First African American to build, own and operate course in the United States.
He was the first African-American to build, own and operate a golf course (the Clearview Golf Club) in the United States.
His daughter Renee Powell later became only the second black player to compete on the LPGA Tour.
In August 2009, Powell received the PGA Distinguished Service Award, the association's highest annual honor. In November 2009, he was inducted into the Northern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame.
The grandson of Alabama slaves, Powell created Clearview Golf Club in Ohio in 1948 after returning home from World War II. In doing so, he became the first African-American to build, own and operate a golf course.