Excerpt
This series began as a project of the African American Heritage Society of Long Beach (AAHS-LB). Members expressed a desire to research, document, and preserve the History of African Americans in the City of Long Beach, California. This is an ongoing project and anyone wishing to contribute information for future volumes should contact our society. Membership in our society is open to anyone interested in the preservation of the History and Heritage of Blacks/African Americans. The Heritage of African Americans in Long Beach is a project to preserve:
* The early history of African Americans in Long Beach, California * The History of African Americans who have made significant contributions to the City of Long Beach * African American Churches in Long Beach * African American Organizations in Long Beach * African American Community Leaders and Activists in Long Beach * African American Historic Sites on the National Register * African American Music in Long Beach * African American Literature in Long Beach * The History of Education and Schools in Long Beach * Family Histories * African American Educators/Elected Officials * African Americans in Sports * African Americans in Business * African American Pioneers in Employment
Since it would be impossible to put over one hundred years of history into one book, our society decided to do a series of books. In each volume, we hope to include more and more history of our ancestors and their descendants. The AAHS-LB Board of Directors will make the final decision on editing and which articles will be published in each volume.
Volume 1 begins with a dedication by Indira Hale Tucker, Co-Founder and President of the AAHS-LB. The acknowledgement is given by Doris Topsy-Elvord, Co-Founder and Parliamentarian of the AAHS-LB. Project Consultant Claudine Burnett, contributes the foreword for this book. She is the former head of the History Department at Long Beach Public Library. Aaron L. Day, Charter Member and AAHS-LB Vice President writes the Introduction for this volume.
In chapter one, noted historian and history teacher Dr. Kaye Briegel, reviews information about the history of African American people in Long Beach. Beginning with the formation of Christ Second Baptist Church, Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the new Polytechnic High School Dr. Briegel, outlines how and why these important institutions started. United States Census Schedules and City Directories from 1910 through 1930 gives us a glimpse of the African Americans who were living in Long Beach during that period. The black population of Long Beach and different job categories available for men and women are also presented for review. In 1996, Researcher and Writer James H. Clayton compiled Untold Legacies A Photographic glimpse of early Long Beach black pioneers. Some of his observations are included here. This chapter also includes selective news articles from the time.
Chapters two through nine focus on the history of African Americans in Long Beach through church activities, education, politics, sports, arts, entertainment, and more. Many individuals and groups are highlighted and a great amount of detail is given. Of special interest are the community leaders and activists who have made and are continuing to make our community a better place to live. In future volumes we hope to include more detail on as many groups and individuals as possible. Chapter ten gives the history of the AAHS-LB from its founding, incorporation, and up to the present time. Also, Genealogy/Family History research is briefly covered, with steps given on researching, documenting, and preserving history. A very special feature of this book is the important information included after Chapter ten of this book in Appendixes I through IV.
Appendix I outlines the 1910 Long Beach Census non-white. Judi Cameron, who is a library volunteer, compiled this report in 2003. Appendix II outlines African Americans in Long Beach City Directories 1919-1926 by Anne Belle Rice. Both were compiled under the direction of Claudine Burnett.
Appendix III lists African Americans in Long Beach from the 1920 U.S. Census Schedule. In Appendix IV the 1930 Census Schedule gives the African Americans who were living in Long Beach during that period. Information about these individuals include; age, marital status, place of birth, occupation and more. Under the direction of Claudine Burnett, Long Beach Public Library Staff & Volunteers compiled Appendix III and IV in 2004.
As we continue researching, documenting, and preserving the history of African Americans in the City of Long Beach we welcome your contributions of pictures and articles. We hope that this book will be a source of pride for our community. Our goal is to inspire other groups and individuals to document and preserve their histories. With the publication of this book we reinforce the vision of the AAHS-LB. That vision is to expand public awareness of black achievement as inspiration for all Americans.
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