"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : SMITH WENDELL GREEN

It's strange how so many of the accomplishments & achievements that were achieved by Black People during the "RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD" and the early 1900s in America were deliberately not included in any of the history books at the public schools in Monroe, Louisiana, West Monroe, Louisiana, and Ouachita Parish. Case in point, The Pythian Temple Building that was built in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1909, and The Miller-Roy Building that was built in Monroe, Louisiana, in 1929. Both of the buildings helped comprise the Black Business Districts within their respective Black Communities, as well as feed and support the Black Economy. It's a terrible shame that the stories about The Pythian Building and The Miller-Roy Building are not included in any of the school history or library books in Louisiana. Now to this week's Black Pioneer, Smith Wendell Green! Smith was born in the Louisiana Delta town of Waterproof, Louisiana, on August 12, 1861. Although there is little mention about his early education, based on his knowledge and business savy that he displayed when he moved to Lake Providence, Louisiana to start his mercantile business, you could tell he had received above average schooling. Nevertheless, it did not take long for Smith to become a part of the "Elite Negroes" in all of Northeastern Louisiana! While living in East Carroll Parish, he ran a mercantile business, invested heavily in real-estate, and attended to his other business interest. Out of all his achievements, it was the accomplishments he achieved while working in the Fraternal Organization known as "The Knights of Pythias," also known as "The Colored Knights of Pythias," that were some of his best! There was even a "branch" of The Colored Knights of Pythias that met in Monroe, Louisiana, in the early 1900s and was located on Desiard Street. Well, Smith officially joined The Colored Knights of Pythias in July of 1883, and became a charter member of "Pride of Tensas" Lodge #21, located in St Joseph, Louisiana. He was immediately elected to the office of Vice-Chancellor, but sometimes served as Chancellor when needed. Throughout the years,Smith was elected to serve at different levels and capacities within the organization. On June 30, 1886, he was elected as the Grande Representative from his lodge to the Grande Lodge of Louisiana. Additionally, at the 1906 Grande Lodge Session held in Alexandria, Louisiana, Smith recommended that a Pythian Temple be built in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. It was eventually approved, and a seven-story Pythian Temple building was erected in New Orleans, in 1909. After more than 30 years of dedicated service in The Colored Knights of Pythias, Smith Wendell Green, the fifth Supreme Chancellor of The Colored Knights of Pythias died on the evening of January 10, 1946. .