Year: 1898

Who: Anthony Overton

Where: Kansas City, Missouri

In 1898, Anthony Overton took a bold step that would forever reshape the landscape of entrepreneurship in America. In an era when opportunities for African Americans were severely limited, Overton founded the Hygienic Manufacturing Company in Kansas City, producing a variety of products like baking powder and cosmetics. This endeavor not only marked the beginning of his legacy as a successful business magnate but also showcased his remarkable ingenuity and resourcefulness. Through a combination of scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit, Overton was able to build a thriving enterprise, a feat that would make him one of the most influential African American businessmen of his time.

Anthony Overton’s impact extended far beyond the founding of his first company. His work as a businessman, banker, and publisher profoundly influenced the African American community, challenging the historical norms of segregation and racial inequality. In 1911, he moved his operations to Chicago, where he expanded his business empire to include cosmetics, perfumes, and a series of essential financial institutions. Notably, Overton founded the Douglass National Bank in 1923, one of the first nationally chartered Black-owned banks in the United States, helping to provide vital financial services to the Black community. His work in publishing, with the launch of the Chicago Bee newspaper and the establishment of Half-Century Magazine, also helped amplify African American voices and address issues such as civil rights and economic justice.

Today, Anthony Overton’s contributions live on through the institutions he created and the trail he blazed for future generations of African American entrepreneurs. His name is honored in Chicago, where Anthony Overton Elementary School serves as a testament to his enduring legacy. Overton’s impact can still be seen in the thriving Black business sector, which continues to break barriers and challenge the systemic racism that once stifled opportunity. His story reminds us of the power of resilience and vision in the face of adversity, inspiring modern entrepreneurs and social activists to continue fighting for equity and opportunity in all sectors of society.

Sources:

Websites:

• African American Registry. (n.d.). Anthony Overton, Businessman born. African American Registry. https://aaregistry.org/story/anthony-overton-business-pioneer/

• BlackPast.org. (n.d.). Overton, Anthony (1865–1946). BlackPast.org. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/overton-anthony-1865-1946/