Photograph by
Unidentified
Subject of
Granville, Onie Burnett, American, 1916 - 1998
Bank of Finance, American, 1964 - 1981
Date
late 20th century
Medium
dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W: 3 9/16 × 4 7/8 in. (9 × 12.4 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 color photograph portrait of Onie B. Granville standing on a bridge in front of a waterfall. Wearing a light blue button down shirt and matching pants, he stands with his right hand on his hip and his left hand resting on a wooden railing next to him. He wears a flat cap and gazes directly at the viewer. There are rocks, trees, and a waterfall behind him. There are no marks or inscriptions, front or back.
Place collected
Los Angeles, California, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
chromogenic color prints
Topic
American West
Business
Finance
Men
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
2016.33.4
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5677ef0ca-a788-4fd6-858a-9496f6b20907

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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