ccoovveerr ssttoorryy FATHER SON: ALDEN J. MCDONALD JR. & TODD MCDONALD Many people are called to do great things; yet only in answering that call are they truly pushed to be their greatest. Alden McDonald and his son, Todd McDonald, proved this to be true by answering their call and becoming history-makers who continue to shape the future. “History Makers Shaping the Future” By Stylist B. Born and raised in New Orleans, Alden J. McDonald Jr. started making significant contributions to his community at an early age. The Joseph S. Clark High School graduate may not have known it at the time, but the acceptance of his second job began the fulfillment of his calling. In 1966, at the International City Bank, Alden became one of the first African Americans to enter into the banking business in Louisiana. “I got into banking by mistake,” he half-jokingly admitted. “My dad was a waiter and he knew of some people opening a new bank. They were prepared to hire African Americans. I took the position and started in banking part-time.” His part-time job eventually matured into a career. “When I got in, I liked it and decided to continue,” he added. He went on to graduate from LSU School of Banking and Columbia University's Commercial Banking Management Program. Entering the field full time, Alden was advancing up the corporate ladder but his rise was halted at Vice President for Consumer Lending when greater opportunity arose. In the later years of the Civil Rights Movement, Alden was approached by a group of community leaders, led by Dr. Norman Francis, President of Xavier University. The group wanted him to run what would be the first Black-owned bank in New Orleans. Their efforts resulted in Liberty Bank and Trust Company, which opened its doors in 1972 and confirmed Alden as President and CEO. “At the time, banking financial services weren’t necessarily available for 16 | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | breakthrumediamagazine.com S E P T E M B E R / O C TOB E R 2 0 1 6
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