Carver Begins 90th Anniversary with Reception

 
 

On Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. in the DeVeaux and Musgrove Rooms of the Savannah Civic Center, Carver State Bank held a spectacular reception to begin celebrating its 90th Anniversary. The event was held on “Grand Festival Day” for the 28th Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival. In addition to the bank’s Directors, officers and staff members, the event was attended by governmental, business and community leaders along with a host of loyal Carver customers. Carver has a tremendous legacy within the Savannah Chatham County area as an innovative financial service leader for 90 years. Chartered on February 23, 1927, Carver is the oldest bank headquartered in Savannah. Only 21 of the almost 6,500 banks in the United States are owned by African Americans and Carver is one of the older of these institutions. Most of the other banks that are owned by African Americans are located in much larger metropolitan areas. Carver has always been a great source of community pride for many Savannahians who boast that Savannah is the home of an independent, African-American owned bank that has thrived for 90 years. Attorney Robert E. James, II, who is a Carver Director, opened the brief program by recalling the tenacity and business acumen of the bank’s founder, Louis

B. Toomer and his contemporaries who had the foresight to start Carver 90 years ago. Attorney James announced that Carver has initiated an effort to place a historic marker in Chatham Square near the Sundial Monument that salutes the life and accomplishments of Louis Toomer. This project is being led by historian Vaugnette Goode-Walker, Director of the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum and Owner of the Footprints of Savannah Walking Tours.

After an inspiring prayer of rededication and thanksgiving by Bishop Willie Ferrell of the Royal Church of Christ, Carver President Robert James thanked the supporters for attending. James also reminded the audience that this event will be the first of several public activities that Carver will sponsor during the year to highlight its history and unique position in Savannah and the nation. “The reception and all of the other activities should help link our past with the present as we chart a course for continued service, leadership and success,” according to President James.

In addition to a beautiful buffet of reception food, the Carver staff members who served as host presented the guests with several specially prepared gift items to commemorate the event.

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