I knew Samuel H. Vick founded a vaudeville hall and movie theatre on the second floor of the Odd Fellows building, and I knew he (and later his son, Samuel Vick Jr.) booked talent for his venue. I was surprised, however, to learn that Vick had joined with other Black North Carolina businessmen to incorporate First National Negro Theatre Corporation in 1926.

The theatre corporation’s purview was broad — financing, theatre operation, vaudeville development, film production, booking services, and standardized theatre plans. “In the case of the First National … the Negro banker and business man and the theatre owner or operator will join hands and will unite capital and experience in the promotion of the corporation.” S.H. Vick was a charter member and treasurer. “Movie King” Frederick K. Watkins of Durham, N.C., and William S. Scales of Winston-Salem, N.C., were also charter members, and notable Durham lawyer R. McCants Andrews signed on as legal advisor.

New York Age, 23 January 1926.

I have found little additional mention of the First National Negro Theatre Corporation and suspect it tanked during the Great Depression.