Why were some black people rich in 18 century?

In the 18th century, some Black individuals accumulated wealth through various means, including skilled labor, entrepreneurship, and land ownership. A notable example is free Black individuals in Northern cities who engaged in trades, owned businesses, or inherited property. Additionally, some were able to benefit from the abolition of slavery in certain regions, allowing them to capitalize on economic opportunities unavailable to enslaved people. Prominent figures like Paul Cuffee and others exemplified how, despite systemic racism, some Black individuals could achieve financial success.