I shall mention the names of one or more of the many men and women I have found engaged in all the pursuits and walks of life. I present in many cases the portraits of characters whose sketches appear, in order that the white people may make a study of their faces. Some, in fact many, of them are very dark. I mention this because I have been led to believe that it is the general opinion among Americans that quite a percentage of white blood runs through the veins of colored people who have proven their susceptibility to higher education. I believe, and I am confident, that the contents of this book will help me to demonstrate that the color of the skin, the texture of the hair, and the formation of the head, have nothing whatever to do with the development and expansion of the mind. I only hope that the white friends may be made to feel that the colored people are entitled to more consideration and ought to be given a better opportunity to fill the places for which they are being fitted, in the commercial and business life of this country.

Among the colored readers I hope to stimulate a greater interest in these institutions and thereby help to bring the race up to a higher educational and social level. In order that my book might not be too large, I had to omit a great many sketches of worthy persons and institutions; but I tried to mention one or more persons engaged in the different branches of business and professions. So any who are omitted will please attribute it to a want of space and not a neglect or oversight on my part.

I shall feel that I have accomplished a good work if I have set before my readers food for earnest thought on the questions involved.

G. F. Richings.

CONTENTS.

[Introduction.]iii
[Preface.]vii
[CHAPTER I.]
BAPTIST SCHOOLS MANAGED BY WHITE PEOPLE17
[CHAPTER II.]
BAPTIST SCHOOLS MANAGED BY COLORED PEOPLE41
[CHAPTER III.]
CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOLS71
[CHAPTER IV.]
EPISCOPAL SCHOOLS88
[CHAPTERS V. AND VI.]
METHODIST EPISCOPAL SCHOOLS97
[CHAPTER VII.]
A. M. E. SCHOOLS117
[CHAPTER VIII.]
A. M. E. ZION SCHOOL143
[CHAPTER IX.]
PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOLS MANAGED BY WHITE PEOPLE154
[CHAPTER X.]
PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOLS MANAGED BY COLORED PEOPLE158
[CHAPTER XI.]
TUSKEGEE AND NORMAL, BOTH IN ALABAMA189
[CHAPTER XII.]
ECKSTEIN NORTON UNIVERSITY, GLOUCESTER, AND OTHER SCHOOLS218
[CHAPTER XIII.]
ATLANTA UNIVERSITY AND BEREA COLLEGE248
[CHAPTER XIV.]
INSTITUTE FOR COLORED YOUTH, CAMP NELSON, AND SCHOOL WORK IN WASHINGTON254
[CHAPTER XV.]
NASHVILLE, TENN.264
[CHAPTER XVI.]
ATLANTA, GA., AND INDIANAPOLIS, IND.273
[CHAPTER XVII.]
FINE PENMEN278
[CHAPTER XVIII.]
COLORED LAWYERS284
[CHAPTER XIX.]
J. H. LEWIS AND OTHER BUSINESS MEN297
[CHAPTER XX.]
WALTER P. HALL AND OTHER SUCCESSFUL MERCHANTS316
[CHAPTER XXI.]
BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, ETC.334
[CHAPTER XXII.]
PATENTS AND OTHER BUSINESS INTERESTS342
[CHAPTER XXIII.]
COLORED EDITORS AND JOURNALISTS349
[CHAPTER XXIV.]
CHURCHES375
[CHAPTER XXV.]
HOSPITALS AND HOMES392
[CHAPTER XXVI.]
PROMINENT COLORED WOMEN411
[CHAPTER XXVII.]
DR. JOHN R. FRANCIS AND HIS PRIVATE SANATORIUM429
[CHAPTER XXVIII.]
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOLS, BOYDTON INSTITUTE, AND CHRISTIANSBURG INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE436
[CHAPTER XXIX.]
HAMPTON INSTITUTE, HAMPTON, VA.445
[CHAPTER XXX.]
STATE SCHOOLS AND CALHOUN SETTLEMENT461
[CHAPTER XXXI.]
C. M. E. SCHOOLS472
[CHAPTER XXXII.]
CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS476
[CHAPTER XXXIII.]
COLEMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY481
[CHAPTER XXXIV.]
RICHMOND, VA.486
[CHAPTER XXXV.]
HERE AND THERE498
[CHAPTER XXXVI.]
NATIONAL BAPTIST PUBLISHING BOARD564
[CHAPTER XXXVII.]
COLORED SOLDIERS569
[CHAPTER XXXVIII.]
CONCLUSION572
[INDEX TO PORTRAITS OF PEOPLE]574