Black entrepreneurs in Durham found North Carolina Mutual Life, which becomes the largest Black-owned business in America.
At a Glance
- Date
- 20 October 1898
- Location
- Durham, North Carolina
- Key people
- John Merrick, Aaron McDuffie Moore
- Category
- Business & Economy
- Source
- Company records (1898) · Smithsonian NMAAHC
What It Meant Then
It anchored the prosperity of Durham's 'Black Wall Street.'
What It Means Now
The company stands as a landmark of Black economic self-reliance.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Is Founded.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/north-carolina-mutual-life-insurance-is-founded/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Is Founded. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/north-carolina-mutual-life-insurance-is-founded/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Is Founded.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/north-carolina-mutual-life-insurance-is-founded/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.