Every February, communities across the United States celebrate Black History Month—a time to reflect on the achievements, struggles, and enduring spirit of Black Americans. When we honor history’s greatest trailblazers, our attention often goes to icons of civil rights and social justice. Yet, there is another essential dimension to Black history that is just as transformative: economic empowerment. Few figures embodied this principle better than Dr. A.G. Gaston, the legendary Birmingham entrepreneur who built an empire of businesses serving—and uplifting—the Black community in the face of Jim Crow oppression.
Decades later, Gaston’s influence lives on. Bob Dickerson, Executive Director of the Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC), stands among those who continue the vital work of helping Black-owned businesses thrive, having once worked under Gaston himself as a banker at Citizens Federal. By weaving Gaston’s ethic of service and autonomy into the BBRC’s modern mission, Dickerson carries the torch of economic progress that resonates powerfully during Black History Month.
1. Black History Month: A Celebration of Progress and Perseverance
Originally established as a weeklong observance by historian Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month has grown into a national commemoration of African American achievements in every field—from politics and arts to science, education, and entrepreneurship. This month is both a celebration of milestones and a reminder that the journey to full equality remains ongoing.
In the realm of business and economics, the legacy of African American entrepreneurs runs deep. From the hidden geniuses of the Reconstruction Era to contemporary innovators, Black entrepreneurs have continuously found ways to build, invest, and empower communities—often confronting systemic racism and limited access to capital. Dr. A.G. Gaston’s life story perfectly illustrates how persistence and vision can yield extraordinary breakthroughs that reshape entire cities.
2. Dr. A.G. Gaston: Building Wealth and Community in Jim Crow Birmingham
Born in 1892, A.G. Gaston overcame poverty and institutional barriers to become one of the most successful Black businessmen in American history. Operating under the restrictive racial segregation of the Jim Crow South, Gaston founded a series of ventures—
from insurance and funeral services to banking and real estate—that catered to the Black community when white-owned companies would not.
- Community-Centered Entrepreneurship: Gaston built businesses to address the unmet needs of Birmingham’s Black residents, viewing economic empowerment as both a business strategy and a social responsibility.
- Supporting Civil Rights: While he was not always front and center in the civil rights movement, Gaston’s behind-the-scenes financial support was integral. He provided bail money for arrested protesters and opened his hotel to movement strategists, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- A Concrete Path to Wealth Creation: By employing and serving Black citizens, his companies funneled money back into a community typically excluded from mainstream economics. Through his example, Gaston demonstrated that entrepreneurship could be a powerful catalyst for Black autonomy and collective advancement.
3. Citizens Federal: Where Bob Dickerson Learned from the Best
For Bob Dickerson, Dr. Gaston’s impact was not just historical; it was personal. Dickerson spent part of his early career at Citizens Federal, a bank Gaston founded to offer credit and financial services to Black customers who were systematically turned away by other institutions.
- Firsthand Lessons in Community Banking: As a banker, Dickerson witnessed exactly how equitable lending practices and sound financial guidance could transform someone’s life or propel a small enterprise.
- Mentorship in Action: Gaston was known to be an engaged leader, and Dickerson gleaned not just banking acumen but also the spirit of what it meant to foster economic self-determination. Whether assisting a local shop owner with a loan application or educating a family on savings plans, Dickerson came to see banking as a hands-on tool for community empowerment.
- Inspiration for Future Work: As Dickerson’s career advanced, he carried forward Gaston’s conviction that economic opportunity—particularly for marginalized populations—was a vital component of social progress.
4. The Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC): A Modern-Day Extension of Gaston’s Vision
In honor of the principles he absorbed at Citizens Federal, Bob Dickerson now leads the Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC). Much like Gaston’s institutions, the BBRC (visit mybbrc.biz) focuses on bridging the gap for underserved entrepreneurs, especially Black-owned businesses in the Birmingham area and beyond.
4.1 Facilitating Access to Capital
The BBRC partners with various lenders, from traditional banks to microloan providers, to ensure that promising entrepreneurs can secure the funding they need. This approach carries on Gaston’s legacy of eliminating the disparities that often keep Black business owners from expanding or even launching in the first place.
4.2 Offering Business Education and Technical Assistance
Knowledge is power. By offering workshops, seminars, and hands-on coaching, the BBRC ensures entrepreneurs develop core skills—marketing, financial literacy, strategic planning—that can sustain their ventures. This training serves to empower new business owners much in the same way Gaston’s companies offered guidance to their clientele.
4.3 Cultivating Mentorship and Networking
Drawing on the mentorship model he experienced under Gaston, Dickerson fosters robust mentoring relationships within the BBRC’s ecosystem. Seasoned professionals meet with novices, share best practices, and create opportunities for collaboration. This reinforces a collective mindset that extends well beyond commercial transactions, echoing Gaston’s belief in shared responsibility for community uplift.
5. Why Gaston’s and Dickerson’s Work Resonates During Black History Month
5.1 Honoring Generations of Resilience
Black History Month is a time to honor the creativity, innovation, and persistence of African Americans in forging new paths—often in the face of daunting challenges. Gaston’s success story during Jim Crow Birmingham, and Dickerson’s continuation of that mission, exemplify how resilience and ingenuity can spark community-wide transformation.
5.2 Linking Past, Present, and Future
Dr. Gaston’s legacy is not confined to the past. Through Bob Dickerson and the BBRC, his principles of community-centered entrepreneurship remain vibrantly alive. This connection
between yesterday’s leadership and today’s initiatives underscores one of Black History Month’s core themes: progress is a continuum, achieved when each generation builds on the legacy of the last.
5.3 Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
What better way to honor Black History Month than by showing future innovators that success is attainable on their own terms? By spotlighting Gaston’s achievements and Dickerson’s present-day efforts, young people can see that economic empowerment isn’t just a historical footnote—it’s a living, breathing opportunity waiting to be seized.
6. The Ongoing Torch: Continuing to Light the Path Forward
Throughout February—and indeed, all year round—recognizing the accomplishments of trailblazers like Dr. A.G. Gaston means embracing the responsibilities they left for us. His mentorship and financial innovations laid the groundwork for modern leaders like Bob Dickerson to keep building.
Black History Month serves as a moment to celebrate not only civil rights milestones but also the entrepreneurial spirit that fueled those milestones. Through the Birmingham Business Resource Center, Dickerson continues to translate Gaston’s ethos into real-world strategies—ensuring that Black-owned businesses can flourish, wealth can circulate within communities, and a new generation can dare to dream.
In looking back at Gaston’s towering legacy, and forward at the BBRC’s transformative work, one message remains clear: empowering Black businesses is as essential today as it was in Gaston’s time. By harnessing tools that range from credit access to mentorship, Bob Dickerson honors his mentor’s memory, channeling that timeless vision into the present—proving that Black History Month is not just about celebrating the past, but shaping the future.
