He was a family man, entrepreneur, and a firm believer in the free enterprise system who had a passion for bettering his community. In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Fletcher believed the arts were vital to public education and helped create the Grass Roots Opera Company, now the Fletcher Opera Institute at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Through wise business opportunities and dedicated work, he gained much success and gave generously to what he believed in.
FREE ENTERPRISE HERO
1887 - 1979
FOUNDING MEMBER CHARLES A. CANNON FREE ENTERPRISE HALL OF FAME
A.J. Fletcher
2001 INDUCTEE
His Work & Legacy
CHILDHOOD
CAREER
A.J. FLETCHER
Hard work and perseverance
LEGACY
CHILDHOOD / EARLY YEARS
AFTER GRADUATING FROM WAKE FOREST LAW SCHOOL IN 1911, HE OPENED HIS FIRST PRACTICE IN WHAT IS NOW FUQUAY VARINA, NC.
Fletcher’s first experience in the communications business was early. As a student at Wake Forest College, he ran out of money and dropped out to manage the weekly paper in Apex, NC. He went back to law school and graduated in 1911.
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His Career
The son of a Baptist Minister, Alfred Johnston Fletcher learned early on that survival was uncertain and work was unending.
BORN 1887 IN ASHE COUNTY, NC
As a teenager, he set out from home to further his education and to earn wages. While doing a stint as a hotel bellhop, A.J. heard his first opera.
In 1919, Fletcher moved his family to Raleigh, NC to pursue other business opportunities.
Back in Raleigh, NC, A.J. owned a legal practice, Dixie Life Insurance Co, Hayes Barton Laundry & Dry Cleaners, and a wholesale grocery business.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
CAREER / ACHIEVEMENTS
WRAL PROMOTED THE GREAT TOBACCO REFERENDUM WITH THE HELP OF JESSE HELMS AND OTHER STAFF
The Capitol Broadcasting Company was on the air in 1939 as only the second radio station in Raleigh, NC. On August 2, 1960, Jesse Helms was hired to voice on air editorials, direct staff, and to act as a liason between the company and the Federal Communications Commission.
Expanded his successfull business
His Legacy
BACK: CHILDHOOD
HIS GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT
Fletcher applied for a 250 watt AM station in 1937.
GRASS ROOTS OPERA COMPANY
Created in 1948 to give experience and employment to young singers. Today there is a graduate program at the Fletcher Opera Institute.
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THE BELK COMPANY WAS ONE OF THE LAST PRIVATELY OWNED RETAIL CHAINS IN THE USA. IN 2015 BELK COMPANY WAS ADQUIRED BY SYCAMORE PARTNERS, BASED IN NEW YORK.
Helms greatly admired Fletcher and considerd him a mentor and father figure. A.J. Fletcher died in 1979.
Fletcher’s Capitol Broadcasting Company has grown to become one of the premier communications organizations in the nation.
A.J. FLETCHER
THE A.J. FLETCHER OPERA THEATER IS THE EPICENTER FOR OPERA AND DANCE IN THE NORTH CAROLINA.
Community impact and legacy
Today, the Capitol Broadcasting Company owns 3 TV stations, 9 radio stations and the Durham Bulls, a AAA minor league baseball team that was featured in the film, Bull Durham.
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BACK: CAREER
Hero Quiz
NEXT: QUIZ
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Today, many radio stations operate at a level of 50,000 watts or higher. When Fletcher stated the Capitol Broadcasting Company, in 1937, how many watts did his AM station run on?
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The correct answer is #3
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HERO QUIZ
1 / 2
35 watts
1
It ran on
40 watts
2
25 watts
3
Next Question
The correct answer is #1
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Outside of broadcasting, A.J. Fletcher was a supporter and fan of what type of music? In fact, he helped start a program specifically for this genre and exposed hundreds of people to this classic art form.
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2 / 2
The genre of
Opera
Rock and Roll
2
Jazz
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