ACTIVITIES AMONG NEGROES
One of the outstanding posts of the American Legion's convention just closed in this city, was that of the Benjamine J. Bowie Post, No. 228, from Los Angeles. This post was named after the first colored enlisted man {drafted from Los Angeles} California to make the supreme sacrifice in the World war. The Benjamine J. Bowie post took an active part in all the convention's proceedings. No less active was their auxiliary. During the official reception held Sunday evening in Veteran's Memorial building the Unit Glee club rendered an enjoyable musical program. The most heartily encored numbers were "Go Down Moses," "Little David Play on Your Harp" and "Hail American Legions." At the close of the program their director, Mrs. Fay was presented an immense bouquet.
The following are the names of the members and officials of the Glee club and the Unit: Mrs. Fay Beal, chaplain and musical director; Mrs. Cullie Hubert, president of the unit, and pianist for the Glee club. She holds the distinction of being official pianist for the entire Seventeenth district of American Legion posts of California. She is a graduate of Fisk university, and holds the degree B. S. from the University of California in Los Angeles. Mrs. Nellie Carlisle, another member of the Glee club, is junior past president of the Benjamine J. Bowie Unit, No. 228. Mrs. Pauline Lewis is secretary to the director, Mrs. Fay Beal. The soloists were: Mesdames Cruezot, McSwayne, and Smith. Other members of the club were Mesdames Graves, McColohan, Jackson, Caldwall, Hunigan, Houston, and Mrs. Victoria Mitchell, color bearer, who presented the colors in convention at their first session held Monday in Oakland Municipal auditorium.
This unit last winter voted to present as a gift to the Gold Star Mother, Mrs. Annie Bowie, a membership in the unit, since she was the only Gold Star colored mother from California to make the pilgrimage to graves of the fallen heroes in France. But Mrs. Bowie after a very short illness died before they could bestow this honor. She was however, a charter member of the Angelus chapter, American War Mothers.
OFFICIALS OF THE POST
The drum corps and buglers of the Benjamine J. Bowie Post, No 228, made a splendid showing in colorful parade held Monday afternoon. The drum corps wore blue sweaters, trimmed in gold, with white flannel trousers, blue striped, black shoes, white shirts and black ties. The drill team wore blue uniforms trimmed in gold, white and blue special regulation American Legion caps. This post has as their commander Alva Garrott., Drum Major, Lieut. Jessie Kimbrough; president, Harry Beal; first vice-president, Woody, Lewis; Instructor, Manual buglers, A. Arnett, G. Bradford, Manuel Bray, J. Clesby, Arthur Cole, Joe Davis, H. Graham, A. Hinds, A. C. Mitchell, J. C. Powell, A. E. Remy, J. IL. Scott; drummers, Harry Bael, Edward Carlisle (formerly supply sergeant, Co. 367th Infantry, 92nd Division W. W.) and Messrs. Foster, Lewis, Judson, Turman, White, Scott and Palmer.
STANDING OF THE UNIT
The Benjamine J. Bowie unit received a department citation for meritorious service during the year. The post has 382 members. The unit was awarded the department trophy, a silver cup for the greatest percentage gained in membership during the year. They also received a national citation for paid up membership, and the Ethel M. Flynn, perpetual trophy on account of having the highest percentage gained in membership for 1932, over last year.
The Fred Whitaker Unit, No. 372, of South Los Angeles, won a silver cup for the highest number reporting for state mobilization test. They were represented by Mrs. Rose King, their president and the wife of Dr. Curtis King of Watts, California.
COL. CHARLES YOUNG POST
The Col. Charles Young Post, American Legion of Oakland, participated in the convention, and the parade with Commander Lieut. Leonard Richardson (W. W. V.). They wore dark blue sack coats, white flannel trousers, regulation dark blue caps. Marching with this post was G. S. Pinkard, a member of the Wallace Simpson Post, No. 297, of Denver, Colorado. He is en route to the national American Legion convention to be held in Portland. He was for a long time secretary Y. M. C. A. Steelworks in Pueblo, Colo., and holds a similar position now in Denver, Colo.
RESCUE CONCERT
Miss Mary Dixon Norris, of Berkeley, is making an urgent appeal to the public to help her raise sufficient funds whereby she can as the trustee of funds for James Noel Brown, a blind musical student of her race, be enabled to pay his upkeep, while studying music in Boston, Mass. The boy was educated in the blind school in Berkeley as a ward of the state. Through Miss Norris, and a group of her musical friends of the other race, they interested Roland Hayes, making seven such talented Negro boys he is educating in music, with the understanding they pay their own upkeep. But James Noel Brown, being blind and coming from a family of twelve children of which he is the youngest, the family's poverty making it impossible to help him. Hayes appointed Miss Mary Dixon Norris as trustee of funds and for the past two years she has been successful in raising the required sum of money. But this year the depression has made it difficult to receive assistance.
At her own expense had the boy return to California and had arranged to have hint give two concerts as a musical student, hoping that a sympathetic, appreciative, and generous public will recognize his talent and help him prepare himself to earn his own living notwithstanding his handicap of being blind, poor and a Negro. The first concert will be held on the evening of August 30 at 8:15 in Travis theater, Fairmount hotel. San Francisco. There are eight boxes $10 a piece, and other seats at $1.11, and 83 cents. A group of young women of Miss Norris' race have volunteered their services as ushers, namely Virginia Stephens, Alva Clark, Florida Monroe Baranco, and Lula Chapman.
QUARTERLY LUNCHEON
The quarterly/luncheon of the Oakland Council of Church Women will be held Friday, August 26 at 12:15 in Central Y. W. C. A. honoring pioneer women in W. C. T. U. Following the luncheon there will begin a three day exhibit and programs sponsored by the Eastbay Council of Dry Agencies. It will be educational, the public is urged to attend. Several will assist in the international program.
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA MEET
Do not forget the history making event for this afternoon when the Alpha Kappa Alpha, sorority will render a program in the Greek theater, which will mark the closing of the national Boule held during the week in Los Angeles, on the campus of the U. of C. This sorority is one of the ranking sororities in scholarship for Negro women in the world.
