[1] He arrived in Regina in 1903 and became a contractor and real estate speculator, benefiting from the fledgling city's construction boom.

[1] At first in partnership with Archibald McGregor, and then independently, he built department stores, schools, farmer markets and apartment blocks.

[3] In 1917 with a group of local investors, Black established the Prairie Biscuit and Confectionery Company, a wholesale baking enterprise, but the business couldn't withstand the sugar shortage imposed by the First World War and it ceased operations before the end of 1918.

During Black's first term as mayor, Saskatchewan was stricken by the influenza pandemic, and he had to ban all public gatherings in the city including church services.

[1] In recognition of his voluntary work with the Relief Commission, he was made in 1935 a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by King George V.[2] In 1937, at the age of 63, he once again ran for mayor of Regina, but was defeated.