Sonny’s Spotlight: 28 Black Trailblazers and the Modern Money Moves to Get You Started

Welcome back to the blog! This February, we’re doing things a little differently. We’ve teamed up with Sonny to bring you a daily deep dive into the lives of 28 incredible Black trailblazers who didn’t just break glass ceilings: they built the entire building.

But we aren't just here for a history lesson. At The Black Wall Streets, our mission is to rebuild that spirit of economic self-reliance. That’s why for every pioneer we highlight, we’ve included a Modern Money Move. These are actionable steps you can take today to honor their legacy and grow your own bag.

Whether you're looking to #Buyblack, start your own venture, or master your personal finances, let these legends be your guide.

1. Maggie Lena Walker – The Architect of Community Banking

Maggie Lena Walker was the first African American woman to charter and own a bank in the U.S. In 1903, she founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank to turn "nickels into dollars" for the Black community in Richmond.

• The Modern Money Move: Open an account at a Black-owned bank or a community development financial institution (CDFI). Automate a monthly transfer: even if it’s just $25: into a high-yield savings account. Supporting these institutions ensures our community’s capital stays within our community.

2. Reginald F. Lewis – The Billion-Dollar Dealmaker

Reginald Lewis was the ultimate "closer." He became the first Black American to build a billion-dollar company through the leveraged buyout of TLC Beatrice. He proved that no room is too exclusive for a Black entrepreneur with a plan.

• The Modern Money Move: Invest in your professional brand. Whether it’s a high-quality graphic tee that speaks to your ambition or a new certification, treat your career like a business. Start tracking your "profitability": are you reinvesting your income into assets that scale?

3. Madam C.J. Walker – The Queen of Entrepreneurship

Building a hair-care empire from the ground up, Madam C.J. Walker didn't just sell products; she sold opportunity by training thousands of Black women to be "Walker Agents."

• The Modern Money Move: Turn a problem you solve every day into a side hustle. If you have a skill or a product idea, don't wait for "perfection." Start small and scale. While you work on your empire, don't forget self-care: light a luxury candle from our collection to keep your creative energy flowing.

4. John W. Rogers Jr. – The King of Patient Investing

Founder of Ariel Investments, Rogers taught us that wealth isn’t made overnight: it’s built through patience and sticking to your values.

• The Modern Money Move: Review your 401(k) or brokerage account today. Are you diversified? Instead of chasing the latest crypto trend, pick a solid index fund and commit to a 10-year horizon. Consistency is the real secret sauce.

5. Mellody Hobson – The Financial Literacy Champion

As the co-CEO of Ariel Investments, Hobson is a vocal advocate for "financial bravery." She believes talking about money is the first step to mastering it.

• The Modern Money Move: Schedule a 30-minute "Money Date" with yourself every month. Review your subscriptions, your debt, and your goals. Treating your finances like a priority: not a chore: changes your relationship with wealth.

6. Robert L. Johnson – The Media Visionary

The founder of BET, Johnson was the first Black American billionaire. He saw a gap in the media landscape and filled it with Black culture.

• The Modern Money Move: Content is currency. If you have expertise, share it online. Building a personal brand or a digital product is one of the lowest-cost ways to create an additional income stream in 2026.

7. Ernesta Procope – The First Lady of Wall Street

She founded the E.G. Bowman Company, making it the first Black-owned business on Wall Street. She focused on providing insurance equity for underserved communities.

• The Modern Money Move: Audit your insurance coverage. Do you have adequate life and disability insurance? Protecting your assets is just as important as growing them. Make sure your family’s future is secured.

8. Mary T. Washington – The CPA Trailblazer

In 1943, she became the first Black woman CPA in the U.S. She opened doors for countless Black accountants to enter the corporate world.

• The Modern Money Move: Hire a professional. If you’re a business owner or have multiple income streams, a Black CPA can help you find tax deductions you never knew existed. Reinvest those savings back into your business or a new accessory to celebrate your win.

9. Ben Slayton – The Real Estate Pioneer

The first Black REALTOR®, Slayton spent decades fighting for Black homeownership.

• The Modern Money Move: Check your credit score today. If it’s not where you want it to be, create a plan to pay down high-interest debt. Homeownership remains one of the primary drivers of generational wealth in the U.S.

10. Joseph L. Searles III – Breaking the NYSE Barrier

The first Black member of the New York Stock Exchange, Searles proved that the "floor" belongs to us, too.

• The Modern Money Move: Buy your first share of a company you actually use. Whether it's tech, retail, or energy, becoming a "shareholder" changes your mindset from a consumer to an owner.

11. Norman McGhee Sr. – The Brokerage Founder

McGhee founded the first Black-owned brokerage firm in 1952, giving the community a seat at the table.

• The Modern Money Move: Start an investment club with three friends. Pool your knowledge, research companies together, and hold each other accountable for your savings goals.

