John Merrick was an African-American entrepreneur born in Clinton, North Carolina

Clinton, North Carolina

Clinton is the county seat of Sampson County, North Carolina, United States. The population of Clinton is 8,639 according to the 2010 US Census. Clinton is named for American Revolution General Richard Clinton.-History:...

, who founded the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. Merrick was born into slavery and raised by a single mother. He began working in business and entrepreneurship early with barbershops, and he involved the community in his businesses. He eventually founded not only the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, but many other companies, such as banks, in the Raleigh-Durham area.

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