The Negro at Work in New York City: A Study in Economic Progress

A thorough survey of African‑American labor and entrepreneurship in early‑20th‑century New York, this work blends meticulous statistics with vivid portraits of everyday life. Drawing on interviews, government records and field observations gathered between 1909 and 1910, the author maps who was working, where, for how much, and under what conditions. The first part paints a detailed picture of wage‑earners—by age, gender, marital status and industry—while highlighting the challenges and efficiencies of domestic service, manufacturing and other occupations.

The second section shifts focus to Black‑owned businesses, tracing their origins, scales and economic impact across the city. By cataloguing tools, inventory, receipts and ownership patterns, the study reveals how entrepreneurship offered both opportunity and obstacle in a segregated market. Readers gain a data‑rich yet accessible glimpse into a pivotal era of urban progress, offering insight into the foundations of today’s diverse workforce.