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According to the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), only 1% of CPAs in the United States identify as black or African American. This number has improved little over the century since America saw its first black CPA, whereas the percentage of Asian and Hispanic CPAs has managed to grow somewhat to 12% and 7%. Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the lack of diversity is how the number of black accountants drops further at each level. According to the 2017 AICPA demographic report, there were 9% of students enrolled in accounting programs, 4% of new hires in firms, and—as mentioned—the...

John W. Cromwell, Jr. became the first black CPA in America in 1921; however, it wasn’t until over three decades later that Maryland would see its first black CPA: Benjamin L. King. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., King graduated from Dunbar High School and went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Virginia State College in 1949. Soon after, he served during the Korean War in the Army Audit Agency until 1952. After returning home, he continued his education by taking graduate accounting classes at American University. Doing so opened the possibility to sit for the CPA...