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Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered presents a fascinating history spanning over 148 years.

The research material and photographs are designed to aid students and enthusiasts with African American Automotive History.

17/05/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered:
Mel Farr
Did you know?
In 1998, Farr was the first African American dealer to be ranked #1 in Black Enterprise Magazine's Top 100 list of all black-owned businesses with revenues of $600 million. Farr owned the top black-owned business in the United States and the US's 33rd largest auto dealership. Additionally, he was also selected Member Emeritus by FMMDA.
For more fascinating information on Farr and others who impacted Black Transportation history read their stories here as well as links to follow

10/05/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered:
A. Phillip Randolph
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03/05/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered:

Ellenae Fairhurst owner of the first-ever Black-owned Lexus dealership. Lexus of Huntsville is located in Huntsville, Alabama, and is the nation’s 48th largest dealership owned and operated by an African American. When COVID-19 hit the U.S. her dealership, didn't hesitate to conform to the nuance that now allows consumers to customize their car online and have it delivered to their homes.
For further reading scroll down to a short bio.

25/04/2022

Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered presents a fascinating history spanning over 148 years.

18/04/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered:

Elijah J. McCoy (May 2, 1844 – October 10, 1929)

Beginning at a young age, Elijah McCoy showed a strong interest in mechanics. His parents arranged for him to travel to Scotland at the age of 15 for an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering. He returned home to Michigan after becoming certified as a mechanical engineer.

Despite his qualifications, McCoy was unable to find work as an engineer in the United States due to racial barriers; skilled professional positions were not available for African Americans at the time, regardless of their training or background. McCoy accepted a position as a fireman and oiler for the Michigan Central Railroad. It was in this line of work that he developed his first major inventions. After studying the inefficiencies inherent in the existing system of oiling axles, McCoy invented a lubricating cup that distributed oil evenly over the engine's moving parts. He obtained a patent for this invention, which allowed trains to run continuously for long periods of time without pausing for maintenance.

McCoy continued to refine his devices, receiving nearly 60 patents over the course of his life. While the majority of his inventions related to lubrication systems, he also developed designs for an ironing board, a lawn sprinkler, and other machines. Although McCoy's achievements were recognized in his own time, his name did not appear on the majority of the products that he devised. Lacking the capital with which to manufacture his lubricators in large numbers, he typically assigned his patent rights to his employers or sold them to investors. In 1920, toward the end of his life, McCoy formed the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company to produce lubricators bearing his name.

McCoy married Ann Elizabeth Stewart in 1868. She died four years after their marriage. In 1873, McCoy married Mary Eleanor Delaney. In 1922, the McCoys were involved in an automobile accident. Mary died, while Elijah sustained critical injuries from which he never fully recovered.

Elijah McCoy died in the Eloise Infirmary in Detroit, Michigan, on October 10, 1929. He was 85. He is buried at Detroit Memorial Park East in Warren, Michigan.

"Elijah McCoy Picture". Argot Language Center. Archived from the original on 2018-01-24

Elijah McCoy, inventor profile". National Inventors Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2018-1-28.

"Midwest Regional U.S. Patent and Trademark Office". USPTO. Retrieved January 24, 2018.

04/04/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered:

William McDonald Felton Son of Sonny Felton was born in Marshville Georgia around 1876. Not much is known about Felton’s early life due to poor record-keeping concerning black people in those days his exact birth year is unknown. Felton married Josephine Kitts, a British West Indies woman and they had a
son William Mcdonald Felton Jr and a daughter who died as a child.
Felton was a watch repairer in Marshville Ga and in 1898 he moved to New York City and opened a shop that repaired watches, clocks, and, guns.
In 1901 Felton partnered with a chauffer school.
In 1902 William Mcdonald Felton opened The aero Transportation and Sales Company he earned enough money to open up the 59th street theatre and other clubs in the all-black district of New York
City.
In 1910 The Auto Transportation & Sales Company encroached 4 stories of a 7 story building with 15 employees.
In 1914 William Mcdonald Felton expanded his business by moving to Harrisburg Pennsylvania and opened the first black auto and airplane mechanics school in the growing aviation industry. Black men, caucasian men, and women were recruited by offering separate classes by gender his entrepreneurial instincts led him to be the first to ever offer classes by gender using alternate days of the week.
In 1923 Feltons Feltons Newly constructed auto and Aero Mechanical School being the first Black man to own a flying school and airstrip, Felton made his intention to expand on his $100,000 flying school he was met with resistance from local Caucasians which postponed the expansion.
In 1924 Felton used his genius to expand by creating a home study program wherein students took lessons sent and received by mail to learn the repair of automobiles and aircraft.
In May of 1927 Feltons school was destroyed by fire. William Felton McDonald died in 1930.

