Book cover of The History of Black Business in America: Capitalism, Race, Entrepreneurship: Volume 1, To 1865

Book description

Despite almost four centuries of black independent self-help enterprises, the agency of African Americans in attempting to forge their own economic liberation through business activities and entrepreneurship has remained noticeably absent from the historical record. Juliet Walker's award-winning ""History of Black Business in America"" is the only source that provides…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The History of Black Business in America as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Professor Walker’s book represents the definitive overview of African American business history.

Her narrative begins on the African continent, where she explodes myths about African Americans not possessing a long-standing business tradition.

Similarly, Walker’s discussion of the entrepreneurial activities of enslaved Africans is a ground-breaking contribution to historical scholarship.

This is at the top of my favorite books list!

From Robert's list on African American business history.

If you love The History of Black Business in America...

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields,

2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction.

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive…

Want books like The History of Black Business in America?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The History of Black Business in America.

Browse books like The History of Black Business in America

Book cover of Entrepreneurship and Self-Help among Black Americans: A Reconsideration of Race and Economics
Book cover of An Economic Detour: A History of Insurance in the Lives of American Negroes
Book cover of Ethnic Enterprise in America: Business and Welfare Among Chinese, Japanese, and Blacks

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,343

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The History of Black Business in America, you might also like...

Book cover of Let Evening Come

Let Evening Come by Yvonne Osborne,

After her mother is killed in a rare Northern Michigan tornado, Sadie Wixom is left with only her father and grandfather to guide her through young adulthood. Miles away in western Saskatchewan, Stefan Montegrand and his Indigenous family are displaced from their land by multinational energy companies. They are taken…

Book cover of The Sarcophagus Scroll

The Sarcophagus Scroll by Kat Miller,

A dark academia mystery thriller set in contemporary St Andrews, with snappy dialogue and a strong sense of place.

When Ellie Meikle moves to the picturesque seaside town of St Andrews to study for her PhD in Ancient History, she soon feels as if she has made a mistake. She…

5 book lists we think you will like!