Issued by
City of Los Angeles, American, founded 1835
Subject of
Granville, Onie Burnett, American, 1916 - 1998
Carey, J. Michael, American
Ridley-Thomas, Mark, American, born 1954
Ferraro, John, American, 1924 - 2001
Holden, Nate N., American, born 1929
Wachs, Joel, American, born 1939
Bank of Finance, American, 1964 - 1981
Date
September 9, 1998
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W (a): 11 × 8 1/2 in. (28 × 21.6 cm)
H x W (b (open)): 12 1/16 × 18 15/16 in. (30.6 × 48.1 cm)
H x W (b (closed)): 12 1/16 × 9 1/2 in. (30.6 × 24.1 cm)
Caption
In 1964, Onie B. Granville founded the Bank of Finance, the first African American-owned and operated state chartered bank west of Kansas City. Granville, a long time real estate broker in Los Angeles, formed the institution with other prominent African American community leaders in Los Angeles: Los Angeles City Councilman and later mayor Tom Bradley, real estate broker Lorenzo Spencer, businessman Wilton A. Clark, and physicians Dr. Perry Beal and Dr. Edward Ballard. In the face of discriminatory housing and financial practices, the Bank of Finance played an important role in financing Black homeownership and businesses in the Los Angeles area until it was purchased by another bank in 1984.
Description
A certificate of tribute issued by the Los Angeles City Council in memory of Onie B. Granville, in a black paper presentation folder. The certificate, printed in black ink on white paper, has the seal of the City of Los Angeles at top center and at bottom left. The text reads [IN TRIBUTE / THE LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL EXTENDS ITS / DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOU IN THE PASSING OF / YOUR LOVED ONE / ONIE B. GRANVILLE / IN WHOSE MEMORY / ALL MEMBERS STOOD IN TRIBUTE AND REVERENCE / AS THE COUNCIL ADJOURNED ITS MEETING OF / SEPTEMBER 29, 1998.]. It is signed by the city clerk and four city councilmembers: J. Michael Carey, City Clerk; Mark Ridley-Thomas, Councilmember; John Ferraro, Councilmember; Nate Holden, Councilmember; Joel Wachs, Councilmember.
Place made
Los Angeles, California, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
certificates
Topic
Activism
American West
Business
Finance
Government
Labor
Men
Urban life
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Natalie Finney Mallard in memory of her Uncle Onie Burnett Granville
Object number
2016.33.3ab
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd528354b32-4125-4ffb-bc29-36c3b19923f5

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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