Accomplishments of Black Women in Business of the Decade

Between 2000 and 2009, black women made significant accomplishments and contributions to the business world. Black women started businesses at three-to-five times the rate of all other new businesses between 2006 and 2009.

Just a few more highlights from the past decade:

• 2003 - First African-American Female Billionaire: Sheila Crump Johnson became the first Black female billionaire in the United States, even before Oprah Winfrey became a billionaire. Johnson was also the first African-American woman to build a luxury hotel in the U.S.

• 2008 - First Bust of Black Woman in U.S. Capitol: In October 2008, the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. (NCBW) delivered the bust of Sojourner Truth to the U.S. Capitol. Sojourner Truth 1797 - November 26, 1883) was an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist.

  Truth became the first Black woman to be honored ed with a bust in the U.S. Capitol. Her bust is located in the Portrait Monument along side Susan B. Anthony and others who worked for the right for women to vote and towards abolishing slavery.

• 2009 - First Black-Woman CEO: July 1, 2009, Ursula Burns became the first black woman CEO to head a FORTUNE 500 Company. Taking over the helm of Xerox, Burns joined the list of four other Black CEOs (all men) for 2009.

Read more about the extraordinary achievements of Black women over the past decade, Accomplishments of Black Women in Business of the Decade.