Recognize this picture? It’s an 1899 photo of the Board of Directors of the Coleman Manufacturing Company, of Concord, NC. According to the notes from the 1900 Paris Exposition where this photo was displayed, Coleman was the only black-owned cotton mill in the US. (Source: Library of Congress)

ASALH wants to shine the spotlight on this under-studied aspect of African American history with its 2010 Black History Month theme: the History of Black Economic Empowerment.  In particular, we are celebrating the centennial of the founding of the National Urban League. As the executive summary to our 2010 Black History Month kit explains, “For a century, they have struggled to open the doors of opportunity for successive generations, engaging the challenge of each age.”

As part of the celebration, we hope you will share your stories here about leaders in business and economic development who have helped expand economic opportunities for African Americans.