The “Original Generals of the Industry” - following WWII starting in 1946, seven brothers from Augusta, Georgia, “The Griffins” moved to New York and started an industrial landscaping company -  L.B. Griffin Landscaping - in Jamaica, Queens. In its first 20 years L.B. Griffin landscaping expanded into contracting and became the first and largest black owned construction company in New York, L.B. Griffin Construction, Inc. after 50 years until today L.B. Griffin Contracting, Inc. has added several branches of Griffin Contracting. The Griffin family of contracting have been present in the development and construction of Jamaica, Long Island + Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and along the Northeast Corridor. There are two surviving Griffin brothers, the “Original Generals of the Industry,” Charles Thomas Griffin and Roy Oscar Griffin; this is their story.

All are invited to attend this community gathering and Oral History project regarding the African Americans who were at the forefront of developing the community of Southeast Queens. It is a time to meet with the remaining members of the African American construction team.  Celebrate the Oral History and meet the Builders of Southeast Queens. Minority Entrepreneurs “Tell It Like It Was”...slide show, film trailer, storytelling and meet “the Original Generals of the Industry.” *Admission is FREE*