A longtime Milwaukee business trailblazer has died. Dr. Lester Carter was 89 years old.He founded one of the Milwaukee’s first Black-owned pharmacies. Carter owned and operated Carter Drug Store at North 24th and West Burleigh streets for 47 years.He passed away after being ill.Carter was still working and serving his community.The Milwaukee Common Council released a statement expressing their condolences to Carter’s friends and family members.”He touched thousands of lives in positive ways during his time in business and beyond,” the statement read. “He helped improve the overall quality of life for community members, and as we remember his service, we think of his special touch.”Not only did you come to Dr. Carter’s store to get a prescription for whatever your ailment was, but he was also a source of inspiration. When you left his store, you were going to feel better before you even took that first pill or applied that ointment.”The Common Council named a street in Carter’s honor in 2018. “Dr. Carter was much more than a pharmacist. He was a community institution. And his professional activities were so important in keeping his customers healthy,” Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in a statement. “He was also an accomplished and humble man. Dr. Carter faced racism and, notwithstanding that, enjoyed success in his career. He was a resource, an innovator, and a trusted counselor.””I just do my job. I just do my job the best I can,” Carter told WISN 12 in 2021 when he was profiled during Black History Month.He purchased his store from a German pharmacist.”(We) shook hands, and that was the sale of the store. No lawyers, no banks, all on a handshake,” Carter said last year.He served in the Korean War and attended Creighton University’s School of Pharmacy, where he was the first African American graduate in 1958.”(There were) 42 (students) in the class. You can just imagine how many African Americans were in that class in the ’50s. You’re looking at him,” Carter said in 2021.He started his career at a “whites only” store in Nebraska.”Of course, in those days, that was unheard of — to have a Black pharmacist in a white store in a rich neighborhood. Well, it was unheard of,” Carter told WISN 12.Afraid of customer backlash, his managers only allowed him to work in the back of the store.”It’s the best move that ever could’ve happened to me because I learned the ins and outs of compounding,” Carter said.A park is also named for him in Milwaukee’s Amani neighborhood. WISN 12 asked Carter in 2021 how he would like to be remembered.”Just as a community druggist trying to instill in young people, to encourage them to utilize whatever skills that they have,” Carter said.He sold his pharmacy a few years ago but still helped the new owners by serving as a consultant in natural remedies.
A longtime Milwaukee business trailblazer has died.
Dr. Lester Carter was 89 years old.
He founded one of the Milwaukee’s first Black-owned pharmacies.
Carter owned and operated Carter Drug Store at North 24th and West Burleigh streets for 47 years.
He passed away after being ill.
Carter was still working and serving his community.
The Milwaukee Common Council released a statement expressing their condolences to Carter’s friends and family members.
“He touched thousands of lives in positive ways during his time in business and beyond,” the statement read. “He helped improve the overall quality of life for community members, and as we remember his service, we think of his special touch.
“Not only did you come to Dr. Carter’s store to get a prescription for whatever your ailment was, but he was also a source of inspiration. When you left his store, you were going to feel better before you even took that first pill or applied that ointment.”
The Common Council named a street in Carter’s honor in 2018.
“Dr. Carter was much more than a pharmacist. He was a community institution. And his professional activities were so important in keeping his customers healthy,” Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in a statement. “He was also an accomplished and humble man. Dr. Carter faced racism and, notwithstanding that, enjoyed success in his career. He was a resource, an innovator, and a trusted counselor.”
“I just do my job. I just do my job the best I can,” Carter told WISN 12 in 2021 when he was profiled during Black History Month.
He purchased his store from a German pharmacist.
“(We) shook hands, and that was the sale of the store. No lawyers, no banks, all on a handshake,” Carter said last year.
He served in the Korean War and attended Creighton University’s School of Pharmacy, where he was the first African American graduate in 1958.
“(There were) 42 (students) in the class. You can just imagine how many African Americans were in that class in the ’50s. You’re looking at him,” Carter said in 2021.
He started his career at a “whites only” store in Nebraska.
“Of course, in those days, that was unheard of — to have a Black pharmacist in a white store in a rich neighborhood. Well, it was unheard of,” Carter told WISN 12.
Afraid of customer backlash, his managers only allowed him to work in the back of the store.
“It’s the best move that ever could’ve happened to me because I learned the ins and outs of compounding,” Carter said.
A park is also named for him in Milwaukee’s Amani neighborhood.
WISN 12 asked Carter in 2021 how he would like to be remembered.
“Just as a community druggist trying to instill in young people, to encourage them to utilize whatever skills that they have,” Carter said.
He sold his pharmacy a few years ago but still helped the new owners by serving as a consultant in natural remedies.
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