Warren C. Coleman (1849–1904) was an African American businessman and entrepreneur, best known for founding the first Black-owned and operated textile mill in the United States.
Key Achievements:
- Born in Concord, North Carolina, to an enslaved mother and a white father.
- Became a successful entrepreneur, owning multiple businesses, including real estate, retail, and manufacturing.
- In 1897, he established the Coleman Manufacturing Company, the first Black-owned cotton mill, with investments from African Americans across the U.S.
- His textile mill in Concord, NC, aimed to provide economic opportunities for Black workers, but it faced financial struggles and was later taken over by white investors.
Despite challenges, Coleman’s legacy represents Black economic empowerment and resilience during the post-Reconstruction era.