Afro-American Life Insurance Company

The Afro-American Life Insurance Company was an historic Jacksonville, Fla., business founded in 1901 by Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Rev. E.J. Gregg, Rev. J. Milton Waldron and others. During the early twentieth century, it served as the leading financial center of the African American community in Jacksonville, which was reflected in the name change in 1918 to the Afro-American Industrial Insurance Company. The Company routinely sponsored charitable and educational activities. With competition from other insurance companies in the mid-1900s, it began a gradual decline and closed in 1990.

From the description of Afro-American Life Insurance Company collection, 1951-1965. (University of North Florida, Carpenter Library). WorldCat record id: 226389027

The Afro-American Life Insurance Company was an historic Jacksonville, Florida, business founded in 1901 by Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Rev. E. J. Gregg, Rev. J. Milton Waldron, and others. Initially called the Afro-American Industrial and Benefit Association, the new business was granted a charter by the State of Florida on March 1, 1901. During the early twentieth century, it served as the leading financial center of the African American community in Jacksonville, which was reflected in the Company's name change in 1918 to the Afro-American Industrial Insurance Company. Later re-named the Afro-American Life Insurance Company, it became part of the rich cultural fabric of African American life in Jacksonville and routinely sponsored charitable and educational activities. With strong competition from other insurance companies in the mid-1900's, it began a gradual decline and closed in 1990.

From the guide to the Afro-American Life Insurance Company Collection, 1951-1965, (Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida)