Wall Street Report- March 12, 2019

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. KAPPA XI LAMBDA CHAPTER WALL STREET REPORT MARCH 12, 2019

Assoc. Editor to the Sphinx Mohamad Merilan

BROTHER W.E.B. DUBOIS, HENRY STREET SETTLEMENT AND THE FOUNDING OF THE NAACP People across the world have heard of, and many have benefited from, the work of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The organization was founded over 110 years ago on February 12, 1909 in New York City. On May 30, 1909, Brother W.E.B. DuBois presided over a critical meeting that was instrumental in the development of the NAACP. Many prominent members of New York society were present at the Niagara Movement conference on May 30, 1909 held at Henry Street Settlement. At that historic conference, a group identifying as the “National Negro Committee" established what we now know as the NAACP. In the platform adopted by the National Negro Committee, they denounced "the ever growing oppression of our 10,000,000 coloured fellow citizens as the greatest menace that threatens the country." The name of the organization changed from the National Negro Committee to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at a second conference on May 30, 1910. Brother DuBois served as the Director of Publicity and Research.

Founded in 1893 by social work and public health pioneer, Lillian Wald and based on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Henry Street Settlement delivers a wide range of social service, arts and health care programs to more than 50,000 New Yorkers each year. Distinguished by a profound connection to its neighbors, a willingness to address new problems with swift and innovative solutions, and a strong record of accomplishment, Henry Street challenges the effects of urban poverty by helping families achieve better lives for themselves and their children. Henry Street has a staff of 450 fulltime and 400 seasonal employees, an active Board of Directors, partnerships with several organizations, including the Wall Street Alphas, and a burgeoning alumni network.

Henry Street Settlement, circa early 1900’s

Henry Street Settlement (265 Henry Street New York, New York 10002) circa 2014

The Henry Street Settlement dining room where W.E.B. DuBois presided over the meeting that led to forming of the NAACP.

ΑΦΑ fraternity Brothers stand with Leon Russell, Chairman of NAACP board of directors and Derrick Johnson, NAACP CEO

On February 16, 2019 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the NAACP at their annual board of directors meeting in New York City. The MOU will allow the two advocacy organizations to formally collaborate nationally, regionally, statewide and locally on education & outreach, civic engagement, issue area advocacy priorities, leadership development, membership and community building.

The legacy of W.E.B. DuBois lives on in the organizations he was affiliated with. His early leadership in the development of the NAACP show that one’s actions can have a lasting, positive impact on society.Â