August is National Black Business Month, and to celebrate, the ACHP is highlighting the Walker Building in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Walker Building was designed as the headquarters of the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company, founded by Madam C.J. Walker, who is celebrated as one of the first female self-made millionaires in the United States.

Walker was born Sarah Breedlove in Louisiana in December 1867. According to the National Park Service website, Walker built her company manufacturing and selling hair care and cosmetic products and employed approximately 3,000 African American women to manufacture and sell her products. Walker apparently chose Indianapolis as the site of her company’s headquarters in 1910 after visiting the city and seeing its advantage as a manufacturing center. In particular, the city’s access to eight major railway systems made it an obvious choice for her mail-order business.

The Walker Building, which is located on Indiana Avenue, was designed by Walker but not constructed until after her death in 1919. The building’s National Historic Landmark nomination notes its Art Deco style brick exterior adorned with terra cotta designs inspired by African motifs. Walker intended the building to serve as both her company’s headquarters and a cultural center for the community. Today, the building continues to serve the community as the Madame Walker Theater Center and is a designated National Historic Landmark. Click here for more information on Madam C.J. Walker and the Walker Building.

This is the 15th annual Black Business Month, founded in 2004 by John William Templeton, executive editor of blackmoney.com and Frederick E. Jordan, P.E., civil engineer and president of the San Francisco African-American Chamber of Commerce. During this month, people are encouraged to visit black-owned businesses.