Page 6 - Demo

Alpha Kappa Alpha Easter egg hunt, Bethune Nursery School, Lynchburg, 2005
FAor Our Own Good
others”
Campbell County Extension Agent Charlie Elliott (center) with 4-H Club members, c. 1960
“Not
for
ourselves
but for
frican American civic and social groups are as old as the United States. Since the eighteenth century, like-minded people have come together to look out for themselves and each other. They have formed groups to shape their own identities and
to protect those like themselves from isolation and want. African American civic and social groups began in Northern cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, and New York and moved to urban areas in the South such as Richmond and Norfolk before spreading to less populated areas.
As Central Virginia’s African American civic and social groups formed, they followed patterns established elsewhere. Men’s groups preceded women’s groups. Local
Goodwill Club slogan
them. Almost without exception, Central Virginia’s lodges and clubs closely aligned themselves with the area’s churches. They kept and encouraged good moral conduct based on American and Christian ideals.
chapters of national groups, such as the Masons, Odd Fellows, True Reformers,
and Eastern Star, preceded independent and unaffiliated clubs, such as the Ansonians, Cabelleros, and Pearls.
The first unaffiliated clubs were formed by college- educated professionals with higher incomes. Clubs associated with occupations and hobbies, such as the
Beauticians and Negro Garden Clubs, were organized
before groups formed to preserve culture.
African American civic
and social organizations supported black businesses, and black businesses supported
Parade with Shriner Callie Harris and Charles Phelps Thompson, San Francisco, 1948
Charlie Elliott, Campbell County Extension Agent c. 1965
 LYNCH’S FERRY
DID YOU KNOW?
According to historian Ira Berlin, civic and social groups were “reservoirs of strength” in black communities. These groups have always reflected the circumstances of their members.
Courtesy of Iris Thorpe
Courtesy of Elaine Duke
Courtesy of Charlie Elliott
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