Black Fortunes by Shomari Wills

by

Ginaya
​Donnette

If you like the Netflix original Self Made: the story of the life of Madame CJ Walker then you will enjoy this read. I love to learn about Black History but it’s even better when told through the art of storytelling.  In the book Black Fortunes author Wills brings life to the characters weaving each tale as if it's fiction.  The stories interlap so you never get bored like you might be with a lateral version of events.  Each riveting moment of their lives is doused with the context of what was happening during that moment in history. 

​I was astonished by how these six entrepreneurs worked so hard and didn’t give up even when faced with catastrophe or worse - violence.  They would brush off the dust and find another opportunity.  Sometimes a new opportunity wasn’t in the same state or even the same industry but it proved successful nonetheless.  It shows how brilliant they were and that no one achieved their fortunes by luck; it was a little bit of ingenuity and a whole lot of gumption.