Founder and former CEO of St. Louis-based Fleming Corporation Architects and Engineers, Charles E. Fleming, AIA, passed away July 8, 2024. Fleming is recognized as a phenomenon in the African American national business community and a catalyst in the field of architecture. Born 1937 in St. Louis County, Missouri, Fleming graduated Douglas High School. He attended Washington University School of Architecture and earned a bachelor’s degree with certification in Building Design in 1961. Fleming was the first African American to graduate from Washington University’s school of Architecture.
Fleming was the first African American to own and manage a full-service architecture and engineering firm in Missouri. Fleming Corporation, founded in 1978, established offices in several major markets including New York and San Francisco. Firm employed as many as 110 employees and had a construction value of 12.5 billion dollars.
Fleming was instrumental in establishing Gateway Bank, one of the first financial institutions owned by African Americans. He and numerous other African American investors piloted the historic bank which financed a multitude of projects and provided opportunities for African Americans.
Charles Fleming was preceded in death by both parents, Phil Jr. and Ernestine Gaskin Fleming, sibling Phil Fleming III and his wife, Janice Reef-Fleming. A memoriam celebration will be held Monday August 12, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Downtown Missouri Athletic club. A Reception will follow.
Charles Fleming was the architect for my church, St. Philips Lutheran Church and I worked with his wife, Janice at Dunbar School. Both wonderful people,
Cynthia T. Jackson
St. Louis