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T.M. Alexander, Sr. papers

 Collection
Identifier: aarl94-011

Scope and Content Note

The collection, spanning from 1956 to 1994, consists of works in print, written by and about T. M. Alexander, Sr., an audiocassette, photographs, plaques, posters, and correspondence covering his professional, political, civil rights, and community involvement. Of special note are the unpublished manuscript, The Montgomery Boycott: The King and I, an account of T.M. Alexander, Sr.'s role in the civil rights movement in Montgomery and Atlanta, and insurance policies granted to Montgomery churches between 1956 and 1957. The collection also touches on Alexander's bid for 7th Ward Alderman in 1957 and contains posters related to his alma mater, Morehouse College. Included are a 1961 recording, History of the Black Man and photographs and correspondence from George Bush, Gerald Ford, and Lyndon Johnson.

Dates

  • 1956-1994

Creator

Restrictions on Use

There are no restrictions on research use of this collection.

Copyright Restrictions

Prior permission from the Research Library must be obtained in writing before any portion of this collection can be published or reproduced.

Historical Sketch

Theodore Martin Alexander, Sr., was born March 7, 1909, in Montgomery, Alabama, the third child of James and Hattie Alexander. He attended high school at Morehouse Academy in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from Morehouse College with honors in 1931, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He was honored by Morehouse College with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1970.

Mr. Alexander has been a leader in the Atlanta insurance industry and community activities for more than 50 years. In addition to founding his own insurance agency in 1931, he established the Southeastern Fidelity Fire and Casualty Company in 1951 and served as Executive Vice President and Managing Officer until the company was prematurely sold in 1967. Southeastern Fidelity Company provided more than $50,000,000 of property protection for its client groups, and was the first Black-owned multi-line insurance company.

Recognizing the absence of Black representation in electoral politics in both the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia for more than 90 years, Mr. Alexander embarked upon an ambitious effort and ran for the office of City Alderman in 1957 and for the State Senate in 1961. Although unsuccessful in each of these bids, his actions provided the motivation for other Blacks to become involved in seeking election of public office, thus paving the foundation for not only the first elected Mayor of the City of Atlanta, but also for numerous other elected positions throughout the South.

In addition to serving as the President of his insurance agency, T.M. Alexander & Company, Inc., with major offices in Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, D.C., Mr. Alexander has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Insurance at Howard University, Washington, D.C. Over the years, he has remained a pillar of the community and has assisted numerous other Blacks in gaining responsible positions in both the private and public sectors.

Mr. Alexander has been an active participant in many professional and other organizations. Included are:

  1. Original partner in MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) Insurance Managers; helped design insurance program in 1975.
  2. Listed in Who's Who in America.
  3. Secretary and Member of Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia.
  4. Member of Executive Committee and Board of Atlanta University Center Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia.
  5. Former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Butler Street YMCA, Atlanta, Ga. (15 years), and member of the Executive Committee.
  6. Former Vice Chairman of the City of Atlanta Ethics Committee.
  7. Former Chairman of Citizens Advisory Committee of Urban Renewal and Development, Atlanta, Ga.
  8. Former member of Executive Committee and Assistant Treasurer of the Atlanta Community Chest (3 years)
  9. Charter Member and former Chairman of the Board of Senior Citizens of Metropolitan Atlanta.
  10. Former member of Community Relations Commission of Atlanta
  11. Member of Sigma Pi Phi National Fraternity, professional men distinguished in their professions.
  12. Member of Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
  13. Member of Atlanta Association of Independent Insurance Agents.
  14. Former Member of the Board, Secretary-Treasurer and Loan Officer of Mutual Federal Savings and Loan Association.
  15. Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
  16. Charter Member of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
  17. Member of the Board of Directors of Boys' Clubs of Greater Washington.
  18. Member of the Council of 100 Black Republicans.
  19. Member of the Board of Directors of the African Development Foundation (Senate-confirmed Presidential appointment).
  20. Member of the Republican National Committee.
  21. Member of the President's Club and Club of 100.
  22. Member of the Republican Inner Circle Senatorial Committee.
  23. Lifetime Republican and personal friend and supporter of former President George Bush and Jack Kemp, former Secretary of H.U.D.

Mr. Alexander is married to Dr. Lenora Cole-Alexander, former director of the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor who is presently President of LCA and Associates, Inc., and Commonwealth Professor of Public Affairs at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Their three children are Theodore Martin, Jr. (deceased), Alvia Elizabeth, and Dorothy Gwendolyn. They maintain residences at 3020 Brandywine Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008 and 215 Piedmont Avenue, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308.

Extent

2.5 Linear feet

Language

English

Overview

The collection, spanning from 1956 to 1994, consists of works in print, written by and about T. M. Alexander, Sr., an audiocassette, photographs, plaques, posters, and correspondence covering his professional, political, civil rights, and community involvement. Of special note are the unpublished manuscript, The Montgomery Boycott: The King and I, an account of T.M. Alexander, Sr.'s role in the civil rights movement in Montgomery and Atlanta, and insurance policies granted to Montgomery churches between 1956 and 1957. The collection also touches on Alexander's bid for 7th Ward Alderman in 1957 and contains posters related to his alma mater, Morehouse College. Included are a 1961 recording, History of the Black Man and photographs and correspondence from George Bush, Gerald Ford, and Lyndon Johnson.

Arrangement of Collection

Arranged by type.

Title
Inventory of the T.M. Alexander, Sr. Papers aarl94-011 aarl94-011
Author
Finding aid prepared by Finding aid prepared by Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History
Date
2004 September 15
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History Repository

Contact:
101 Auburn Avenue NE
Atlanta GA 30303
404-613-4032