Negro Industrial and Economic Union

Negro Industrial and Economic Union

The New York Times noted that in 1957, Jim Brown "was a founder of the Negro Industrial and Economic Union, a black capitalist organization. In the late 1980's he founded Amer-I-Can, an inspirational program for inner-city teenagers begun in Los Angeles that has since spread to other cities."

In 1968 the Negro Industrial and Economic Union received $520,000 from the Ford Foundation "for its program to stimulate investment of Negro capital in Negro-operated business and to provide technical assistance and loans to such enterprises. Organized in Cleveland in 1966 by black professional athletes, entertainers, and businessmen, the N.I.E.U. is using the grant to expand its consulting and organizing services on business formation and investment by individuals and such groups as churches and block associations."