THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF BLACK AUTOMOBILE OWNERSHIP

The American automobile industry is typically taught as the story of white industrialists—Ford, Dodge, Chrysler.

But in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, African Americans were deeply involved in:
•Carriage manufacturing
•Automotive repair
•Independent design
•Regional vehicle production

Several Black entrepreneurs attempted to start automobile companies or related manufacturing businesses.

Most failed—not because of lack of skill or vision—but because of:
•Racist banking practices
•Denial of business loans
•Restricted access to materials
•A segregated economy designed to keep Black businesses small

Only one Black-owned automobile manufacturer truly broke through and produced cars at scale.

That man was C.R. Patterson.