"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : THE MONROE COLORED CHAMBER of COMMERCE

Well, as I was researching online, I came across information about a forgotten group of pioneering Colored People.What was so surprising about them is that they lived in Monroe, Louisiana! I learned that the group started with only 19 Colored members, consisting of laypersons, businessmen, and other professionals.Well,this amazing group of people would become what was officially known as,"The Monroe Colored Chamber of Commerce," which was later changed to The Twin-City Chamber of Commerce in 1963. The organization was officially founded in 1946, with pharmacist Dr. Raymond O. Pierce presiding as president.The main purpose of the organization was improving the general welfare of the Colored Communities in Monroe, Louisiana.The members of the group met once a month in the Pierce building, which was located at 917 Desiard Street in Monroe. After Dr. Raymond O. Pierce, there were other presidents of the Monroe Colored Chamber of Commerce. They were : Mr. Ibra January, a tailor by trade ; Mr. B.F. Robinson, an educator ; Mr. Abraham Bowie, an insurance agent ; Mr. Joseph Pendleton, a service station owner ; and Mr. Charles Edwards, Supervisor of Instruction for Monroe City Schools. Who would of believed that this small organization, known as The Monroe Colored Chamber of Commerce, would help inspire Colored Citizens to secure a library within their own community, the Carver Branch Library, for their children. Not only that, but inspired other Colored Citizens to have the courage to start their own businesses in Monroe. These are just some of the Black-Owned businesses that use to be in the city of Monroe: Hensley's Supermarket ; Moore's Grocery ; Carradine Grocery & Market ; Pelican Cafe & Bakery ; Slim Jenkins Barbeque & Ice Cream ; H.H.Bar-B-Que Meats ; Johnson's Beauty Salon ; La Henri-Anna Beauty Shoppe and School ; Ritz's Barbershop ; The Southern Advocate Weekly Newspaper ; Roosevelt's Paradise Inn ; January's Tailor Shop ; Julius & Sons Tailor Shop ; Martin's Cleaners ; Houston's Bootery & Shoes ; B.B. & O. Printing ; A & A Print Shop ; Wright's Taxi Service ; Flintroy's Cycle Shop ; Sudden Service Garage ; Oliver Smith's Auto Repair ; Joseph Pendleton's Service Station ; and Long's Skelly Service Station. Furthermore, there were at least 3 Colored-Owned Insurance companies in Monroe : Keystone Life Insurance Company ; People's Industrial Life Insurance Company ; and Louisiana Industrial Life Insurance Company. Along with all of the above, there were Colored doctors such as Dr. John T. Miller, Dr J.C. Roy, Dr. Raymond O. Pierce, Dr. Arnetta Pierce, Dr. S.D.Hill, Dr. Madison W Foster, Dr. J.B.Thomoson, and Dr. John I. Reddix. In closing, I would like to say to the Black Citizens of Monroe, Louisiana, Please teach your Black children about the history of our Black ancestors who lived in Monroe during and after the American Civil War!