Today in Small Business History – April 21st

🕰️ April 21: First African-American-owned bank chartered, IBM launches electric typewriter, first Starbucks opens in Chicago, Google introduces mobile-first indexing, and Ford reveals all-electric F-150 Lightning.

1. First African-American-Owned Bank Chartered – True Reformers Bank (1888)

On April 21, 1888, the True Reformers Bank in Richmond, Virginia, became the first African-American-owned bank to receive a charter in the U.S. It offered a secure place for Black citizens to save and invest, fostering economic independence during Reconstruction.

✅ Why It Matters:
The bank’s creation marked a pivotal moment in Black entrepreneurship and community empowerment, reminding today’s small businesses of the importance of financial inclusion and access to capital.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: True Reformers Bank was chartered on April 21, 1888, and opened officially in 1889.
📚 Source: National Museum of African American History & Culture

2. IBM Launches the Selectric Typewriter (1961)

On April 21, 1961, IBM introduced the Selectric typewriter, a breakthrough device that replaced traditional typebars with a rotating “golf ball” type element. This innovation improved speed and accuracy and eventually led to early word processors.

✅ Why It Matters:
The Selectric changed office productivity standards and paved the way for small businesses to streamline clerical operations, foreshadowing today’s digital tools.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: IBM released the Selectric typewriter on April 21, 1961, revolutionizing typing and document creation.
📚 Source: IBM Archives

3. First Starbucks Opens in Chicago (1987)

On April 21, 1987, Starbucks opened its first store outside Seattle, in Chicago. This expansion marked the company’s first step into national growth and tested whether its coffeehouse model could scale across the U.S.

✅ Why It Matters:
Starbucks’ Chicago opening showed how testing new markets is critical for growth. Small businesses can take inspiration from this early leap to scale wisely and culturally adapt.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Starbucks opened its first Chicago location on April 21, 1987, beginning its national expansion.
📚 Source: Starbucks Corporate History

4. Google Rolls Out Mobile-First Indexing (2018)

On April 21, 2018, Google officially rolled out mobile-first indexing, meaning its algorithms prioritized mobile versions of websites in search rankings. The move reflected global shifts in mobile internet usage and forced businesses to adapt their web strategies.

✅ Why It Matters:
Mobile-first indexing changed digital marketing forever, emphasizing responsive design and mobile optimization as necessities for online visibility and sales.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Google began mobile-first indexing on April 21, 2018, impacting SEO for businesses worldwide.
📚 Source: Google Webmaster Central Blog

5. Ford Unveils the All-Electric F-150 Lightning (2021)

On April 21, 2021, Ford revealed the F-150 Lightning, an all-electric version of America’s best-selling pickup. Designed for consumers and commercial fleets, the truck featured innovative power systems and massive torque without emissions.

✅ Why It Matters:
Ford’s Lightning launch showed how legacy brands can innovate for sustainability, proving that small businesses in traditional industries can also lead the charge into cleaner futures.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Ford revealed the F-150 Lightning on April 21, 2021, signaling a new era in electric utility vehicles.
📚 Source: Ford Motor Company Newsroom

📚 What This Means for Business:

April 21st reflects how innovation, inclusion, and adaptation shape business resilience. From the first Black-owned bank to electric trucks and mobile-first websites, these moments illustrate how small businesses thrive by embracing equity, technology, and expansion.

✍️ Written by:
Dr. Ethan Fairbanks, M.B.H. (Master of Business History)

🎯 Tags: #Small Business History #Financial Inclusion #IBM Selectric #Starbucks Expansion #Google Mobile First #F150 Lightning #Business Milestones