"Resilience and Independence: The Story of Mattie Adams and Atlanta’s Early 20th-Century Black Business Community"

This study examines the survival and resilience of Black-owned businesses in early 20th-century Atlanta through the story of Mattie Adams, one of only three women among the 116 Black businesses that remained active out of the 415 originally listed in the city directory in 1904. Despite being born into slavery and lacking literacy, Adams operated a lunchroom on Peters Street from 1902 to 1912, illustrating the essential role of small Black enterprises in the local economy. Her ability to open and sustain her business was rooted in real estate ownership, which provided crucial financial stability. Even after enduring violence during the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre, Adams chose to remain in her mixed-race neighborhood, maintaining her business and personal resilience. She further leveraged access to the legal system, securing her home and seeking justice for the damages inflicted. Unlike the highly visible success of figures like Madame C.J. Walker, Adams's story represents a more common experience: a Black woman carving out independence and autonomy through entrepreneurship amidst adversity. Her journey offers valuable insights into the Black business community’s strategies for survival and resilience in a segregated and hostile social landscape.