Afro-American Life Insurance Company
{{Infobox company
| name = Afro-American Life Insurance Company
| industry = Life insurance
| founded = 1901
| founder = Abraham Lincoln Lewis
| defunct = 1990
| hq_location = Jacksonville, Florida
}}
The Afro-American Life Insurance Company was a historic business based in Jacksonville, Florida. It was founded in 1901 by Abraham Lincoln Lewis and his business associates.{{Cite web|url=https://www.unf.edu/library/specialcollections/manuscripts/collections/Afro-American_Life_Insurance_Company.aspx|title=UNF - Thomas G. Carpenter Library - Afro-American Life Insurance Company|website=www.unf.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-11-21}} The company specialized in helping Black Americans obtain life insurance and mortgages.{{cite news |title=J.A. Batts Heads Afro Ins. Co. in Ala. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57893057/alabama-tribune/ |accessdate=23 August 2020 |work=Alabama Tribune |date=May 6, 1949}}
Background
Up until the creation of this insurance company, black Americans found it difficult to purchase life insurance, which was unaffordable to most blacks at the time. The insurance company also served as a financial institution as well. The company is responsible for the creation of American Beach in Nassau County, Florida.{{cite news |last1=Santich |first1=Kate |title=The Spirit of American Beach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57893272/the-orlando-sentinel/ |accessdate=23 August 2020 |work=The Orlando Sentinel |date=April 17, 1994}}
With strong competition from other insurance companies in the mid-20th century, the Afro-American Life Insurance Company closed in 1990. {{Citation needed|date=December 2019}} The building located at 101 E. Union Street, which housed the company has been renovated and served as the offices for Congresswoman Corrine Brown and other businesses.
See also
References
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Category:Financial services companies established in 1901
Category:Financial services companies disestablished in 1990
Category:Buildings and structures in Jacksonville, Florida
Category:Insurance companies based in Florida
Category:Life insurance companies of the United States
Category:Companies based in Jacksonville, Florida
Category:Defunct companies based in Florida
Category:1901 establishments in Florida
Category:1990 disestablishments in Florida
Category:African-American history in Jacksonville, Florida
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