Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Survived Slavery and Became Millionaires

Very informative I learned things I wasn't taught in school. It took me to take African American Studies in college to read this book and learn my true history.

The media could not be loaded.  Wow! This book is a must read for African American history! This is technically an African American historical textbook that SHOULD be added to every African American studies scholars library! Must read! Must have! Blessed by this book!!!!!!

It breaks my heart to know there is so much about our black ancestors that we are not aware of. I'm 64 years old and pride myself on my reading abilities but this is the first time I've heard of some of the people in this book. When I saw the movie Rosewood years ago it broke my heart but I became interested in the lives of our people after slavery. I began to hear more verbal accounts of towns in the South where former slaves had banded together to form safe enclaves in order to raise families in peace and achieve some semblance of prosperity. Then I heard about Greenwood and all I could think about is how envy, jealousy and the ignorance of a group of people who would rather take and destroy a persons livelihood because they needed to be superior. Here we are 200 years later and we're still fighting to be recognized and acknowledged for the achievements we have made. It's not enough that we enriched white people economically by working as slaves and raising their children, serving as their concubines, while having our families torn apart, children and loved ones sold to the highest bidder. Here we are in 2021 still fighting for equality. We should have been taught these lessons in school. Maybe the pride that I feel inside knowing of the struggles out people have endured would enlighten more of our young and give them a reason to strive to do better. But if a person doesn't know his or her history how can they began to write their own story. Not everyone has the ability of even the knowledge to go searching for the truth. So we need writers and journalists like you to keep telling the stories. We need you to do what we can't, won't, or don't know how to do. We need you to keep researching and giving us the knowledge, so that I can pass it on to my children and they can get curious and their thirst for the truth may galvanize and motivate them to do better. My momma always told me when I was growing up when you know better you do better. I truly believe this. Thank you for enriching my life. I look forward to reading more from authors like yourself. God Bless !I

This is a very insightful read that shines brightly on what Intelligence, drive and hard work can Accomplish. We need this Spirit from the past to resurface in the present if We are ever going to be Economically Secure.

This book was really interesting & gave a lot of back story on the individuals. It tells where they started and how they made it to getting their fortunes. Really good stories.

Very informative and an easy read. Inspiring account of the successes of African American moguls in the 1800’s.

Inspirational and very powerful really dug deep in history and passed down wisdom Great book was definitely a good read

This book tells the stories of six entrepreneurs born into slavery and Jim Crow but became millionaires despite their black identity. Not only did they create great wealth for themselves, they pioneered industries and built cities during their lifetime.Here are my top five takeaways from the book:1. Creating wealth is not a special talent, it is a discipline, the discipline to save money - Cash they say is king. When opportunities knock (and they always do), be sure to bring plenty of it to the door. So, always have liquid cash in bank!2. Purpose precedes fortune – their mission in the business world was simple. To empower as many people of color as they can with the opportunities they’ve been given. So, discover THE WHY behind your pursuit of wealth!3. The family unit is where true wealth starts and sadly ends – they all either attained greater levels of financial success or lost it all largely because of the choice of their spouses. So, choose wisely!4. Crises are wealth in disguise – if they had any special talent that will be this, understanding - that crises are cyclic, they come and go, and leave wealth making opportunities behind. So, embrace your current crisis!5. If cash is king, succession is the key to the kingdom – while their legacy today is clear, unfortunately the wealth they created did not outlive any one of them. The fortitude and grit needed to create the wealth, became waned or too little to continue the fight needed to preserve it for the next generation. So, think generationally!

Very good book , more books like this is needed, the details were amazing it was like I was there.

Well researched and very informative information from start to finish.

Amazing read and extremely knowledgeable. Should be covered in schools

Good read. Was recommended

There are so many names lost on history and this book the perfect reference if you are into content creation.