The only biographical dictionary on African-American business leaders, this volume provides biographies on 123 individuals. Covering significant Black business leaders from the early days in America to the present, it includes many individuals who do not appear in general African-American biographical collections, and provides extensive information that is not available in other sources. Each biographical profile provides comprehensive coverage of the individual, and includes comprehensive bibliographical information. The volume also includes appendices classifying the business leaders by place of birth, principal place of business, type of business, and women business leaders. An extensive general bibliographical essay provides information on works giving background information, and the volume concludes with a full subject index. This book surveys the accomplishments of 123 African Americans in the arena of business. Narrative profiles of 5-15 pages conclude with lengthy lists of references. Some of the biographical information for the profiles comes from primary sources, and the location of the individual's papers are given, when known. Provided here are African Americans who have achieved success in financial services; in retail and service industries; in publishing, advertising, and broadcasting; in manufacturing; in real estate and construction; and in agriculture. Although the majority of the subjects lived in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, African Americans have figured in the world of business throughout American history, such as James Forten, the colonial sailmaker. Personalities profiled include Booker T. Washington, Ebony publisher John H. Johnson, and arbitrager Reginald F. Lewis. Among the women are banker Maggie Lena Walker, manufacturer of beauty products Madame C. J. Walker, model Naomi Sims, and advertising executive Barbara Gardner Proctor. All of the entries are readable and interesting, such as the profile of William Alexander Leidesdorff, one of the early developers of San Francisco. Many of the people found here are not covered in standard biographical works. The biographies are listed in appendixes by place of birth, by place of business, and by type of business. There is a separate list of the nine women represented. Closing the volume is a 20-page bibliographic essay and a detailed index This unique reference source should find a place in all major academic and public library collections. .,."The biographies, written in comfortable, readable magazine feature article style, simultaneously affirm and undermine the myth that through grit and determination anyone can make it in the United States. Each biography opens with a capsule summary of its subject's significance and accomplishments. Supplementary materials include a roster of subjects by place of birth, another by principal place of business, yet another by type of business, a list of the nine women included, and a bibliographic essay surveying the literature of African American business. This provides useful biographical information."-Wilson Library Bulletin ?...The biographies, written in comfortable, readable magazine feature article style, simultaneously affirm and undermine the myth that through grit and determination anyone can make it in the United States. Each biography opens with a capsule summary of its subject's significance and accomplishments. Supplementary materials include a roster of subjects by place of birth, another by principal place of business, yet another by type of business, a list of the nine women included, and a bibliographic essay surveying the literature of African American business. This provides useful biographical information.?-Wilson Library Bulletin ?All of the entries are readable and interesting . . . and many of the people found here are not covered in standard biographical works. This unique reference should find a place in all major academic and public library collections.?-Reference Books Bulletin ?This book is fascinating reading. The essays are very well written and are grounded in good historical research in a wide range of primary and secondary sources. Each essay describes the individual's personality, background, motivations, and the development of his or her business interests and firms, often in considerable detail. The authors do an excellent job of providing context where necessary. Bibliographic notes after articles and a bibliographic essay provide invaluable leads to primary and secondary sources about the role of African-Americans in American business. I recommend this purchase as a useful and timely addition to reference collections.?-RQ ..."The biographies, written in comfortable, readable magazine feature article style, simultaneously affirm and undermine the myth that through grit and determination anyone can make it in the United States. Each biography opens with a capsule summary of its subject's significance and accomplishments. Supplementary materials