Black Economic Heroes Need Exposure Too!

by Joe C. Hopkins

When we think of Black heroes we think of those few portrayed in America's history books as well as Black athletes and entertainers, Black Congress men and women, Black religious figures, other Black political figures and Black Civil Rights figures. What we don’t present enough of our Black business and professional leaders who could be role models our kids can copy.

We need to present more economic leaders like America's first Black female millionaire Madame C.J. Walker; Southern businessman, A.G. Gaston; Ebony magazine publisher, John Johnson, and giants like Reginald Lewis of Beatrice Foods and Earl Graves of Black Enterprise magazine. Others include Robert. L Johnson, Berry Gordy of Motown Entertainment, Cathy Hughes Radio station owner, Maggie Lena Walker of Penny Savings Bank , John Senstacke, newspaper Publisher; Dr. Carlton Goodlet, newspaper publisher; Spike Lee, moviemaker; Herman Russell Atlanta businessman; Don King boxing promoter; Arthur Mitchell, founder of the Dance Theater of Harlem, School and Theater; Alescia Buford, Public Relations Agency; Carol Williams Advertising Agency; Roy Clay, Silicon Valley, pioneer and CEO of Rod L, Electronics; and Iris Rideau, founder of Rideau Winery and Vineyards of Solvang, California.

These and many others are the heroes that we don’t hear much about and, therefore, don’t present them to our young people as heroes to model their lives after. These entrepreneurs are examples of what our children can do with their lives as an alternative to the streets.

In the study of American History there is much space dedicated to the so-called giants involved in creating the oil industry, the railroads, and the steel industries. Names like Carnegie, Mellon, Rockefeller and Ford are emblazoned in the minds of all American students. They are all White and so they have the greatest influence on White Children. There are no names of Black entrepreneurs like A.G. Gaston who started numerous businesses and schools in the South succeeding against the odds. There’s no mention of John Johnson who created Johnson publications from a $500 loan from his mother and utilized the Black Sleeping Car Porters to distribute the magazine throughout the United States. Founders of Black owned banks and insurance companies never mentioned, and so Black children only learned that they were slaves.

As a possible exception and consolation to being taught that Blacks were slaves, when I was in school, we were allowed to hear about George Washington Carver, a genius who created hundreds of products from the peanut. No history is given as to how much money he did or didn’t make and if not, why not. Was he eligible for a loan? No. Did white banks discriminate against him? Probably. Was he able to raise money from the Stock market? No. Then we got Booker T Washington who is remembered for his great speech where he says that Black folks and white folks can be together like the fingers on a closed fist in things that are economic but as separate as the fingers on an open hand in things that are social. The obvious reference and lesson is that Black folks can still be used as a work force, one step above slavery as long as the relationship is still "white master" and black servant and laborer. Dr. Claude Anderson describes this relationship in his book, with the tell tale title, "Black Labor White Wealth ."

I suggest to parents that you use the weekends to begin to introduce your children to Black heroes other than the usual ones in entertainment and sports, and watch your children grow in knowledge and pride. Create private Educational Enrichment programs outside the schools as a vehicle to help in the battle to get our children from the negative influences of gansta rap and gangster images that fill the airwaves. If you wouldn’t want the likes of 50 Cents and Snoop Dogg baby sitting your kids, then monitor what they watch on television, and provide some alternatives. The Internet and the libraries are full of positive real role models. Try it and see!