African American businesspeople

Edward Vaughn Papers

srafferty — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 14:38:26 -0500

Edward Vaughn was a participant in the rise of black consciousness that began to proliferate in the 1960s. He opened Vaughn’s Bookstore in Detroit in 1965, the second black bookstore in America, and it was well known as disseminator of books and information on African American history. Vaughn also became involved in Forum 66, Black Star Co-op Inc., was part of the 6th Pan-African Congress, and a number of other organizations promoting African American culture and Detroit community. Vaughn later became involved in politics at both a city and state level, serving as a Michigan State Representative, Executive Assistant to Mayor Coleman Young, and ran for other office including the Detroit City Council. After retiring from political office Vaughn moved back to his hometown of Dothan, Alabama and became more heavily involved in the NAACP, including serving as President of the Dothan/Wiregrass Branch. Vaughn also spends time writing plays and promoting local theatre.

Collection Spotlight: Ramon S. Scruggs, Sr. Papers

gstrassel — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 10:37:14 -0500

Best known as the first African American member of management at both the Michigan Bell Telephone Company and AT&T, Ramon S. Scruggs, Sr. served as an influential civil rights figure in the American business community from the 1940s until his passing in 1984. What separated Scruggs from many other civil rights figures was his focus on improving racial equality through integrating African Americans into positions of management within large corporations. The Ramon S. Scruggs Sr. Papers, recently opened to the public at the Walter P. Reuther Library, chronicle the subject’s numerous accomplishments. read more »

Oral History Heroes: William V. Banks

rbizonet — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 16:50:52 -0500

William V. Banks seemingly did it all: he was a lawyer, minister, Freemason, businessman, and civic leader. He is perhaps best known as the founder of the United States’ first Black-owned and operated television station, WGPR-TV 62, and its sister radio station, WGPR-FM. In addition to all of these accomplishments, he was also known as an advocate for labor. In the 1930s, as the head of the Detroit arm of the International Labor Defense, he defended imprisoned striking workers in a business and social climate that was often hostile to organized labor and strikers. read more »

(vmc3323) Television; Stations; WGPR-TV; New All Black Station.

rbizonet — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 17:10:20 -0500

Five men and one woman pose near television equipment at WGPR-TV, the first Black owned and operated television station in the United States. Third from the left is most likely station owner William V. Banks.

(32405) Ramon Scruggs, George Romney, Lenore Romney, 1963

gstrassel — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 09:46:03 -0500

Governor George Romney and Lenore Romney with Ramon S. Scruggs. August, 1963.

(32406) Ramon Scruggs and George Romney

gstrassel — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 09:55:05 -0500

Ramon Scruggs shaking hands with George Romney.

(32407) Ramon Scruggs, Detroit Urban League

gstrassel — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 09:59:54 -0500

Ramon Scruggs presiding at a Detroit Urban League event. Undated.

(32408) Ramon Scruggs, W. Calvin Patterson, 1954

gstrassel — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 10:03:26 -0500

Ramon Scruggs meeting with W. Calvin Patterson, the vice president of public relations at Michigan Bell Telephone Company. April 17, 1954.

(32409) Ramon Scruggs and Hubert H. Humphrey, Miami

gstrassel — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 10:06:40 -0500

Ramon Scruggs as vice president of the National Urban League greeting vice president Hubert H. Humphrey at an airport in Miami for the National Urban League conference. Undated

(32410) Ramon Scruggs, 1954

gstrassel — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 10:09:47 -0500

Ramon Scruggs portrait, 1954.

(32411) Scruggs at Michigan Bell

gstrassel — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 10:12:53 -0500

Ramon Scruggs at Michigan Bell with co-workers, circa 1940. From left to right: George Taylor, Ramon Scruggs, Augustus “Gus” Calloway.

(32412) Telephone equipment demonstration

gstrassel — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 10:15:21 -0500

One of the first assignments at Michigan Bell for Ramon Scruggs, giving a demonstration on unusual telephone company equipment, undated.

(32413) Public relations seminar, 1954

gstrassel — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 10:17:57 -0500

Public relations seminar led by Ramon Scruggs at the Michigan Bell Telephone Company. April 21, 1954.

[Podcast] A Double Agent, a Conservative Affirmative Action Advocate, and a Black Nationalist Walk Into an Archive...: Field Report with Archivist Louis Jones

teller — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:05:22 -0400

After a brief hiatus we’re back! Reuther Library Field Archivist Louis Jones discusses fascinating collections recently opened at the Reuther Library. read more »