 1905, ranking at the top of her class. She was born in Woodstock, New…
Loading image…Biography
Mary Mildred Williams (born Botts, c. 1847 – 1921) was born into slavery in Virginia and became widely known as an example of a "white slave" in the years before the Civil War. In 1855, her escaped father bought his family's freedom with financial aid from…
Biography
Mary Perth (c. 1740–1813+) was an African American colonist and businesswoman in Sierra Leone. She was a Nova Scotian Settler.
Biography
Mary Simpson (c.1752-1758, in Virginia – March 18, 1836 in New York, New York) was an African-American woman who claimed to be a former slave of George Washington. She is credited with originating the tradition of celebrating Washington's Birthday in New…
Biography
Mary E. Thompson (died 1892) was one of the richest early African Americans in Seattle, Washington. She owned the Minnehaha Saloon, located at 319 Jackson street, which had a brothel upstairs. Thompson is reported to have died in Oakland, California.
Loading image…1970–
Percy Robert Miller (born April 29, 1970), better known by his stage name Master P, is an American rapper, actor, record executive, record producer and entrepreneur. He founded No Limit Records in 1991, which was relaunched into the spin-off labels New No…
Loading image…1952–
Mathew Knowles (born January 9, 1952) is an American record executive, businessman and university lecturer. He is best known for being the manager of Destiny's Child. He also once managed the solo careers of his daughters Beyoncé and Solange Knowles.
Loading image…1991–
Matthew James (born December 5, 1991) is an American television personality, businessman, and former NCAA football player. James is best known for being the first Black male lead for The Bachelor in season 25.
1840–1900
Matthew Gaines (August 4, 1840 – June 11, 1900) was a former slave, community leader, minister, and Republican Texas state senator during the Reconstruction era. As one of the first two African American state senators ever elected in Texas alongside George…
Loading image…1848–1935
Mathew McFarlan Lewey (December 1848 – August 12, 1935), was an American newspaper editor and publisher, postmaster, lawyer, politician, and justice of the peace in Florida. He also served as an officer in the Union Army, and as a militia officer. Lewey,…
Loading image…1879–1976
Rev. Matthew Simpson Davage (June 16, 1879 – September 20, 1976) also known as M. S. Davage, was an American educator, college and university president, businessperson, and minister. He served as president of George R. Smith College (from 1914 to 1916);…
Loading image…1876–1959
Maude Brockway (February 28, 1876 – October 24, 1959) was an American teacher, milliner, and activist. She was born in Arkansas in 1876 and moved to Indian Territory after completing her education at Arkansas Baptist College. Initially, she worked as a…
Loading image…1960–
Maurice Brian Foley (born March 28, 1960) is a senior judge of the United States Tax Court. Foley received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Swarthmore College, a Juris Doctor from UC Berkeley School of Law and a Master of Laws in taxation from Georgetown…
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