Discover the inspiring legacy of Col. Clifton W. Gates, a trailblazing St. Louis business pioneer and local icon.
Black Chamber of Commerce
CONNECT. GROW. PROMOTE.
This is the first full week of August, which is National Black Business Month. As the President and CEO of the Heartland St Louis Black Chamber of Commerce it is our distinct pleasure to choose Colonel Clifton W. Gates, former American Newspaper co-publisher, entrepreneur and civic leader as our first honoree. As an entrepreneur and civic leader, Colonel Gates was a true legend. He was an inspiration and role model for our entire entrepreneurial and black business community, including this writer. He passed away at the age of 84 in December of 2007. Upon his passing, his nephew, Michael P McMillian, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St Louis, said the following, “C. W. Gates was not only a great businessman, but he was an exceptional role model and inspiration to young minorities and people of all ethnic backgrounds, especially on what can be achieved through hard work and determination”.
Gates was the first African American to be named as a member of the St. Louis City Board of Police Commissioners, in 1966, Missouri Governor Warren E. Hearne’s appointed Gates as colonel of the police board, and he was re-appointed in 1970 for a second, four-year term. Gates also was the first African American to become vice president of the board. Gates is widely known also as co-founder and chairman emeritus for Gateway Nations Bank, the first black-owned and operated bank in Missouri.
After many African-American investors sold their interests in the bank in 2000, Gates remained a major investor and its chair emeritus. In 1975, Gates founded Lismark Distributing Co., which made Black Enterprise Magazines list of the nation’s largest black-owned businesses. Lismark employed about 30 people, with annual sales exceeding $7 million.
He gained a Miller Beer distributorship after submitting to Miller executives an extensive market study on how the beer company could increase its St. Louis share over the next five years. Gates was one of the first African American realtors when blacks in St Louis were first beginning to amass large parcels of residential and commercial property.
In 1959, he became president and chief executive officer of Gates Realty Investment Company. He later formed the National Assurance Agency. He also had held leadership roles in mortgage and cable firms. Gates had a financial stake in the Renaissance Grand Hotel, Union Plaza and the old Admiral boat. He served as a director of the Pride of St. Louis Redevelopment Corporation, which built the Gateway Mall downtown.
Gates served on countless professional and civic board organizations. He was a board president of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis in 1968, during the tumultuous time in race relations. He was a director of the Missouri State Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau of St Louis Municipal Opera, Forest Park Forever, St. Louis Branch of the NAACP, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis Housing Authority and St. Louis Ambassadors.
Gates also served as city commissioner on the St. Louis Airport Authority and board vice president of the Boy Scouts of Greater St. Louis. Gates received hundreds of honors and awards during his lifetime. Distribution of the Year and Regional Distributor of the Year. In 1987 from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Management award in 1967 from the Labor and Management Committee, the Public Service Award in 1967 from the St. Louis Argus and an honorary Doctor of Philosophy, in business administration from Hamilton State University.
Col. Gates was as smart and sharp in his dress attire and style as he was in the boardroom. Check out his rides!
With permission of his daughter, Lisa and his son Mark it is the Chambers intent to name our first excellence in black business award after their Dad to be presented next year at our first annual Gala honoring the black business of this region.
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