Real Negro Players Beaming With Quaint Racial Happiness -- May 29, 2018

Moving Picture World, 04-May-1918

The Ebony Film Corporation was based in Chicago.  It was managed by whites, but had two black executives, the Pollard Brothers, Luther and Harry.  Luther directed and Harry served as a talent scout and agent.  The company tried to avoid obnoxious stereotypes, but picked up some older films from another company that didn't care and wound up ruining its reputation.