Lemuel L. Foster
Lemuel L. Foster | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lemuel Lewis Foster November 3, 1890 Meridian, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | June 20, 1981 (aged 90) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | L. L. Foster |
| Education | Tougaloo College, Fisk University |
| Occupations | Civil servant, business executive, race relations consultant, singer, deacon, teacher, community leader |
| Spouse | Netta Mae Mosely (1911–1975; her death) |
| Children | 3 |
Lemuel Lewis Foster Sr. (1890–1981) was an American civil servant, business executive, race relations consultant, singer, and deacon. He was African American and worked as an executive of R. H. Macy & Company (now Macy's), as well as work as a supervisor in the Division of Negro Economics at the United States Department of Labor.[1] He held many community leadership roles in the 20th century in Harlem, New York City.
Early life and education
Lemuel Lewis Foster was born on November 3, 1890, in Meridian, Mississippi.[1] He was the son of Mary Alvina (née Lewis), and William Thomas Foster.
He attended Tougaloo College, a private historically Black college in Jackson, Mississippi; where three of his siblings also attended.[2] Foster later attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee,[3] where in the 1910s he was a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, an African-American a cappella ensemble consisting of Fisk University students.[4][5][6] He was the bass vocals and the business manager.
Foster married his Fisk University classmate, Netta Mae Mosely in 1911, and together they had three children.[7]
Career
Foster worked at Kowaliga Industrial School in Kowaliga, Alabama for a year after graduation.[2]
From December 1918 until 1919 during World War I, Foster worked as the supervisor of negro economics for the state of Mississippi, a role within of the Division of Negro Economics at the United States Department of Labor.[8][9] He succeeded Supervisor Rev. J. C. Olden in the position based in Meridian, Mississippi.[9]
Starting in 1920, Foster worked as an executive secretary of the Urban League of Atlanta (now the National Urban League).[1][3] He also worked during this period for the Victory Life Insurance Company, in their New York City office.[10]
During World War II, Foster worked as a race relations analyst for the United States Army.[1] He also worked as a race relations officer for the Federal Works Agency.[1]
From 1945 until 1949, Foster worked as an executive in the personnel division at R. H. Macy & Company (now Macy's).[11] He left his role in April 1949, but continued his work as a consultant of personnel and race relations.[11][12]
Foster was a trustee and deacon at Grace Congregational Church of Harlem.[1] He was a member of the Harlem District Committee of the Manhattan Council, the Boy Scouts of America, Chairman of Harlem District Committee of the Red Cross Disaster Service (now American Red Cross), as well as a member of the board of managers for the Harlem YMCA.[1][12]
In the 1950s, Foster worked at the United States Department of the Treasury, in the U.S. Savings and Treasury Bond Division, and encouraged the Black community to invest in United States Treasury securities.[13]
Death
Foster died at the age of 90 on June 20, 1981, in New York Hospital (now Weill Cornell Medical Center) in New York City.[1] He is interred at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York. He was survived by his three children.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Lemuel Foster, A Macy Executive and Specialist on Race Relations". The New York Times. June 25, 1981. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ a b The Fisk University News. Fisk University. 1918. p. 31 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Urban League names Atlanta Personnel". The Atlanta Constitution. March 16, 1920. p. 9. Retrieved June 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Fisk Jubilee Singers Preserve Traditions Of Historic Concert Organization". The Courier-Journal. November 7, 1915. p. 7. Retrieved June 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Fisk Singers Made Hit". Portsmouth Daily Times. February 3, 1917. p. 16. Retrieved June 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Leader Engaged For Negro Sing Classes". The Birmingham News. August 15, 1919. p. 3. Retrieved June 30, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Obituary for Netta Mae Foster". New York Amsterdam News. April 16, 1975. p. 19. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Colored Teachers in Good Meeting Here". Jackson Daily News. January 11, 1919. p. 6. Retrieved June 30, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b The Negro at Work During the World War and During Reconstruction: Statistics, Problems, and Policies Relating to the Greater Inclusion of Negro Wage Earners in American Industry and Agriculture. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1921. pp. 83–86 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Welfare Workers To Meet May 21; Employment, Old Age Relief And Psychiatry Will Be Discussed At Sessions. To Tell Of Harlem Work L.p. Hill Will Outline Plans For Children There--dr. Straus To Lead Meeting". The New York Times. May 13, 1929. ISSN 0362-4331.
- ^ a b "Lemuel Foster Quits Macy's For Own Concern". New Journal and Guide. April 16, 1949. p. 20. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Lemuel Foster Sets Up Firm as Consultant". The New York Age. April 16, 1949. p. 14. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ike Greets Gand Masters Meeting". The Afro-American. June 6, 1953. p. 21. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.