A.G. Gaston: rough road to riches: sheer determination carried this grandson of former slaves to the top of a financial empire worth millions.

As the civil rights movement swept through the South during the late 1950s, certain moments captured the bravery of those on the front lines. When Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama, for marching without a permit, march organizers knew his immediate release was crucial to keep the struggle alive. The call for help went out to Arthur George Gaston, the city's most prominent black entrepreneur, who posted the $5,000 bail for King's release.

Gaston's multimillion-dollar business empire thrived on anticipating the needs of the black community in Birmingham, a city that once stood as a symbol of the most pernicious racial oppression. Gaston's strong desire for economic independence carried him along a rough road to financial success. His sheer self-determination took him from coal miner to the head of a thriving conglomerate. In recognition of his success, in 1992--the year of his 100th birthday-BLACK ENTERPRISE named Gaston Entrepreneur of the Century.

For Gaston, business success enabled him to advance the same philosophy of racial equality as his hero, Booker T. Washington, whose name Gaston used for several of his businesses. Gaston launched Booker T. Washington Insurance Co. in 1932, a time when white insurance companies neglected the needs of black consumers. BTW Insurance eventually served as the cornerstone of a fortune worth more than $130 million and a business empire that included communications, real estate, and insurance.

With $56.2 million in assets. BTW Insurance secured a position among the top five companies on the 2005 BE INSURANCE COMPANIES list. But a true testament to Gaston's philosophy of wealth building was passing it on to future generations, even if it wasn't his progeny. In 1987, Gaston created an employee stock ownership program and sold all of BTW Insurance's stock, worth $34 million, to his employees for only $3.5 million.

In addition to BTW Insurance, Gaston expanded his business ventures when he and a group of investors started Citizens Federal Savings Bank--a thrift institution--after raising about $350,000 in 1957. The bank consistently remained on the BE BANKS list until it was acquired by Atlanta-based Citizens Trust in 2002. Gaston's enterprises also include BTW Business College, Smith & Gaston Funeral Directors Inc. Vulcan Realty & Investment Co. Inc., and BTW Broadcasting Service Inc.

The grandson of former slaves, Gaston was born in rural Alabama in 1892. Although born into poverty, he began exhibiting entrepreneurial skills as a child. Neighborhood children paid him in various commodities--usually buttons and pins--to ride the swing in his grandparents' yard. As a young adult, Gaston was drawn to Booker T. Washington, whose notions of economic self-determination appealed to his entrepreneurial aspirations.

But Gaston's legacy extends beyond his numerous financial achievements. As an activist, he helped finance Alabama's civil rights movement, demonstrating extraordinary courage by risking his relationships with white businessmen whose respect he had gained. When blacks in Tuskegee staged an economic boycott in 1957 to obtain voting rights, white banks hassled anyone who possessed unpaid mortgages or business loans. Gaston supported the boycott by vowing to advance mortgage money to protesters.

During the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Gaston continued to increase his business holdings. When he died in 1996, he was reported to be the wealthiest black man in America. Despite entering the business world at a time when the bitter legacy of slavery and overt racism prevailed, A.G. Gaston's leadership and business acumen paved the way for generations of black entrepreneurs.

35 YEARS BLACK ENTERPRISE

As part of our 35th anniversary salute. BLACK ENTERPRISE presents Ultimate Wealth Builders--a monthly series profiling entrepreneurs, financiers, and corporate chieftains. Through innovative thinking, these men and women have had an immeasurable impact on the wealth-building potential of black Americans. For profiles of all of our Ultimate Wealth Builders, go to www.bladrenterprise.com.