"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE": ROSCOE C SIMMONS

During my recent research, I found out that during the "RECONSTRUCTION ERA," the Colored Men in the South who were loyal members of the Republican Party were called "The Black and Tan Faction" of the Republican Party. One of the most popular Negro members in the faction was none other than Frederick Douglass! Also, I found out that was only the half of things.The other half of the Republican Party was known as "The Lily Whites." Of course, the Lily Whites resented the Black and Tan Faction being a part of the Republican Party, and their being able to vote and hold offices in Congress. Well, I guess the White Democrats secretly resented the Black and Tans just as much! Why would I say such a thing? Well, during my research, I found out that the White Democrats & the White members of the GOP, "Grand Old Party," got together and gave the Colored Men a GOF, "Grand Old Farewell!" Yes, for "ABOUT THREE DECADES," from 1898 - 1928, no Colored Men were allowed to hold "Any office in the U.S. Congress!" Furthermore, for those who didn't know, it wasn't untill the "COLOREDS," who were by now being referred to as "NEGROES" by White People were allowed back into Congress that Negroes began joining the Democratic Party on a larger scale, than they had ever done before then! Now, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Roscoe C Simmons was born on June 20, 1881 in Greenview, Mississippi. He was the nephew of Booker T Washington's third wife, Margaret M Washington. Booker T Washington took a liking to him and when Roscoe reached the age of 12, Booker T Washington secured a job for him working as an office boy to Republican Senator Mark Hanna, a millionaire industrialist from the state of Ohio. Roscoe's job working for the Ohio Senator served as his introduction to American politics. Once Roscoe graduated from Tuskegee Normal School, he took a job as a reporter for the Pensacola Daily Press. After building up a reputation as a "savy reporter" with the Pensacola Daily Press, he was offered a position working as a reporter for the Chicago Defender. Not long after being at the Chicago Defender, Roscoe took on additional duties as editor of the paper, making him the paper 's highest paid employee! By the way, during World War l, he was selected as National Spokesman for the U.S. Military to encourage Negro patriotism during World War l. The government had him give speeches and lectures throughout the nation. It was reported that Roscoe's oratory skills were of such a high caliber that former presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan referred to him as being "one of the greatest orators in the entire world!" Furthermore, his exceptional speaking ability helped him gain significant influence within the ranks of the Black and Tan Fraction of the Colored Republicans. In the early 1900s, Roscoe played a huge part in the Republican Party's strong hold on the Negro vote ; all the way from the early 1900s, through the "Great Depression period. Finally, Roscoe was elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention 3 times, and at the National Republican Convention held in Chicago, in 1932, he "seconded the vote" to approve the nomination of Herbert Hoover to run again as the Republican candidate for President of the United States! On Saturday, April 27, 1951, a Negro by the name of Roscoe C Simmons, once referred by the Chicago Daily News as being a great "mellifluous & spellbinding orator" went home to be with the Lord.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : SADIE M ALEXANDER

Even though, I don't know the full significance of these two forgotten Black Communities that are a part of the history of the City of Monroe, Louisiana, I feel compelled to mention them in this week's article! One of the Black Communities was known as "Bright Oak." It was located near North 18th Street and the main branch of the Ouachita Public Library on Stubb's Street.The Bright Oak Community had a school for the Black Children of the community, a church, and a beautiful pond, where Black People would hold Baptisms and fish.The other Black Community was known as "Jones Quarters," which may have been near Burg Jones Lane in Monroe. By the way, the Jones Quarters included a set of rental properties owned by one Henry T. Benoit, a wealthy White Businessman of Monroe, Louisiana.The City of Monroe later had a recreational center on the Southside of Monroe named for his son, Harvey H. Benoit. Also, a report said that the properties were rented out to several Negro families back around 1923 - 1935 or so, and that a Mr. Russell P. Moore, of Russell Moore Lumber Company, who was the authorized rent collector, had set up a railroad fence which closed one means of entry to the Negro housing properties. Furthermore, being that it is "National Black History Month," I felt that