Celebrate Black History Month: Achieving Against the Odds

Long before the civil rights movement of the 20th century, Black Americans were breaking down barriers in business, journalism, education and activism. Though faced with immense discrimination and hardship, these pioneers achieved notable firsts and paved the way for future generations. By celebrating their diverse achievements, we honor the creativity, determination and vision of these early African American pioneers. Their stories deserve to be told and celebrated.

Joseph Randolph (1768-1825) and the African Insurance Company
A prominent businessman and community leader, Joseph Randolph demonstrates early Black excellence in pioneering finance and insurance. Born free in Virginia, Randolph later settled in Philadelphia and co-founded the Free African Society, a mutual aid organization for free Blacks.
Seeing a need for Black citizens to have control over their money, Randolph founded the African Insurance Company in 1810. This was the first insurance company founded by an African American, 47 years before the American Life Insurance Company became the first Black-owned insurance firm chartered in the South.
Randolph served as the President of the company, which provided fire and life insurance policies within Philadelphia's free Black community. His sons also became leaders in finance and civil rights, carrying on Randolph's legacy of entrepreneurship, innovation and community empowerment.
 
David Ruggles (1810-1849): Abolitionist, Entrepreneur and Publisher
A key figure in the Underground Railroad, David Ruggles was instrumental in the liberation of hundreds of enslaved persons. Born in Connecticut, Ruggles became actively involved in abolitionism and operated a small grocery store in New York City.
This store doubled as a hub for escaped slaves, whom Ruggles assisted with shelter, food, clothing and transport further north. Highly organized and meticulous, he kept detailed records of the nearly 600 individuals he helped to freedom. Ruggles also founded an employment agency and was the first Black bookstore owner when he opened his Mirror of Liberty bookstore.  
Alongside his abolitionism and businesses, Ruggles edited and published The Mirror of Liberty newspaper, one of the earliest Black-owned and operated newspapers. Suffering poor health and blindness in his forties, Ruggles retired from activism but left an important legacy in the antislavery movement and African American entrepreneurship.
 
Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823-1893): Activist and First Black Woman Publisher
Born to abolitionist parents, Mary Ann Shadd Cary stands out as a pioneering activist, teacher, lawyer and journalist. After teaching in her home state of Delaware, where education for free Blacks was restricted, Cary moved to Canada and began a teaching career there. She quickly became an advocate for civil rights and suffrage, writing and speaking on abolitionism and racial inequality.
Cary founded The Provincial Freeman newspaper in 1853, becoming the first Black woman publisher in North America. The newspaper provided an important platform to voice anti-slavery views, promote Black Settlement in Canada and document the experiences of Black people in the Americas. Cary edited The Provincial Freeman until 1860, balancing her work with continuing efforts supporting education and woman's rights.
After the Civil War, Cary returned to the United States, attending Howard University Law School and becoming one of the first Black female lawyers in the country. She worked tirelessly throughout her long career to open doors for African Americans and women through her writing, activism and pioneering professional roles.
 
Sarah E. Goode (1850-1905): Inventor and Patent Holder
Sarah E. Goode gained her freedom following Emancipation and became a pioneer in business and invention. Operating a furniture store in Chicago with her husband Archibald, Goode saw a need for space-saving furniture to accommodate the cramped living quarters of city-dwellers.
She invented a cabinet bed that folded up against the wall, including storage space and a pop-up desk. Goode was granted a patent for the invention on July 14, 1885, becoming the first African American woman to hold a U.S. patent. Her clever furniture design enabled tenants to transform small apartments into usable spaces, while providing her a source of income and recognition for her talent.
Goode used her success to become an advocate for African American and women's rights. She was active in her community, forming a local club for Black women and speaking on civil rights issues. Sarah E. Goode stands out as an early example of female ingenuity and entrepreneurship.
 
Though faced with legalized discrimination and prejudice, these groundbreaking African Americans achieved monumental accomplishments in business, activism, education and media. From pioneering professions to establishing successful enterprises, they paved the way for future generations of Black entrepreneurs, inventors, journalists and change-makers. 

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