Rep. Micheal Echols and his group of investors are presently renovating the Miller-Roy on 10th and Desiard. That is a good thing. Although it will be renovated for affordable housing, the structure itself, historic in nature will be a reminder of a time gone by.
What was remarkable about the Miller-Roy Building is that it was a business achievement of African-American businessmen. A core of men that included several young African-American business and political leaders that dreamed of promoting Black enterprise.
When the building was constructed, they used the services of John A. Beckwith, a licensed contractor to build the three-story master-piece. That was historic because the thinking of whites at the time is that such a feat was beyond the ability of a Black contractor.
Dr. J.C. Roy and Dr. J.T. Miller were leaders of the business community and were secret financial backers of the NAACP. It was secret because the NAACP was banned from Louisiana at the time.
When I opened this newspaper in the Miller-Roy Building in the early 1970’s, I found boxes of ledgers, documents, receipts, and letters from Dr. Roy to the National NAACP along with receipts.
Their plan was to motivate Black businessmen to join in the push for economic independence.
Shortly after the Miller-Roy Building was constructed, Black leaders built another building across the street which housed the Pierce’s Pharmacy. It also housed the dental office of young Dr. John Reddix.
The businessmen were on fire; they built a movie theater called the “Ritz” in the same area and sparked a string of Black-owned businesses that extended West to Five Points. Most of the businesses were built by Black contractors using black contractors, bricklayers, painters and carpenters.
That was the hidden story that started the Miller-Roy Building.
I was proud to have my newspaper located in the historic building. When it began to age, I tried to buy the building, but the family that came in possession of it, did not want to sell.
It is good that Rep. Echols is keeping the shell of the building.
It’s a good thing he is doing, but unfortunately, there no blacks among his group of major investors.
At least the shell can help us remember “The way we were.”
