| 1651 |
Ex-slave Anthony Johnson is believed to be the first
African American entrepreneur. According to various
historical accounts, he accumulated enough capital to
buy 250 acres of land on the Pungoteague River in Northhampton
County, Virginia. |
| 1736 |
Emmanuel and Mary Bernoon opened the first Oyster
and Ale House in Providence, Rhode Island. |
| 1783 |
Born a slave in New Orleans, James Derham became the
first African American to open a medical practice. |
| 1787 |
The Free African Society of Philadelphia was formed
as the first mutual-aid society to support economic-development
activity for the African American community. |
| 1810 |
The first African-owned insurance company, called
The Afro American Insurance Company, was started in
Philadelphia by James Porter, William Coleman, and Joseph
Randolph. |
| 1821 |
Thomas Jenning of New York City was the first African
American to be issued a patent. His invention improved
the dry- cleaning process for clothes. |
| 1838 |
David Ruggles published the first African American
newspaper in New York city, called the Mirror of Liberty.
|
| 1841 |
William A. Liedesdorff, the first African
American millionaire, arrived in California from the
Virgin Islands that year. In addition to his starting
several business ventures - running a steamboat; owning
a racehorse; and opening the first hotel in the city
- he was a member of the city council and helped to
open the first school.
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