Huntsville, Alabama, may be synonymous with rocket science and space exploration, but beyond its technological reputation lies a story of resilient African American entrepreneurs whose contributions to the city’s growth are as groundbreaking as the innovations that brought Huntsville into the global spotlight.
For decades, Huntsville’s Black business owners have not only shaped the city’s economy but have also demonstrated a remarkable ability to thrive across various industries, from construction and funeral services to technology, digital marketing, and nonprofit work. This thriving spirit of entrepreneurship is not an isolated phenomenon, but a direct result of the city’s unique environment—one that combines rich historical roots with a diverse, tech-savvy, and inclusive business community.
The roots of Black entrepreneurship in Huntsville can be traced back to the late 19th century, with figures like Henderson Brandon, who overcame obstacles that are impossible to overstate—including purchasing his freedom from his white slave owner—before using his brick making and masonry skills to establish a construction firm in the early 1870s.
Established in the 1870s, Henderson Brandon & Son, led by Henderson and later his son Daniel Brandon, became a fixture in Huntsville’s business community. Their firm helped to build the city’s infrastructure, and their influence extended beyond business into political and social activism.
The Brandon family’s efforts to support Black entrepreneurship and promote voting rights were not without struggle, especially following the passage of Alabama’s racist 1901 constitution, which effectively disenfranchised Black voters. Nevertheless, the Brandon legacy continues to resonate, demonstrating the intersection of entrepreneurship and community empowerment.
Important stories, such as the one of Henderson Brandon and Son, are kept alive thanks to today’s Black business owners like William Hampton, founder of the Huntsville Revisited Museum.
“History matters,” Hampton says. “Our past is the foundation of our future. If we don’t preserve the stories of our ancestors and what they went through, they’ll be lost. The struggles they faced—people today need to know them. The lessons they teach us are timeless.”
Hampton’s belief in the power of history is reflected in his own commitment to sharing these stories, ensuring that the legacy of past leaders is passed on, while continuing to break new ground in his own right.
Today, Huntsville’s economic landscape is a dynamic blend of old and new, traditional industries and innovative technologies. What sets the city apart is the growing presence of Black-owned businesses across industries that many might not traditionally associate with the African American community.
In Huntsville, Black entrepreneurs are contributing not only to long-established sectors like construction, service, and funeral services but also thriving in fields such as tech, digital marketing, and nonprofit work—areas where the city’s burgeoning tech scene provides fertile ground for innovation and growth.
For Kim Lewis, co-founder and CEO of PROJECTXYZ, the city offers both opportunity and challenges for Black entrepreneurs. “Huntsville has grown so much over the years, and there’s no shortage of talent or ambition,” Lewis shared. “But what’s still needed is intentionality—intentional support for minority-owned businesses to ensure they’re truly part of the city’s growth story.”
Lewis founded PROJECTXYZ with her husband, Larry, in 2002. The company began as an IT solutions provider and has since grown into a multi-faceted firm specializing in engineering, healthcare, and defense contracting. Under her leadership, PROJECTXYZ has garnered national recognition, including the prestigious Small Business of the Year award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2017. But even with her success, Lewis remains deeply aware of the hurdles Black entrepreneurs face in Huntsville.
“Access to resources is a huge challenge,” she explained. “Whether it’s capital, mentorship, or networking opportunities, Black-owned businesses are often left out of the larger ecosystem. It’s not that we’re not qualified or capable—it’s that the playing field isn’t always level.”
Lewis believes the city’s rapid economic growth offers a unique chance to reshape the narrative. Huntsville has become a magnet for tech and defense industries, thanks to institutions like Redstone Arsenal and the burgeoning presence of NASA. This growth has created a demand for subcontractors, offering Black-owned businesses like PROJECTXYZ a foothold in industries that were previously less accessible.
“The industries that are growing here—technology, aerospace, defense—are incredibly competitive, but they’re also where we need to be as minority businesses,” Lewis said. “We’ve proven time and again that we can compete and excel when given the chance. Now it’s about ensuring more of us are at the table.”
