By Elijah Qualls
AFRO Intern
equalls@afro.com
Despite the many adversities they have encountered – or, perhaps, because of them – Black people have a long history of entrepreneurship, and their innovation has had lasting impacts on Black families, communities and the wider American culture and economy. Barred by racism and segregation from participation in the broader economy, Black entrepreneurs created businesses tailored to the needs of their communities, some lasting for more than a century.
Black funeral homes are among the list of those that have withstood the test of time, serving generations of Black families in their times of grief and during pivotal moments in history. The AFRO spoke with a couple of noted historically Black funeral homes to discuss their history, impact and advice for other Black businesses.
Raphael Watson is the office administrator and service director for Bynes-Royall Funeral Home in Savannah, Ga.
“We have employees who are non-family members, but we treat them as family members,” he said. “We are a close funeral home still serving in our community. We are family…serving families.”
Bynes-Royall Funeral Home was founded by Major William H. Royall in 1878. It is the oldest Black business in Savannah and the oldest continuously-owned Black funeral home in the state of Georgia. Watson also explained that the funeral home was a major service provider for Black families through the decades, including during the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement.
McGuire Funeral Service, located in Washington, D.C., is another family-owned and operated Black business. Robert G. McGuire founded the business in 1912 and the leadership operations have been passed down through generations. Now, John McGuire, the grandson, handles the business in the role of vice president. He spoke with AFRO alongside his wife, Lynne McGuire, who is president of the company, about how times have changed for the world of funeral services but also Black businesses.
“The story goes that back in those early days, when he first began, if someone died at home – and most people did back then – he would grab his embalming board, chemicals and instruments, and jump on the street car and go to where the person’s residence was to do the embalming in the house.”
McGuire explained how the implementation of the computer and internet allowed for faster communication. Commodification of the automobile established quicker commute times. Even something as simple as refrigeration helped, as it allowed for the embalming process to be delayed a few days because the body could be preserved longer.
The McGuire family said that one of the biggest changes has been in their target audiences, as Black businesses were significantly impacted by integration.
“A number of years ago, you would start a business and think that your primary customers would be an African-American community,” John McGuire said. “[Now,] our folks may not support Black enterprises like they used to years ago. Years ago, there were no other options. You couldn’t go over to Connecticut Avenue to shop.”
“If anyone is starting a business now, I would say if they want to really succeed, they have to do something in a field that is color blind,” said McGuire. “It has to be something that everybody wants to buy or use.”
Great Job Elijah Qualls & the Team @ AFRO American Newspapers Source link for sharing this story.
