Story and Photo by Vickii Howell

Mike Ousley met A.G. Gaston only a few times, in the sunset of the self-made millionaire’s life. But those encounters powerfully affected Ousley, teaching him important lessons about life and business. Now he wants to preserve the history and wisdom of the black business titan for today and future generations.

The owner of Mike Ousley Productions, he is filming a documentary about Gaston. Right now, he’s footing the bill. “I’m hoping some sponsors will come through, but right now it’s just me. I believe in this and sometimes you have to put your money where your mouth is.” 

Why did you set out to make a documentary on the life of A.G. Gaston?

My son didn’t know who he was. He didn’t know that Dr. Gaston owned a hotel and businesses downtown. He didn’t know the man and the whole deal about his life.

I am making DVD copies to send to every school in Alabama because, if my son who’s in Hoover schools, with all the resources Hoover has, didn’t know about Dr. Gaston, then other children don’t either. The DVD will be a teaching tool for generations to come to learn about Dr. Gaston and the impact he made on all our lives.

How did you meet Gaston?

Years ago, I did a show with Dr. Gaston’s WENN radio called Birmingham Jammin.’ I was the producer. I got to meet Dr. Gaston a few times and he made a huge impact on me.

Can you recall any personal experiences with him that impressed you?

I remember George Stewart and Lou Willie (both Gaston protégés) and I were having lunch in the Pioneer cafeteria in the Sonat Building Downtown. This fellow waves across the room at him, and said “Hello, Dr. Gaston.” He waves back and says hello. The waitress comes by later and scoops up our tickets and says that guy was picking up the tab. We just waved to him, said, “Thank you.” And the three of us were smiling.

But Dr. Gaston says, “Where was he when I was poor? Where was he when I didn’t have any money? Where was he when I went without food? I’m a millionaire! I can buy my own lunch!” I mean, he gave him down the road.

At first, I was in shock; it was unbelievable. The guy probably heard him. He was sitting 25 feet away from us. It was amazing to me. I just learned more about his outlook on life.

How would you describe Gaston’s outlook?

He was so positive, even when he was in a wheelchair and had his legs amputated. Even though he was a millionaire and he could have stayed at home, he was still thinking about business everyday. And I thought, “Wow. This is what it’s all about. This is not just about making money and quitting, but continuing to work and to build.” It gave me a lot to think about as a young businessman.

He had a strong work ethic. So many people would have just given up, not him.

We heard this story from his chauffer: He was driving Dr. Gaston down University Boulevard.  Dr. Gaston sees this one-legged man with crutch and he says, “Pull over!” Now, this is when Dr. Gaston had one good leg. He tells the man to get in the car and he says, “Teach me how to walk like that, with one leg.” The man says, “Dr. Gaston, I’m 32 years old. It takes a lot of upper body strength to walk like this.” Dr. Gaston was 75 years old, but he was determined to walk like that.

What else did you learned about Gaston in making this documentary?

Vivian Malone, the first black student at the University of Alabama, said Dr. Gaston paid for her clothes and for her tuition to attend college. He also bailed Martin Luther King, Jr. out of jail. That’s just incredible, for somebody to have that kind of vision to make sure that happened.

And he helped bail the Alabama Theater out of bankruptcy. He called the banks to help, but they all turned him down, saying it was a poor investment. But he believed in it, so he loaned the money to save the Alabama Theater. I think that’s just great.

Do you think everyone, black and white, can appreciate Gaston’s story?

Black, white, green, blue, regardless of color, he was a great man and he did a lot for this state. That he was a black man made it even harder, and I admire him even more for that.

He gave to back to his community, to his people. He believed in making a difference in people’s lives. When (black) people couldn’t buy insurance, he started Booker T. Washington Insurance, going door to door to collect insurance. The bank (Citizens Federal) he started gave loans so that people could buy homes. I just think he was a remarkable man.

The documentary’s premiere party is set for early October for Gaston’s family, friends and the film’s sponsors. It will be aired statewide on Fox affiliates. If you have a personal recollection of Gaston that could go in the documentary, call Ousley at (205) 987-7393.