While Huntsville is often seen as a more progressive city compared to other parts of Alabama, Lewis cautions against complacency. “Huntsville has the potential to be a leader in diversity and inclusion, but that requires deliberate action,” she said. “It’s not enough to just celebrate diversity in words—we need policies and practices that make a real difference.”
Lewis is not just a business leader; she’s also a mentor and advocate for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Through her work with organizations like the Women’s Business Council of North Alabama, she’s helping to create pathways for women and minority-owned businesses to thrive.
“When I started, there weren’t as many resources or mentors who looked like me,” she recalled. “Now, I make it a point to be that person for someone else. It’s about lifting as we climb.”
Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: “Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to chase your dreams. Start where you are, with what you have, and build from there.”
Lewis has such a way with words in that she can deliver a message that is short and simple yet powerful enough to have staying power. “The story of Black-owned businesses in Huntsville is still being written,” is a perfect example of this skill at work.
When considering how the story is still being written, Bobby Bradley and her work as co-founder of Village of Promise (along with Gloria Batts) stands out for impacting the lives of Huntsville’s future business owners and equipping the city’s underserved youth with the necessary tools for success and growth.
“That may mean helping them obtain their GED. It might mean helping them acquire a skill that will launch them into their own career,” Bradley explained. “We’ll meet them wherever they are as adults and then work with them to help them reach their dream using the gifts and skills that God has given them.”
Her nonprofit focuses on providing educational opportunities and mentorship for underserved youth in Huntsville. While Bradley’s work primarily revolves around creating social change, her organization’s success highlights a broader trend: Huntsville’s tech-centric environment has enabled her to use technology as a tool to amplify her mission.
“We’re in a tech-driven age, and there are so many opportunities for young people to get involved,” Bradley explains. “But it’s not just about technology—it’s about building relationships and giving people the tools they need to succeed.”
Bradley’s vision for the Village of Promise focuses on creating long-lasting change through mentorship and education. “We aim to help children understand that no matter where they start, their journey can lead to something incredible if they have the right support,” she says. Her organization pairs students with mentors who are not only successful professionals but also figures who share common experiences with the youth they guide.
Bradley’s experience in leading a nonprofit organization in a city that increasingly embraces technological innovation speaks to the broader opportunities available to Black business owners. Huntsville’s diverse, high-tech business environment offers a variety of pathways for entrepreneurs, regardless of industry. As more businesses adopt technology as a central part of their operations, Black entrepreneurs have the chance to leverage these tools to streamline processes, increase accessibility, and connect with customers in innovative ways.
Bradley also believes that the Village of Promise’s success reflects the growing presence of Black entrepreneurs in Huntsville’s technology-driven economy. “Technology can empower our youth and make it possible for them to stay competitive,” she adds. “Huntsville’s growth in tech provides more opportunities for people like me to make a difference and build businesses that will last for generations.”
There are already examples across the city that show Bradley’s words are right on track. Huntsville is seeing Black-owned businesses that have expanded their services into new areas thanks to the newest generation of ownership.
Royal Funeral Home, for example, is a century-old business that has expanded its reach through new offerings and modernized services. Founded in 1918 by Charles King Binford, Royal Funeral Home has evolved with the times, ensuring that families in the Tennessee Valley continue to receive respectful and compassionate service. The home’s current leadership, including Karen Jones Smith, the third-generation owner, recognizes the importance of community and tradition while embracing the benefits of modern technologies.
Huntsville’s unique mix of history and innovation provides fertile ground for Black entrepreneurs to continue thriving across a diverse array of industries. From technology and nonprofit work to digital marketing and established sectors like funeral services, Huntsville’s business landscape is proving that success is not confined to any one field. As the city grows into a prominent tech hub, it is also expanding its recognition as a place where entrepreneurs of all backgrounds can succeed.
As Huntsville’s tech scene continues to expand, the city’s legacy of Black entrepreneurship—shaped by pioneers like the Brandons and modern-day leaders like Bobby Bradley and Kim Lewis—will undoubtedly remain a driving force in the city’s future. With continued support, a commitment to mentorship, and a focus on community, Huntsville’s Black business owners will continue to build the future, thriving in industries ranging from technology to services, and leaving an indelible mark on the city’s economic landscape for years to come.