William McDonald Felton (earlyaviators.com)
William McDonald Felton – Digital Harrisburg

23/03/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered:
Ben Hardy
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17/03/2022

Roberts Motor Co. advertisement from a Kansas City Call special issue, July 27, 1928. Missouri Valley Special Collections.
Homer Roberts was as persistent in the 1920s as any car salesman today, but his goals reached well beyond the next sale. With enduring determination and a love of the motorcar, Roberts was the first African American to own an automobile dealership in the country.

Roberts was born in Ash Grove, Missouri, and grew up in Wellington, Kansas. He attended Tuskegee Institute and studied electrical engineering at Kansas State Agricultural College. He moved to Kansas City but found no one here willing to hire a black electrical engineer. The army put Roberts’ talents to use during World War I, where he served in the signal corps and rose to the rank of first lieutenant.

Roberts began selling automobiles in 1919, using a curbstone as his office. He soon moved to indoor quarters and his sales increased. In 1923, he purchased a two-story building at 1826-30 Vine that fronted the corner of 19th and Vine. The $70,000 Roberts Building contained a restaurant, several shops, offices, and a garage and showroom for Roberts’ "Motor Mart."

By 1928, Roberts had sold more than $2 million worth of cars, mostly to African Americans. His entire sales, clerical, and garage staff was African American. Although he specialized in the Hupmobile, Roberts sold many other domestic models. His status as a dealer to the black community gave him permission from automobile manufacturers to sell several makes.

Roberts moved to Chicago in 1929 to open the Roberts-Campbell dealership in the Grand Hotel. He served with the Army in World War II and was transferred to the Pentagon, where he served in the public relations department. He continued working in Chicago in the public relations field after the war until his death in 1952.

The Roberts Building still stands on Vine Street, its glazed brick walls a tribute to a local automobile enthusiast and solid businessman of the 18th and Vine community.

Primary Sources:
The Kansas City Call
Secondary Sources:
Mecca of the New Negro
National Register of Historic Places: Multiple Property Documentation Form, 18th and Vine Multiple Resource Area
Acknowledgment:
A previous version of this essay is published on kchistory.org: http://kchistory.org/content/biography-homer-b-roberts-1888-1952-automob..

16/03/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered:
Wendell Scott
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The first African American driver in NASCAR, and the first to win a race in the Grand National Series.

15/03/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered
Sangulani Chikumbutso
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14/03/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered
Pullman Porters
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11/03/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered
Garrett Agustus Morgan
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10/03/2022

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Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered

07/03/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered
Lonnie Johnson
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25/02/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered
George Washington Carver & Henry Ford

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24/02/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered
Dorothy Vaughn
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24/02/2022

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered:
Patricia Cowings
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Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered presents a fascinating history spanning over 148 years.

ABSORB EXPAND & CONNECT Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered

As a U.S. Historian, I tasked myself with the responsibility of recognizing frequently unmentioned and unknown Black American's. I aspire to create and proudly display a unique collection of Black men and women who contribute, both past and present to the United States and abroad Automotive history. Join me in this most fascinating journey.

Celebrating Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered:

ABSORB EXPAND & CONNECT Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered

Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered presents a fascinating history spanning over 148 years. The research material and photographs are designed to aid students and enthusiasts with African American Automotive History.

Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered presents a unique collection of Black men and women who contribute, both past and present to the United States and abroad Automotive history. Join me in this most fascinating journey.

Black Automotive & Transportation History Uncovered

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