Black Business Heritage: R.H. Boyd Publishing – 5 Generations of Legacy and Entrepreneurship

R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation (RHBPC) is a valuable part of the African American community. The organization continues to print, publish, and increase global distribution of Christian and Church items. This Black-Owned business ensures that their corporation remains committed to Christian education through an array of supplies, books, educational materials, and ministry aids. However this steadfastness is deeply rooted in the startup and history of the organization. 

R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation was founded in 1896. As a historic time period for the organization, record shows that: 

• RHBPC was founded by a freedman named Dick Gray who later changed his name to Richard Henry “R.H. Boyd”
• RHBPC was originally founded as the National Baptist Publishing Board (NBPB)

Founded by a African American male with much determination, R.H. Boyd is known for 6 key attributes and startups. 

• Organized the Lincoln District Baptist Association of Navasota and the Western Baptist State Convention along with others in 1875
• Organized the Texas Negro Baptist Church
• Served as a district missionary and became Educational Secretary of the Texas Negro Baptist Convention in 1879
• Worked tirelessly to organize churches and freedmen Baptists across Texas while serving as Pastor for Churches in Texas
• Founded the Citizens Savings Bank & Trust Company in 1904
• Founded the National Baptist Congress Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress, now known as the National Baptist Congress in 1906

Once R.H. Boyd served his due diligence, another great Boyd family member picked up exactly where he left off. Dr. Henry Allen Boyd is said to be…

• One of the most influential business leaders responsible for locating Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal College for Negroes, now known as Tennessee State University, in Nashville
• The second generation to lead the company
• A planner of operational procedures and is the reason why the R.H. Boyd organization continued to flourish

The layout and history of the company began to come together in the 1960s. Relocation, confirmation, and support was key during this time period. 

• R.H. Boyd gave support and was a leader of the national civil rights and social agenda and always gave strong recognition to the National Baptist Convention of America. 
• National Baptist Publishing Board (NBPB) relocated to current location on Centennial Blvd and reached its centennial anniversary 1996
• In 2000 NBPB became known as the present day R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation

Now R.H. Boyd continues to hold true to their history and has grown in ways that many could only imagine. R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation currently: 

•  Since 2012, R.H. Boy has been distributing eBooks worldwide through distributors such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and many others. 
• Items ranging from family books and music books to children’s books and vacation Bible School material can be found at https://shop.rhboyd.com/category/products.asp for online purchase. 
• R.H. Boyd provides an Endowment Fund to put resources back into the community and encourages churches, organizations, and deserving students to attain goals and standards for the betterment of the entire community.
•  Ms. LaDonna Boyd serves as the President/Chief Executive Officer of the holistic organization.

Many should be able to see the importance of R.H. Boyd and with their help we are able to tell our stories, make black voices be heard, and give power to words. As natural storytellers and Southern Belles who have attended the church setting we understand the power of text and thankful for the workings of the R.H. Boyd Publishing Company. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

1

Comments

comments