Negro Victory Committee (1941-1945)

The Los Angeles Negro Victory Committee was organized in 1941 to protest racial discrimination in industries throughout the city that barred African American workers.    Reverend Clayton Russell of the People’s Independent Church of Christ in South Central Los Angeles and Charlotta Bass, publisher of the … Read MoreNegro Victory Committee (1941-1945)

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Vancouver Branch

Vancouver, Washington Branch 1139 is the 1139th charter organization of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).  The Vancouver Branch was founded in 1943 during the surge in the African American population in the Portland, Oregon-Vancouver, Washington area in response to defense … Read MoreNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Vancouver Branch

President’s Committee on Fair Employment Practice (FEPC)

On June 25, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802, creating a Committee on Fair Employment Practices (FEPC) to investigate complaints of discrimination and take action against valid complaints in any defense industry receiving government contracts. President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802 only … Read MorePresident’s Committee on Fair Employment Practice (FEPC)

National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, NACW (1896– )

The National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc. (NACW), was established in July 1896 as a merger between the National League of Colored Women and the National Federation of Afro-American Women.  The merger enabled the NACWC to function as a national umbrella group for local … Read MoreNational Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, NACW (1896– )

National Black Feminist Organization (1973-1976)

Founded in May 1973, the National Black Feminist Organization (NBFO) addresses the double burden of sexism and racism faced by black women. The first meeting took place in New York City, New York and included prominent activists Michele Wallace, Margaret Sloan, Flo Kennedy, Faith Ringgold, … Read MoreNational Black Feminist Organization (1973-1976)

Central Contractors Association

In 1969, Walter Hundley, director of the Seattle Model Cities Program, encouraged local black independent contractors to organize in an effort to gain lucrative building construction contracts that required minority participation.  When the contractors responded, they selected Tyree Scott, an electrician, as their leader.  They … Read MoreCentral Contractors Association

National Negro Business League (1900 – )

The National Negro Business League (NNBL) was founded by Booker T. Washington in Boston, Massachusetts in 1900.  The league, which predated the United States Chamber of Commerce by 12 years, strives to enhance the commercial and economic prosperity of the African American community. The NNBL … Read MoreNational Negro Business League (1900 – )

Seattle Association of Black Journalists (1987- )

Five African American newspaper reporters founded The Seattle Black Journalists Association in 1987.  One of the goals was to counter the isolation black reporters felt at their respective news organizations in the Seattle area.  The National Association of Black Journalists recognized SBJA, as it was … Read MoreSeattle Association of Black Journalists (1987- )

32nd and 33rd WAACS Headquarters Companies (World War II)

Organized in the fall of 1942 in Iowa, the all-black Thirty-Second and Thirty-third Women’s Auxiliary Army Companies would become the first contingent of WAACS assigned to a military installation in the United States during World War II. Composed of nearly 200 auxiliaries and seven officers, … Read More32nd and 33rd WAACS Headquarters Companies (World War II)