Arthur George Gaston was a man of many feats. He was a businessman, philanthropist, and civil rights supporter.
Arthur began his life in Demopolis, Alabama as the grandson of former slaves. He overcame humble beginnings and racial discrimination to become one of the most successful African American business owners in Alabama. Gaston always had a desire for business at an early age. After working multiple odd jobs, he partnered with his father-in-law, creating the Booker T. Washington Insurance Company and the Smith and Gaston Funeral Home. After developing these two businesses, Gatson formed Booker T. Washington Business College, A.G. Gaston Motel, Citizens Federal Savings and Loan, A.G. Gaston Building, A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club, Booker T. Washington Broadcasting Company and A.G. Gaston Construction Company. Regardless of his circumstances, he lived by a distinct set of values that set him apart from others. Gaston's keys to success were courtesy, dependability, hard work, honesty, and thrift virtues.
He was also an avid supporter of civil rights and gave financial aid to the civil rights movement. Towards the end of his life, he focused on the people who mattered most to him, his employees, and created an employee stock option and sold his insurance company to his employees for a fraction of its value. A.G. Gaston will be remembered for years for serving others and his community.
Want to learn more about the A.G. Gaston and the impact he had on Birmingham
click on the links below:
-A.G. Gaston Conference today: AGGC
-Additional accolades: He was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor, the Birmingham Hall of Fame and was designated as Black Enterprise Magazine’s “Entrepreneur of the Century.”
-Youtube Links: Book review and Smithsonian channel
Other Posts: If you liked learning about an entrepreneur who cares about his employees you'll love this blog on finding the right employer!
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