The Negro in Business in Philadelphia - An Investigation #233047

A summary review Of this study shows a very large number Of businesses Of small size. The small size of the busi nesses and the lack of efficiency frequently found mav be due to one or to several Of the following causes: Inexperience, lack Of training, lack Of ability, difficulty in securing capital. The Negro who wishes to enter business is usually inexperi enced and untrained and has practically no Opportunity Of apprenticeship in the stores or Offices of white business men. There are very few Negro business men to apprentice him. It is true also that no business courses are available for them in the schools; but even if such courses were Offered they would, although Of much assistance, be Of small value in comparison with the apprenticeships available to white boys and girls and young men and women. It is not to be wondered at, there fore, that the number Of Negroes in business is small and that they show lack Of training; neither is it to be wondered at that in spite Of the superior character Of the schools Of ourcity such a small proportion Of the businesses conducted here by colored people are conducted by Philadelphians. Business Opportunities for Mgroes in the South are in many lines as good or better than in Philadelphia and in the building trades they are much better.