Curated OER
Free Black Entrepreneur
Students research using the Internet, study books, reference sources, newspapers, and magazines for information about successful black business people and write a research paper. They may also interview entrepreneurs in their community...
Curated OER
Use of John Johnson's Life Story in Conjunction With Other Black Entrepreneurs as Role Models for Potential Black Businessmen
Students read an autobiography of John Johnson and discuss how he rose from poverty to be a successful businessman. After reading excerpts of other autobiographies, they brainstorm a list of characteristics of those who were successful...
Crafting Freedom
George Moses Horton: Slavery from a Poet's Perspective
Pupils have the unique opportunity to learn about the institution of slavery by reading first-hand experiences as described by George Moses Horton, the first slave to publish anti-slavery poetry.
Crafting Freedom
George Moses Horton: Crafting Virtual Freedom Through Poetry
What is "virtual freedom"? How about "enslaved entrepreneurship"? Class members will learn about these terms and much more as they read the poems and examine the life of George Moses Horton.
Curated OER
From Slave to Entrepreneur: The Life and Times of William Ellison
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this South Carolina history lesson, 8th graders examine sources that require them to examine the life of William Ellison, a black slave owner.
Curated OER
Entrepreneurs and the African-American Dream
Students make a simple graph of labor supply and labor demand in the North and South in the early twentieth century. They conduct research to identify top contemporary African-American entrepreneurs.
Crafting Freedom
George Moses Horton: Slavery from a Poet's Perspective
After reading about the life of George Moses Horton, the first slave to publish anti-slavery poetry, learners will recall his major accomplishments, provide a summary of the obstacles he faced, and identify common aspects of the...
Curated OER
An Academic, Economic, Cultural, and Political Lesson Plan
Students reflect on how many board games they've played have African Americans, their culture or history incorporated within. They identify four street games and three card games that appeal to African Americans. They play the...
Curated OER
Building New York
Eleventh graders examine the role African Americans played in the expansion of New York. In this American History instructional activity, 11th graders compare and contrast the images of a wealthy, free black against a black who was...
Curated OER
Competition and Market Structure
Students participate in a simulation in which some are buyers and some are sellers in a trading activity. They set their own prices and record transactions. Then they calculate who made the biggest profit. They discuss the results.
PBS
African-Americans in the American West
Secondary learners explore the westward movement of African Americans. Segmented into four time periods, the lesson provides an overview of how African Americans experienced westward expansion. Learners view PBS specials on the...
Curated OER
The Color of Money
Students explore the success of members of racial and ethnic minorities in the business world through discussing a related New York Times article. They interview successful people in various professions who would be considered minority.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Entrepreneurs, Making of African American Identity: V. 1
Six mid-nineteenth century accounts by free-born black entrepreneurs about their economic activities and struggles. Links to documents describing each trade are provided within this well-developed resource.
Black Past
Black Past: Wormley, James
This encyclopedia entry tells about James Wormley, a black businessman in Washington, D.C.
Other
Washington and Lee University: Black History Month: Maggie Lena Walker
Maggie L. Walker was the first female bank president of the United States. Learn about the life and work of this African American teacher and entrepreneur. This brief biography includes accompanying audio [1:49], as well as a...
Other
Business Week: Maggie Walker: A Rich Legacy for the Black Woman Entrepreneur
Learn about this famous African American entrepreneur and how she rose to success in the world of banking.
Black Past
Black Past: Garvey, Marcus
In this encyclopedia entry you can read about Marcus Garvey, newspaper entrepreneur and advocate of black pride and separatism.
Black Past
Black Past: Whipper, William
A brief encyclopedia article about William Whipper, businessman and abolitionist.
Black Past
Black Past: Magggie Lena Walker
With this brief biography, learn about the life and career of Maggie L. Walker, the first African American bank president. Topics also includes Walker's activism, philanthropy and family history.
Black Past
Black Past: Walker, Madam c.j.
In this encyclopedia entry, you read about Madam C.J. Walker, once known as Sarah Breedlove, who made a fortune in hair products for African Americans.
Other
Maryland Public Schools: Maggie L. Walker History Lesson Plan [Pdf]
With this lesson plan, students will learn about the life of African American teacher and entrepreneur Maggie L. Walker, the woman to own a bank in the United States. This document includes teacher resources, student resources and...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Maggie L. Walker
Maggie Lena Walker was an entrepreneur and the first female bank president in the United States. Find out about the personal life and many impressive career firsts of this African American teacher and businesswoman.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Lloyd Price
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Lloyd Price, an American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. Price made his mark in rock music history with his exuberant tenor and his flair for recasting rhythm and blues as...
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Sarah Breedlove Walker
An illiterate, impoverished daughter of freed slaves built the largest black-owned business in America, made a fortune, and touched thousands with her philanthropy.