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GEORG OLDEN (1920 – 1975) was the first black executive of a major corporation also noted for his contributions to the television graphics field and leading the way for future black designers.

Born George Elliott Olden on Nov. 13, 1920, in Birmingham, Al., to James Clarence Olden, a Baptist minister, and Sylvia Ward Olden, a classically-trained singer and music teacher, Olden excelled in art from a young age. His family, which included older siblings James Clarence Jr. and Sylvia (who became the first person of color to work at the Metropolitan Opera as a vocal coach) had moved to Washington, D.C., where his father pastored Plymouth Congregational Church.

After becoming heavily involved in the civil rights movement, James Sr. abandoned the family in 1933, and six years later their mother died. Georg failed most of his classes in high school but continued to excel in art as well as swimming, winning a number of trophies. He graduated a year behind his class and attended Virginia State, drawing cartoons for the school newspaper, the Virginia Statesmen, and gaining popularity after establishing a reputation for wit and drinking.

In 1940, Georg proposed to aspiring actress Courtenaye Macbeth, who was three years older than him and had two small children. Because his sister Sylvia would not consent as his legal guardian, the couple was forced to wait until Georg turned 21 in order to marry, which they did on December 25, 1941.

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