Jesse Hill, a civil rights leader and businessman died earlier this month in Atlanta. He was 86 years old.
Hill was a native of St. Louis and graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, with a degree in mathematics and physics. He went on to earn a master’s degree in actuarial science from the University of Michigan.
In 1949 Hill was hired by the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. He later was appointed president and CEO of the firm and served until his retirement in 1990. He also served as head of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and from 1979 to 1995 was chair of the board of directors of the King Center in Atlanta.
In addition to a successful business career, Hill was a leader in the civil rights struggle. He worked in voter registration drives and participated in efforts to desegregate the Atlanta public schools and the University System of Georgia.
