Our History

In 1983, Celeste W. Burton acted on her vision to start an organization dedicated to friendship and service. She invited Davetta Madison, Dorothy Patton and Myrtle Roane to join her as the circle of Founders for The Society. Later, charter members Jean Dobbins; Alyce Gaither; Carolyn Hyman; Dr. Judine B. Johnson; Ethel Lee Walker; Frances W. Moore; Anna Pendergrast; Barbara Quick; Patricia Robb; Dolores Spaulding; Patricia Stokes; and Evelyn Syphax formed the nucleus of the organization.

Dr. Judine B. Johnson was elected as the first chapter president and “The Society” became a recognized local organization. Its goal was to promote friendship among members and to serve as a resource in the arts for young people. The new chapter conducted various service initiatives to showcase students’ talents, and the members maintained a formidable presence and impact in the public arena. On October 31, 1985, The Society was officially designated as a non-profit organization. After conducting a series of successful arts programs, the ladies applied and was granted Articles of Incorporation in 1992. They adopted Peach and Cream as the official colors; the Peach Colored Tea Rose as the official flower; and an embellished script style “S” as the organization’s symbol. Much later the “Youth Arts Showcase” was suggested by Lady Ethel Lee and adopted as the national signature program. In 2011, The Society Song was penned by Lady Alethia L. Spraggins, and in 2019, the phrase “Supporting the Arts” was added as a permanent subtitle to “The Society, Incorporated” to better communicate our mission.

Since delegates adopted the National Constitution and Bylaws on April 25,1992, The Society, Incorporated gained momentum and celebrated many key milestones. The 16 National Founders and Charter Members were: Celeste W. Burton; Jean Dobbins; Alyce Gaither; Carolyn Hyman; Judine Bishop Johnson; Ethel R. Lee; Davetta Madison; Frances W. Moore; Dorothy Patton; Anna Pendergrast; Barbara Quick; Myrtle Roane; Patricia Robb; Dolores Spaulding; Patricia Stokes; and Evelyn Syphax. Elected national presidents include: Dr. Judine B. Johnson (1992-1996); Dr. Freddye T. Davy (1996-1997); Dr. Carolyne Lamar Jordan (1997-2002); Dr. Jacqueline Bontemps (2002-2007); Dr. Alethia L. Spraggins (2007-2011); Antoinette Carter (2011-2015); Julia A. Pollard (2015-2019); and Dr. Gwendolyn B. Lee (2019 – 2023).

The administration’s first chartering was the Baltimore Chapter, in 1987. Thirteen more chapters were chartered during the first decade. As of April 2021,The Society, Incorporated has grown to more than 600 members in 30 chapters. National Conferences have been held in the following locations: Washington, D.C. (1988); Baltimore, MD (1990); Lakeland, Fl (1992); Washington, D.C. (1994); South Carolina (1996); Arlington, VA (1998); Savannah, GA (2000); Richmond, VA (2002); Montgomery County, MD (2003); Los Angeles, CA (2005); Memphis, TN (2007); Prince George’s County, MD (2009); Chesapeake, MD (2011); Potomac River, VA (2013); Delaware Valley Philadelphia, PA (2015); Tidewater Newport News, VA (2017);

Celeste W. Burton Founder

and Greater Detroit, MI (2019). The 2021 Virtual 18th Biennial Conference is the first of its kind, hosted by the Greater Atlanta, GA Chapter.

Chapters have fully embraced the national goals and objectives by investing well over $60,000 to support youth arts initiatives in underserved communities. Society chapters and the NEB have creatively met and overcome the challenges presented by the 2020-2021 Covid-19 Pandemic. Traditional instruction, learning opportunities and Student Talent Showcases have been delivered to broader audiences through virtual platforms. Accommodations were also made to offer virtual summer arts camps, recitals, concerts, and coaching sessions. The national “Black Lives Matter” competition was a huge success and allowed young people to present their talents and earn substantial financial awards in all genres of the arts.

The Society, Incorporated Supporting the Arts recognizes the importance of partnering with the broader arts community. Chapters have successfully worked with state and regional grant agencies to secure supplemental funds for local arts education initiatives. At the national level, the organization became a Major $25,000 Benefactor Contributor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C. Conference delegates voted to formally establish a national foundation as a separate entity to manage the expansion of fundraising and philanthropic ventures.

The Society, Incorporated Supporting the Arts has two renowned artists inducted as Honorary Members. Daphne Reid, an actor, producer and cinema director, was inducted in 2013. Virginia Johnson, Creative Director of the Dance Theater of Harlem, was inducted in 2015. In 2018, Dr. David Driskel, a world-renowned artist, art historian and curator, was inducted as an Honorary Friend, and in 2021, highly acclaimed artist Jonathan Green was also inducted as an Honorary Friend.