Utah’s Black History with James Jackson III

Did you know that the famous phrase “This is the place” came from a Utah settler who was here long before Brigham Young?

In James Jackson III’s presentation on Utah’s Black history, the founder of the Utah Black Chamber — who also works as Zions Bank’s Supplier Diversity Program Manager — highlighted some key components of the often overlooked Black history in Utah, specifically pertaining to Utah businesses.

While the majority of the focus on fighting Jim Crow laws and moving toward equality takes historians to the Southern and Eastern coasts of the United States, Jackson discussed how Black settlers established flourishing businesses in early Utah that helped the valley become the successful community it is today. Unfortunately, much of this history is underemphasized and overlooked.

Overlooked Black History in Utah

For example, it was Green Flake, a Black trapper and early Utah settler, who directed Brigham Young and other Utah pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley telling them “This is the place.” A key part of the pioneers’ success in their famous move across the country were the individuals like Green who scouted out areas and imparted their knowledge to the traveling bands that are better known for growing Utah into the state it is today.

Jackson expounded on the complexity of the relationships Black business owners — who later operated farmlands, hotels, and railroad companies — had with segregation laws. After establishing high-functioning and well-managed operations, the dissolving of segregatory laws across the country left many of these companies to be meshed with or out-competed by their white counterparts, who were given more funding and opportunities much earlier than the Black-owned businesses. This led large quantities of early Black families to leave the valley and find new places to live where they might find more diversity and opportunity.

Utah’s Black Community Today

Today, Jackson mentions that the Black community in Utah is strong and getting stronger. He led an in-depth discussion on the importance of a chamber, which is an organization that supports businesses operated by a specific category of individuals, and highlighted his newest book called Black Utah. The book, which highlights a number of successful Black business owners across the state, is the Utah Black Chamber’s most recent of many accomplishments to help put the spotlight on successful business owners who bring diverse perspectives to the state.

Another achievement of one of the newest chambers in the state of Utah is their partnership with Living Color, an organization that helps support and connect Utah’s diverse populations. This organization is a great way for students to get involved in diversity projects and build their resumes with the diversity training and volunteer experience that most competitive employers are looking for. Jackson says that volunteering and supporting diverse business owners is the best way to keep Utah — the fastest growing state in the country — diverse and unique.

Get Involved

Look out for opportunities to get involved with the Utah Black Chamber (looking for volunteers of all backgrounds) or with Living Color and the other chambers associated with diversity in Utah.