this was an appropriate time and opportunity for me to bring these two forgotten Black Communities to the attention of the residents of the City of Monroe, Louisiana.With that being said, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Sadie M Alexander was born on January 2, 1898 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When it was time for Sadie to attend elementary school, her parents chose to send her to live with her uncle. By moving to Washington D.C. and staying with her uncle, Dr. Lewis B Moore and his wife at their home on the campus of Howard University, Sadie was able to attend the famous M Street School. Once Sadie graduated in 1915, she returned to Philadelphia and enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania. Sadie earned her B.A. Degree in 1918, and then earned her Master's Degree the following year. In 1921, Sadie became the first Colored Woman to ever earn a College PHD from an American University! Well, you would think that after earning a B.A. Degree, a Master's Degree, and a Doctorate Degree that she would easily be able to find a job doing Professorship work. However, in her case, it was so difficult for her to find that type of work in Philadelphia, she ended up taking a regular job at a Black-Owned Insurance Company in Durham ,North Carolina. After working there for two years, Sadie got married to a lawyer by the name of Raymond P Alexander, and the couple ended up returning to Philadelphia. Sometime between 1923 - 1925, Sadie decided to return to school. Since she wanted to work along side her husband, she filled out an application to attend the University of Pennsylvania Law School. The school accepted her application and Sadie became the first Colored female to ever be admitted to the school. Additionally, when Sadie graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1927, she became the school's first Colored female to ever graduate from the school, and the first to ever be admitted to the Pennsylvania State Bar. Furthermore, Sadie, was the first Colored female to ever practice law in the entire State of Pennsylvania! Upon her admission to the State Bar, Sadie joined her husband's law practice as partner just as she had planned. A few of her accomplishments included : her being elected the first Honorary National President of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated in 1919, where she served as legal advisor for the Sorority for 35 years ; she served on the board of the National Urban League for 25 years ; and she was one of the founding members of The National Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights in 1963. On November 1, 1989, Sadie M Alexander went home to glory. An elementary school in West Philadelphia, the Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander University of Pennsylvania Partnership School, frequently referred to as "Penn-Alexander" is named after Sadie.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : REV. THOMAS W. STRINGER

Even though many Black People in Monroe, Louisiana know about "The Prince-Hall Masons," few seem know about the "forgotten" Black organization that was known as "The Naomi Colored Knights of Pythias." It was a Chapter of The Colored Knights of Pythias.The Colored Knights of Pythias was formed because the White Knights of Pythias Organization refused to accept Colored People.Therefore, Rev. Thomas W. Stringer of Mississippi, a Colored man who also founded the "Prince-Hall Mason Lodge"( the T.W. Stringer Lodge ) in Vicksburg, Mississippi, came up with a plan to learn the rituals of the White Knights of Pythias. After learning their rituals and how the organization was ran, he formed what was officially named The Supreme Lodge of Knights of Pythias of North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceanica; it was most commonly called the Colored Knights of Pythias.The only mention of the Monroe Chapter that I was able to find online had to do with the shooting of Mayor Forsythe that occured in Monroe, Louisiana back in 1909. Well, on the heels of the shooting, it is rumored that White Citizens of Monroe, Louisiana set fire to "The Naomi Colored Knights of Pythias Hall" which was located on Desiard Street, near the Old Monroe Cemetery in Monroe. So far, I haven't been able to find any relatives of any of the former members of The Monroe Chapter of The Naomi Colored Knights who could provide an account of the fire that took place at the KOP Hall in 1909. Additionally, I haven't been able to find any information online as to when the Monroe Chapter of The Colored Knights of Pythias began or when it ended. Now on to this week's Black Pioneer. Rev. Thomas W. Stringer was born in Maryland, in 1815. However, he was raised in North Buxton, a settlement of "Black Canadians" in Ontario Canada. Thomas was known as "The Father of Black Masonry in the South!" He became a Mason in 1836 at the Hiram