Charles Clinton Spaulding facts for kids
Charles Clinton Spaulding (born August 1, 1874 – died August 1, 1952) was an important American business leader. For nearly 30 years, he led the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. This company grew to become the largest business in America owned by African Americans. When he passed away, the company had over US$40 million in assets.
Biography
Charles Clinton Spaulding was born in Columbus County, North Carolina. His parents were Benjamin Mack Spaulding, Senior and Margaret Ann Virginia Moore.
He started his career working as a dishwasher. Later, he became the general manager of a grocery company. In 1898, John Merrick, who owned several barber shops, and Aaron M. Moore, a doctor, started an insurance company. It was first called North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association.
Merrick and Moore hired Spaulding in 1899. He quickly became the general manager. After Aaron Moore passed away in 1923, Spaulding took over as president of NC Mutual. He served in this role until 1952.
The company focused on "industrial insurance." This was mainly a type of burial insurance. The company hired salespeople whose main job was to collect small payments, often about 10 cents. These payments covered the insured person for the next week. If the person died while insured, the company quickly paid about $100. This money helped cover the cost of a proper funeral, which was very important in the black community at the time.
Spaulding died on his 78th birthday in Durham, North Carolina.
Leadership and Community Work
Spaulding was a strong leader in many groups. By 1920, he was a key figure in the National Negro Insurance Association and the National Negro Bankers Association.
In 1942, the New York Chamber of Commerce chose him as a member. This was a big honor because this group was mostly made up of white business leaders. He also served as a trustee for several universities. These included Howard University, Shaw University, and North Carolina College at Durham.
He was also active in politics and community efforts. In 1935, he helped create the Durham Committee on Negro Affairs. He was its first chairman. From 1930 to 1939, he was the national chairman of the Urban League's Emergency Advisory Council. In this role, he worked hard to make sure African Americans could get jobs from the New Deal programs. The New Deal was a series of government programs started during the Great Depression to help people find work.
Awards and Recognition
In 1926, Charles Spaulding received the Harmon Foundation Gold Medal. This award recognized his outstanding achievements in business. Several universities also honored him with special degrees. These included Shaw University, Tuskegee Institute, and Atlanta University. They gave him honorary Doctorates of Law.
On November 2, 2019, Spaulding was honored again in Durham, North Carolina. This was part of the Durham 150 Closing Ceremony. He was recognized along with John Merrick and Richard Fitzgerald. They were celebrated for their important contributions to Durham. These leaders helped build one of the strongest African American business communities in the country.
