Oscar Micheaux, was born on January 2, 1884, in Metropolis, Illinois, USA. At the age of 17, he made his way to Chicago, where he landed a job as a porter for the American railway system. A coveted position for African Americans during that time.
In 1913 he published and marketed his first book “The Conquest: The Story of a Negro Pioneer”. Drawing from his personal experiences as a homesteader and the trials he faced, including the end of his marriage, Micheaux fearlessly shared his narrative with the world. He took to the streets going door to door to farmers and businessmen promoting and selling his books.
Micheaux's passion for storytelling transcended the written word. He established his own film and book publishing company, leveraging his entrepreneurial spirit to reshape the landscape of cinema. In 1919 he transformed his rewritten book, "The Homesteader," into a silent film—a monumental milestone as the first full-length movie entirely produced, written, and filmed by an African American.
One of the defining aspects of Micheaux's career was his unwavering desire for creative control. Driven by this ambition, he went on to produce over 40 films, each a powerful artistic platform shedding light on the harsh realities of racial injustice endured by black Americans. His movies boldly confronted topics such as lynching, job discrimination, and violence.
Through his films and writings, he challenged societal norms, unflinchingly addressing the struggles faced by black Americans, and laying the groundwork for future generations of African American artists and storytellers.
HELLA INSPIRED.
