The Alonzo Herndon Award
An annual award named after an extraordinary entrepreneur, the founder of Atlantic Life
The Alonzo Herndon Award is named in honor of a businessman, who more than 100 years ago, founded what would become the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the United States’ largest and most successful black-owned businesses.
Mr. Herndon was born into slavery in 1858 and worked as a laborer from a young age. With almost no schooling and no money, his perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit drove him to great success, opening service businesses in Atlanta that were joined to form a landmark company. Today, the Alonzo Herndon Foundation honors his legacy and supports programs and policies in keeping with his vision.
In honor of Juneteenth, Business Insurance has launched the inaugural award nominations, which recognizes an individual who exemplifies Mr. Herndon’s courage, leadership and extraordinary good will toward others, bolstering their progress and success.
AWARD RECIPIENTS
