America, always revered as the land of opportunity, is rich in stories about ambitious, determined individuals who worked hard and built businesses of their own. Yet, few people know about the many African American entrepreneurs who helped shape the American dream. This collection brings their stories to life. America, always revered as the land of opportunity, is rich in stories about ambitious, determined individuals who worked hard and built businesses of their own. Yet, few people know about the many African American entrepreneurs who helped shape the American dream. This collection brings their stories to life. THE EARLY YEARS.Marie-Therese Metoyer.Paul Cuffe.James Forten.Pierre Toussaint."Free Frank" McWorter.Thomas L. Jennings.William Leidesdorff.David Ruggles.THE CIVIL WAR YEARS AND RECONSTRUCTION.Elizabeth Keckley.Richard Henry Boyd.Granville T. Woods.INTO THE NEW CENTURY.Madame C. J. Walker.Maggie Lena Walker.Charles Clinton Spaulding.Philip A. Payton Jr.Oscar Michaeux.A. G. Gaston.Ada "Bricktop" Smith.Jake Simmons Jr.Janet Harmon Bragg.MODERN TIMES.Henry G. Parks.John H. Johnson.Dempsey J. Travis.Berry Gordy Jr.Quincy Jones.Earl G. Graves.Reginald F. Lewis.Oprah Winfrey.Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee.Alphonse "Buddy" Fletcher Jr.Omar Wasow.Chronology.Notes.Bibliography.Picture Credits.Index.