12. Clifton Wharton Jr. – The Corporate Legend

A former Fortune 500 CEO, Wharton showed that leadership and policy go hand-in-hand.

• The Modern Money Move: Maximize your employer benefits. If they offer a 401(k) match, that is literally free money. Don't leave it on the table.

13. Imani Moise – The Accountability Journalist

A top financial reporter, Moise uses her platform to hold big banks accountable.

• The Modern Money Move: Be a conscious consumer. Research the banks you use. If they aren't investing in your community, consider moving your money to an institution that does.

14. Christopher Phelps – The "Financipation" Guru

Phelps focuses on breaking the cycle of financial struggle through literacy.

• The Modern Money Move: Spend one hour a week reading a financial book or listening to a wealth-building podcast. Knowledge is the only asset that can't be taken from you.

15. Sheena Allen – The Fintech Founder

Sheena created CapWay to provide banking services to the unbanked and underbanked.

• The Modern Money Move: Support Black-owned Fintech. If you're looking for a new way to manage your budget or send money, see if there's a Black-owned app that fits your needs.

16. Dasha Kennedy – The Financial Activist

Known as "The Broke Black Girl," Kennedy helps Black women navigate financial hardship toward empowerment.

• The Modern Money Move: Create an "In Case of Emergency" fund. Having three to six months of expenses saved up gives you the "walk-away power" to leave a toxic job or a bad situation.

17. Aaron Mitchell – The Netflix Maverick

Mitchell successfully advocated for Netflix to move $100 million into Black-owned banks.

• The Modern Money Move: Corporate advocacy. If you work in a large company, ask about their diversity in procurement. Encourage your company to buy their supplies from Black-owned vendors.

18. Eugene Kinckle Jones – The Opportunity Champion

An early leader of the National Urban League, Jones bridged the gap between labor and capital.

• The Modern Money Move: Network with intention. Join a professional organization that aligns with your goals. Your network is your net worth.

19. Booker T. Washington – The Self-Reliance Advocate

Founder of the National Negro Business League, Washington believed business ownership was the key to freedom.

• The Modern Money Move: Buy something from a Black-owned business today. Whether it’s a hat or a gift for a friend, every dollar spent at a Black-owned store is a vote for our economic future.

20. Mary Church Terrell – The Justice Advocate

Terrell connected civil rights to economic opportunity, proving you can't have one without the other.

• The Modern Money Move: Support organizations that fight for fair lending laws. Policy change makes personal wealth-building easier for everyone.

21. Sharon Epperson – The Media Mentor

As a CNBC correspondent, Epperson brings personal finance advice to the masses.

• The Modern Money Move: Write down your financial goals for the next 12 months. People who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them.

22. Earl G. Graves Sr. – The Publishing Giant

The founder of Black Enterprise, Graves gave us the blueprint for Black business success.

• The Modern Money Move: Curate your social media feed. Follow accounts that inspire you to build wealth rather than just spend it.

23. Ursula Burns – The Glass-Ceiling Shatterer

The first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company (Xerox), Burns rose from an intern to the CEO.

• The Modern Money Move: Negotiate your salary. Don't just accept the first offer. Research the market rate and advocate for your worth.

24. Robert F. Smith – The Tech Visionary

The founder of Vista Equity Partners, Smith is famous for his large-scale philanthropy, including paying off student debt.

• The Modern Money Move: Invest in software or tools that save you time. Automation is the key to scaling any business or personal finance system.

25. Janice Bryant Howroyd – The Staffing Mogul

The first Black woman to own a billion-dollar company, Howroyd's ActOne Group is a global powerhouse.

• The Modern Money Move: If you're an entrepreneur, document your processes. Building a system that works without you is the difference between having a job and having a business.

26. A.G. Gaston – The Multi-Industry Titan

Gaston built a portfolio of insurance, banking, and real estate, proving that diversification is key.

• The Modern Money Move: Create a "passive income" stream. Whether it's dividends, royalties, or a digital product on The Black Wall Streets marketplace, aim to make money while you sleep.

27. Herman J. Russell – The Construction King

Russell literally built the Atlanta skyline. He proved that physical assets like real estate are enduring.

• The Modern Money Move: Learn about Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). If you aren't ready to buy a building, you can still invest in real estate through the stock market for a fraction of the cost.

28. Berry Gordy – The Culture Creator

The founder of Motown, Gordy showed the world that Black culture is the most valuable export on the planet.

• The Modern Money Move: Protect your intellectual property. If you have a brand name, logo, or unique process, trademark it. Your ideas are your most valuable assets.

Your Legacy Starts Now

28 days. 28 legends. 28 moves.

Black history isn't just in the past: it’s something we’re writing every single day with our spending habits and our investment choices. When you choose to #Buyblack at blackwallstreets.store, you’re not just buying a product; you’re investing in the next generation of trailblazers.

Which move are you making today? Drop a comment below or tag us in your progress. Let’s build.