The NYSE:
Joseph L. Searles III Became The First Black American Proposed As A Seat Holder On The New York Stock Exchange, On January 30, 1970.
The NYSE Is The Country's Top Securities Market. Only Seat Holders Can Buy And Sell On The Floor.
Searles Took One Of Three Seats Belonging To Newburger, Loeb & Co., As Well As Became A General Partner In The Firm. However, Because Of A Downturn In The Market, Searles Would Have To Relinquish His Seat In Less Than A Year.
Over The Past Two Decades The African American Presence In The Financial Services Industry Has Increased Steadily. Blacks Have Risen To The Top Levels Of Some Of Wall Street's Most Prestigious Firms.
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.
