Explore Black History

1969

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.

A 1969 issue of Delegate magazine published by MelPat Associates. The cover of the magazine features yellow, blue, and pink ruffled round ribbon badges against a plain white background. Each badge has a different colored center with [DELEGATE] across it. Surrounding the badges is [1969] printed in pink and repeated three times. On the first page is an editorial note with text that begins:
[DELEGATE is published by MELPAT ASSOCIATES as a good well venture on behalf of its advertisers for the benefit of the organizations highlighted and for the information of our readers.
DELEGATE is a semi-in depth presentation of biographical material and pictures of persons and organizations in the Negro community who by their actions and capabilities are contributing to the advancement of the Negro communities in cities throughout the United States and by these contributions are advancing the cultural, economic, educational, fraternal and civic as well as civil rights for Americans during these challenging sixties.]
The magazine opens with a long feature article by Allan Schoener, curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibit, “Harlem On My Mind,” with photographs from the exhibition on the history and people of Harlem. Throughout are articles and profiles of African American business leaders and organizations including the National Newspaper Publishers Association, National Insurance Association, American Bridge Association, National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Federation of Masons of the World, National Medical Association, National Dental Association, National Dental Assistant’s Association, National Dental Hygienists Association, and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. There are also profiles and articles about community leaders, organizations, and events such as the NAACP 1969 National Convention, Morehouse College, including alumni Julian Bond and Martin Luther King, Jr., Prince Hall Lodge, National Urban League, the National Pan-Hellenic Corporation, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, 70th Elks Grand Lodge Convention, Daughters of Isis and the Imperial Council of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Also included are mentions of performers and artists Raymond St. Jacques, Leontyne Price, Richard Hunt, Diahanne Carroll and Sammy Davis, Jr. as well as an article on the community of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.
There are approximately 150 pages with black and white photographs and advertisements thorughout, as well as a few advertisements in color. The back cover of the magazine features a full page advertisement for Johnny Walker Red scotch.

Transcribed by Digital Volunteers

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

2012.167.4

magazines (periodicals)

Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

ink on paper

H x W x D: 12 × 8 7/8 × 3/16 in. (30.5 × 22.5 × 0.5 cm)

Title • Delegate

nmaahc_2012.167.4

NMAAHC

DELEGATE

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1960s

Metropolitan Museum of Art • National Pan-Hellenic Council • King, Martin Luther • National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Inc. • National Dental Association • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority • Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity • National Medical Association • Motley, Constance Baker • Ali, Muhammad • Freemasonry • Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the World • New York Giants • Schoener, Allon • National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. • St. Jacques, Raymond • Price, Leontyne • Hoving, Thomas • Sutton, Percy Ellis • American Bridge Association • Olive, Milton Lee • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. • National Newspaper Publishers Association • MelPat Associates • Shriners International • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People • Patrick, C. Melvin • Van Ellison, Candice • Powell, Adam Clayton • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. • Mays, Willie Howard • Daughters of Isis • Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc. • Chisholm, Shirley Anita • National Urban League • