Entrepreneur

Entrepreneur

First African American Pilot

Journalist, Entrepreneur, Host, Actress

Bass is known as the first African American woman to own and operate a newspaper (The California Eagle) in the United States.

Cardwell (1894-1962) was a Musician, Educator, and founder of the extraordinary National Negro Opera Company (Pittsburg, 1941), and the Cardwell School of Music.

Owner and Publisher of the Pittsburgh Courier.

Robinson (1936-2011) was a Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, the Mother of Hip Hop, and founder and CEO of Sugar Hill Records.

Cook/Chef

Entrepreneur in fashion, journalism, and beauty. Founder of Ebony Fashion Fair Tour, Fashion Fair Cosmetics, and Ebony and Jet Magazine and The Negro Digest.

Burroughs (1879-1961) was one of the most influential women of the early 20th century. She was a businesswoman, unbowed social and political activist, and a key figure in the women’s suffrage movement.

Owner of Rose Meta House of Beauty in Sugar Hill & A founder of NY's only black owned commercial bank, the Freedom National Bank.

Ada Beatrice Queen Victoria Louise Virginia Smith, called "Bricktop" for her fiery red hair, led an extraordinary life and was known by many names including The Queen of Paris Nightclubs.

After suing for and being granted her freedom, Biddy became one of the first black women to own land in Los Angeles and she founded the first black church in Los Angeles, the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1872. "If you hold your hand closed, nothing good can come in. The open hand is blessed, for it gives in abundance, even as it receives."

“My cause was the cause of freedom and equality for myself and for my people and I’d rather be a corpse than a coward.”

Pioneering inventor in the haircare and beauty industry

Co-Owner of Rose Meta House of Beauty

“I’m not afraid of Dutch Schultz or any other man living. He’ll never touch me.” After Schultz was shot in the stomach while on the toilet at his favorite restaurant, St. Clair sent a telegram to his hospital bed that read “So You Sow — So Shall Ye Reap.” signed “Madam Queen of Policy.”