Black Capitalists

A Blueprint for What Is Possible

By: Rachel Laryea PhD

Narrated by: Rachel Laryea PhD

A groundbreaking look at how Black visionaries—from Wall Street to Lagos and beyond—are reimagining capitalism to benefit the needs of Black people and, ultimately, everyone.

“Black Capitalists is a dive into the history of how money is made and our attitudes about wealth. A must read.”—Vanessa Williams, singer, actress, author, producer, and former Miss America

To many, the term “Black Capitalists” is oxymoronic. Black people were the labor force that built the infrastructure of American capitalism through the violent enforcement of legalized slavery, so they cannot, and should not, aspire to be the beneficiaries of it. But Wall Street professional and Yale-educated anthropologist Dr. Rachel Laryea poses a provocative question: What if there was a way to thrive within capitalism without diminishing someone else’s life chances through exploitative practices? There is—and Black Capitalists are showing us how.

Told through Dr. Laryea's own compelling narrative—growing up the child of a single mother who immigrated to the United States from Ghana and rose to the Ivy League and on Wall Street—with original on-the-ground reporting and rigorous historical analysis, Black Capitalists challenges readers to reconsider who gets to be the beneficiary of capitalism and reckons with the responsibility that comes with using the tools of our imperfect economic system to advance social good.

Dr. Laryea reveals in detail how race profoundly shapes the way we participate in capitalism—and how understanding these differences can guide us toward a more inclusive and equitable future. From newly minted undergraduates who find themselves working twenty-hour days to prove their worth on Wall Street to Nigerian startup founders working to build global credit scores, spanning the streets of Accra to the boardrooms of Goldman Sachs, Black Capitalists’ stories and analysis of innovators who are as ambitious as they are altruistic demonstrate the resilience, creativity, and ingenuity of Black people who have long been excluded from the full benefits of the American economic system. At its core, Black Capitalists shows a more productive, and more inclusive, way forward.

Excellent analysis brought to life with stories

Loved this deep dive into an uncommon subject. While the delivery is a bit monotone, the book is a fresh and relevant take on Black economic thriving.

"I'm not poor. I just don't have money right now."

Please excuse me. This may not be the exact quote from the book, but it left me captivated, and then again dumbfounded at the tenacity and eventual success of its speaker! Black Capitalism was a fantastic look at the topic. The connection to OJ Simpson was very interesting. I never expected to find his name in this book. All the different individuals and examples Dr. Laryea presented held an important lesson for my personal growth. They have certainly informed my perspective in working with my students. Their financial potential should be at the forefront of my every interaction with them! Black capitalists can shock the world! I want them to know that. This book will help them! Thank you, Dr. Laryea, for inviting my brain to go on this journey.

I really enjoyed this book

I thought the author did a excellent job of giving different point of views on being a person with melanin and capitalism in the US. It’s something I have struggled with and this book gave me some perspective on how to navigate in the future. The author personal experiences and stories made this book very relatable to me. Thank you 🙏🏽

Inspirational, a great listen.

Provides vision for could be in black America, as opposed to what we
Often let be!

Horrible

Horrible - Spoil brat’s don’t deserve to have the life she has! Precludes her education and the amazing care she takes from granted