Alonzo Herndon achieved remarkable success rising from slavery to become an esteemed business leader and Atlanta’s wealthiest African-American citizen during the early 20th century.
Overcoming incredible hardships, Herndon leveraged his entrepreneurial talents to build and invest wisely, accumulating over $300,000 in wealth by his 1927 passing.
Enduring Slavery and Sharecropping
Born into slavery on a Georgia farm in 1858, Herndon endured destitution and illiteracy even after emancipation.
As a child, he worked manual jobs to support his formerly enslaved family, who subsisted through oppressive sharecropping arrangements resembling slavery.
Barbershop Business Takes Off
Displaying determination from youth, Herndon saved money and taught himself barbering before opening his first shop at 20. He cultivated a loyal clientele of white lawyers, politicians and businessmen.
By 1904, Herndon owned Atlanta’s largest barbershop staffed entirely by Black barbers serving an exclusive white male clientele.
Diversifying With Real Estate and Insurance
As Herndon profitably expanded his chain of barbershops, he channeled earnings into real estate. He amassed over 100 rental houses and valuable central Atlanta commercial buildings.
In 1905, Herndon acquired and transformed Atlanta Mutual Insurance Company into the prosperous Atlanta Life Insurance Company.
Generosity Within The Black Community
Despite personal success and enduring racism like most African Americans, he did a lot for the Black community.
He supported local Black institutions like the YMCA and historical Black colleges. He also aided struggling Black businesses whenever possible, displaying economic and social leadership.
The extraordinary rags-to-riches story of former slave Alonzo Herndon embodies the determined, entrepreneurial spirit in the face of adversity.
