2023 24 Black Pages FINAL 2 - Flipbook - Page 95
ϭϵϬϬ
In 1900, Booker T. Washington founded the National Negro Business League (NNBL) to prioritize economic
development in achieving African-American equality in the U.S. The League united Black small business owners,
doctors, farmers, professionals, and craftsmen across the nation. It’s first meeting took place in Boston MA on
Aug 23rd and 24th 1900. Macon Black businesses were well-represented, with seven dedicated delegates in
attendance, two of whom were speakers (W. O, Emory, and Thomas Green).
This event served as a significant debut, with Macon's delegates making powerful statements that highlighted not
only the city of Macon, but also the state of Georgia as an attractive location for relocation, investments, and
business opportunities.
DĂĐŽŶͲϭϵϬϬ
ϭϵϬϬͲDĂĐŽŶ
e EE>ΖƐZĞƉŽƌƚŽĨƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĂŶĚƵƐŝŶĞƐƐͲŵĞŶŽĨ
DĂĐŽŶ͕'feature a i erse arra of enter rises
in lu ing t ent t ree gro er stores tailors
ress a ers un erta ers attress a ers
ut ers roo
anufa turers trun a ers an
arious restaurants an ars. Most on otton e ut
ot ers on t
reen ring Ma ison Ne street
an ot ers.
“we will own the railroads…
That is the way to do it. …I am
a Southern man, born a slave,
and have lived in the South all
my life, and everything I have
on top of the earth I have dug it
out with this right arm.”
- W. O. EMERY, MACON
,
Aug 23 and 24, 1900
“I came all these 1,500 miles to
represent the Negro
Businessman's League of
Macon, and I here represent the
Negro businessmen of Macon”
n
dŚĞDĂĐŽŶ^ĞŶƚŝŶĞů an fri an
eri an
o ne ee l ŶĞǁƐƉĂƉĞƌ a ertise arious
enter rises in t e e ort of Business an Business
en of Ma on
fro t e National Negro
Business League’s first National Meeting.
e Ma on sentinel. anuar
dƌĂŶƐĐƌŝƉƚĨƌŽŵt͘K͘ŵŽƌLJƐƉĞĞĐŚ
95
ϭϵϬϬ
