Explore Black History

1976

Founded by Pittsburgh Courier journalist C. Melvin Patrick, each yearly-issue of Delegate contains hundreds of photographs providing coverage of African American professional and fraternal organizations, special events, award recognitions, individuals of note, and newsworthy situations. The magazine was a virtual year in review of African American life in the United States during the 1960s and 1980s. Delegate magazines were distributed free of charge by African American organizations at their conferences and meetings. Coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the birth of the United States, this 1976 issue was dedicated to 200 years of contributions and achievements of African Americans.

A 1976 issue of Delegate magazine published by MelPat Associates. The cover of the magazine features a collage of cropped black and white photographic portraits. In the center is an angled blue square with text that reads [DELEGATE] in white text and [76] in striped red and white text, with a circle of stars in the center of the six [6]. Black text on the white spine reads [BI-CENNTENNIAL EDITION - DELEGATE 1976].
The magazine’s content opens on the first page with an editorial note titled “The Long Journey from the back of the bus,” about how this issue of the Delegate will focus on “200 years of Contributions Blacks gave this nation as part of our Bicentennial Celebration.” There is also a masthead reading [DELEGATE, 1976] and a table of contents.
The majority of this issue consists of a 137 page article titled “The Negro in America, 1550-1976.” The content then continues with articles and profiles of African American business organizations, business leaders, community organizations, sororities, fraternities, doctors, dentists, politicians, actors, and journalists. This includes the National Association of Black Social Workers, The National Caucus of Black School Board Members, Prince Hall Masons, Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Empire State Medical Association, National Newspaper Publishers Association, Links, Chi Delta Mu Fraternity, NAACP, Navy, Elks of the World, Democratic Party, Chi Eta Phi, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Common Cause Ladies, National Association of Business and Professional Negro Womens Club, National United Church Ushers Association, Eta Phi Beta Sorority, National Bar Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, National Urban League, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, NBC, National Medical Association, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, National Association of Negro Women, CBS, Shriners, Daughters of Isis, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Republican National Convention, Museum of Art, Whitney M. Young Classic, Black Caucus, 369th Veterans Association, Phi Beta Sigma, Paul Robeson and Langston Hughes, Edges,
The issue concludes with a “Lest We Forget” page with a list of individuals who had passed away, including Ezzard Charles and Paul Robeson. There are approximately 348 pages with black and white photographs and advertisements throughout, as well as a few advertisements in color. The back cover of the magazine features a full page advertisement for Kool cigarettes.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Books and Published Materials

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Anne B. Patrick and the family of Hilda E. Stokely

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2012.167.10

magazines (periodicals)

Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

ink on paper

H x W x D: 10 13/16 × 8 7/16 × 3/8 in. (27.5 × 21.4 × 1 cm)

Title • Delegate

nmaahc_2012.167.10

NMAAHC

DELEGATE

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1970s

Douglass, Frederick • Randolph, A. Philip • Parks, Rosa Louise • Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity • Hughes, Langston • Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. • Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the World • National Council of Negro Women • Chi Delta Mu Fraternity, Inc. • National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. • National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. • National Newspaper Publishers Association • McKinney Steward, Susan • MelPat Associates • Attucks, Crispus • Democratic Party • Prince Hall Freemasonry • Patrick, C. Melvin • Charles, Ezzard Mack • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. • Truth, Sojourner • Joplin, Scott • 369th Veterans Association • Republican Party • National Urban League • National Association of Black Social Workers • National Pan-Hellenic Council • King, Martin Luther • Garvey, Marcus • National Dental Association • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. • Scott, Dred • National Medical Association • Roberts, Sarah C. • Father Divine • Johnson, Lyndon Baines • Robeson, Paul • Congressional Black Caucus • Bethune, Mary McLeod • Shriners International • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People • Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) • Claiborne, Wanda Calvin • Evers, Medgar • Powell, Adam Clayton • Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. • Washington, Booker T. • Daughters of Isis • Johnson, James Weldon • Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc. • Carver, George Washington • Tubman, Harriet

New York City • Harlem • United States • North and Central America

Women • Black Press • Communities • Government • HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) • Religion • Sororities • Women's organizations • Fraternal organizations • Labor unions • Professional organizations • Journalism • United States History • Associations and institutions • Political organizations • Politics • Fraternities • Mass media • Society • Urban life • Advertising • U.S. History, 1969-2001 • U.S. History, Colonial period, 1600-1775 • Business

Locale • Harlem • City • New York City • State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Images

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