Leonidas Berry’s Birthplace
Leonidas Berry was born in 1867 in the small town of New Market, Alabama. He was the son of a former slave and a white woman. His father had been freed from slavery after the Civil War and his mother was a free woman.
Early Life
Berry grew up in New Market and attended school there until he was sixteen years old. After that, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he worked as a laborer for several years before eventually becoming a successful businessman.
Career
Berry went on to become one of the most influential African-American businessmen of his time. He founded several businesses, including an insurance company, a real estate firm, and a bank. He also served as president of the National Negro Business League and was active in politics.