Elizabeth Keckley

Elizabeth Keckley (1818–1907), a fashion designer, was an enslaved woman who purchased her freedom and became the first to serve as a personal confidante, companion, and dress designer for Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln from 1861 to 1865.

Sarah Goode

Sarah Goode (1850–1905), an entrepreneur and inventor, was the first African American woman granted a U.S. patent for her innovative folding bed in 1885, designed to help apartment dwellers maximize limited space, and creating the precursor to the Murphy Bed.

Maggie Lena Walker

Maggie Lena Walker (1864–1934), a teacher, businesswoman, and leader, was the first to become a bank president at St. Luke Savings Bank in Richmond, Virginia, in 1903. She also founded a newspaper and department store to promote economic independence.

Madam C.J. Walker

Madam C.J. Walker (1867 – 1919), a civil rights activist, philanthropist and entrepreneur, was regarded as the first to become a self – made millionaire; however, research now reflects her mentor in the hair care industry, Annie Turnbo Malone, as the first millionaire.

Annie Turnbo Malone

Annie Turnbo Malone (1869 - 1957), an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and scientist, was the first US. Millionaire based on her company owning fourteen million dollars in assets in 1920. She was a mentor to Madame C.J. Walker and introduced her to the black hair care industry.

Lillian Lincoln Lambert

Lillian Lincoln Lambert (b. 1940) was the first African American woman to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1969. Her remarkable achievements in business and community service earned her the school’s Distinguished Alumni Award and national recognition for her leadership.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey (b. 1954) an American media proprietor and philanthropists, was the first to form and create her own television and film production company (Harpo Productions in 1986) and additionally was the first to become a billionaire.

Linda Johnson Rice

Linda Johnson Rice (b. 1958) was the first African American woman to become CEO of a top-five Black Enterprise 100 company, leading Johnson Publishing and its Ebony and Jet brands, while serving on philanthropic and corporate boards including Omnicom Group and Enova.

Ursula M. Burns

Ursula M. Burns (b. 1958) became the first African American woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Xerox, in 2009, and is a leading advocate for STEM education.

Rosalind Brewer

Rosalind Brewer (b. 1962), was the first woman and the first African-American to hold a CEO position at one of Walmart, Inc.’s business units, Sam’s Club in 2012.

DaVita Vance Cook

Davita Vance-Cooks (b. 1954) made history in 2014 as the first African American and first woman confirmed as Public Printer, leading the U.S. Government Publishing Office with distinction.