Overview

After the civil rights movement of the 1960's, many Blacks took the initiative to do for self and became entrepreneurs to become independent and strive to reach their potential. Demetrius Bledsoe shares the fascinating journey of the painting business his father Ether Bledsoe started in 1970. The book will detail how the business quickly grew from two employees painting houses to nearly 100 painting skyscrapers, bridges, restaurants, automotive plants, hospitals and numerous landmarks throughout the country. The success of the company was celebrated by many and hated by others. Ether was also one of the founding members of the Minority Contractors Association of Missouri/Kansas(MO-KAN) when it was established in the early 1970's. The organization fought hard to increase the participation level of black workers and minority owned businesses on construction projects. MO-KAN is known for shutting down interstate 70 which runs through downtown St. Louis in an effort to bring attention to the lack of minority workers participating in the multi-million dollar improvement of the highway in the late 1990's. One would think that creating meaningful jobs and being a vessel to allow many to enter a solid middle class lifestyle would be applauded. Bledsoe details in easy to read fashion how the company was infiltrated by Whites with an aim to put the company out of business. The local union worked night and day to prevent the company from winning jobs and completing projects.The book will detail how the local municipality used Jim Crow tactics to harass and attempt to run the business out of town. The municipality is just a few minutes from Ferguson, Mo. where some of those on the front line fighting for justice for Michael Brown had worked for Bledsoe. It all came to a showdown when city officials along with a county sheriff and enlisting the municipality's police department at the highest level, derived a well developed scheme to take control of the two story renovated office building. The building had a winding staircase, plush carpeting an executive office suite, marble bathroom fixtures and an abundance of land. The over zealousness of the officials led them to collide head-on with Demetrius Bledsoe. Demetrius was occupying the building, operating a business, had a valid business license, was paying utilities and receiving mail but none of that mattered. The aim of those that wanted to take control of the property would move full steam ahead with tactics reminiscent of a time when Blacks had no rights. Demetrius however, stood his ground which culminated in The Battle for 2812. 2812 is the street number of the address where the property was located. Despite being in the property that his parents owned for over 20 years along with having a valid business license issued by the city, Demetrius was arrested twice on bogus charges for trespassing without any due process. In the book, you will go into the courtroom where the city hired a special prosecutor to go after Demetrius. In the four day trial, you will read actual testimony how Demetrius defeated the prosecution in the first case the special prosecutor ever lost. You will read about the fate of the municipality that ultimately was raided by the FBI. You'll also learn the fate of the prosecuting attorney that initially authorized the arrests of Demetrius Bledsoe. You will also read about the fate of the county sheriff that lived 100 miles away that was used by city officials to be a part of their scheme. The Battle for 2812 is about the journey of Ether and Alma Bledsoe and their vision to start a business to better provide for their family and assist their community. The essence of the book is about determination, dedication and perseverance.

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9781698326399

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