C. C. Dejoie facts for kids

Constant "C. C." Dejoie Sr. (1881-1970) was an important businessman and entrepreneur from New Orleans, Louisiana. An entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs their own business. He was African-American and helped create The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.

About C. C. Dejoie

Early Life and Education

Constant C. Dejoie Sr. was born on November 11, 1881, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His parents were Aristede Dejoie and Ellen Dejoie. His family had Creole heritage.

Dejoie went to public schools in New Orleans. He then attended Southern University, finishing his studies in 1898. After school, he worked in different jobs around New Orleans.

Leading an Insurance Company

Later, Dejoie joined the Unity Industrial Life Insurance Company. His father had started this company. Dejoie worked as the business manager for this small company.

In 1921, Dejoie became the president of Unity Life. He helped the company grow very quickly. He opened new offices all over Louisiana. He also started a smaller company in Chicago, which was a fast-growing city at the time.

The company faced tough times during the Great Depression. This was a period when many people lost their jobs and money. Dejoie helped Unity Life survive by focusing on certain types of insurance. Unity Life also gave money to help others. They made donations to Flint-Goodridge Hospital and the YMCA.

Founding The Louisiana Weekly

In 1925, Dejoie started The Louisiana Weekly newspaper. He founded it with O.C.W. Taylor, who was a public school teacher. They wanted the newspaper to be a voice for the African-American community. This was very important during the time of Jim Crow laws in the South. Jim Crow laws were unfair rules that kept Black people separate and unequal.

Dejoie and Taylor put $2000 of their own money to start the newspaper. Their first office was in the Pythian Temple Building. The first newspaper was published on September 19, 1925. It was first called The New Orleans Herald. But less than a month later, it was renamed The Louisiana Weekly.

Taylor left the newspaper after one year. Dejoie then managed the newspaper by himself. In the early years, Dejoie used his business friends to help sell the newspaper. They also helped gather information for the articles.

Constant C. Dejoie Sr. passed away in 1970.

Family and Legacy

Dejoie married Vivian Baxter in 1914. They had three children together: Constant Charles Jr., Vivian, and Henry Baxter. Dejoie's family continued his work. His descendants, like Renette Dejoie-Hall, worked for The Louisiana Weekly for many years.