Atlanta Life facts for kids
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Atlanta Life Insurance Company Building, Sweet Auburn Historic District
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| Predecessor | The Atlanta Benevolent and Protective Association |
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| Founded | 1922 as Atlanta Life, 1905 as Atlanta Mutual, |
| Founder | Alonzo Herndon |
The Atlanta Life Financial Group is a very important company with a long history. It was started by a remarkable person named Alonzo Herndon in Atlanta, Georgia. Alonzo Herndon was born into slavery. He began his career in Atlanta as a barber. He eventually owned three barber shops.
Herndon became the richest African American in Atlanta. He was a very successful businessman. For many years, his life insurance company was one of the most important African-American businesses in the United States. A housing project called Herndon Homes was named after him.
In 1905, Herndon bought a small group called The Atlanta Benevolent and Protective Association. He paid $140 for it. He also put $5,000 aside as a guarantee fund. In 1922, this group became the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Herndon helped the company grow. It opened offices in many other Southern states.
The Atlanta Life Insurance Company building was built in 1920. It is located at 148 Auburn Avenue. This building is now part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
The Story of Atlanta Life
How It All Began
The Atlanta Life Insurance Company was founded in 1905. Its founder was Alonzo Franklin Herndon. He was born into slavery. Herndon bought a small self-help group. This group was called the Atlanta Benevolent and Protective Association. Reverend Peter Bryant had started it the year before.
Herndon then combined his investments. He created the Atlanta Mutual Insurance Association. He also added two other companies. These were the Royal Mutual Insurance Company and the National Laborer's Protective Union. This helped the company become stronger.
Important Leaders Over Time
In 2008, William A. Clement, Jr. became the President and CEO. He led the Atlanta Life Financial Group for three years. He had also been a director for the company before.
Later, in 2014, new leaders were chosen. Roosevelt Giles was appointed as Chairman. William J. Stanley III became the Vice Chairman. These leaders continue to guide the company.