Lodge in Pennsylvania. When Thomas moved to Ohio, he helped organize the first Grand Lodge of Ohio, and he became it's first Grand Master in 1849. Why, he even had a Lodge in New Orleans, Louisiana named after him! Furthermore, when he moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, after the American Civil War, Thomas founded the first Prince Hall Lodge in Vicksburg, in 1867. Additionally, he helped organize Mississippi 's Grand Lodge, and he was elected the first Grand Master in 1875. Thomas went on to become a 33rd degree Mason and worked hard establishing Lodges in Natchez, Vicksburg, and other parts of Mississippi. Also, Thomas is credited with founding The Colored Knights of Pythias, although the organization's official name was The Supreme Lodge of Knights of Pythias of North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceanica. The name of the first Lodge of The Colored Knights of Pythias in Vicksburg was Lightfoot Lodge No. 1. The organization provided benefits such as life and burial insurance. Other interesting things about Thomas included, he helped build schools and churches throughout the state of Mississippi, during reconstruction, he was elected Mississippi's first Black State Legislator, and being the founder of the BME (British Methodist Episcopal) Churches in Chatham and Buxton. In 1893, after establishing schools, churches, and Prince-Hall Lodges, Thomas W. Stringer was laid to rest at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg. By the way, to this Day, fellow Prince-Hall Masons gather to honor Thomas W. Stringer on National Founders Day.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : FANNIE JACKSON COPPIN

Today, when people hear someone talk about the Old Negro Leagues, they usually assume that the person is talking about the Old Negro Baseball League. However, in this week's article when I mention the Old Negro Leagues, I am referring to the "Old Negro Business Leagues," and not The Negro Baseball League. Of course, the most popular and famous one was the National Negro Business League that was founded on August 23,1900 by Booker T. Washington, and was incorporated in Boston Massachusetts.The mission and main goal of the National Negro Business League was "to promote the commercial and financial development of the Negro." At the height of it's existence, there were over "600" Chapters of The National Negro Business League throughout the United States! In 1966, the National Negro Business League was reincorporated in Washington, D.C. and renamed the National Business League. The National Business League still exists today, and has over 100,000 members nationwide and manages local chapters throughout all 50 states and Internationally. Next, there was The Negro Housewives League.The organization was established "to encourage Negro housewives to participate in patronizing Negro-Owned Businesses." Although, Chapters of the Organization weren't officially recognized by the government until the 1930s, The Negro Housewives League played a big role in the economic growth of Black Communities all over America! Of course, these were just two of the Old Negro Business League Organizations that helped paved the way for the "Black Wall-Streets" of the past, present, and the future! Ok, let's get to this week's Black Pioneer. Fannie Jackson Coppin was born in Washington D.C. on October 15, 1837.Fortunately for Fannie, when she turned 12, her Aunt was able to buy her freedom for $125.00.However, she still ended up having to work, instead of going to school.To make up for having to work, Fannie would use money from her earnings to hire a tutor to teach her the basic school courses. Subsequently, her tutoring paid off when she was awarded a scholarship from an African -Methodist Church.Additionally, her Aunt was able to help provide her with financial support as well! In 1860, Fannie was able to enroll in Oberlin College in Ohio.The highlight of her Junior year was when she was selected to teach "Junior Classes" at Oberlin. In 1865, Fannie graduated and received her Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Foreign Languages. Among her many accomplishments were : Serving as one of the first Vice-presidents of The National Association of Colored Women ; being hired right after graduating to teach in Philadelphia at the Institute for Colored Youth in 1865 ; her appointment as school principal of IFCY in 1869 ; and when she was promoted to Superintendent of the school, becoming the school's first Negro Superintendent.Throughout her "37 years" at the Institute, Fannie proved that a Colored Woman was fully capable of teaching as well as any White teacher! Part of the Legacy that Fannie Jackson Coppin left behind when she died on January 21, 1913 included a school In Baltimore, Maryland being name after her in 1926, and in 2021 an elementary school in South Philadelphia was renamed in her honor.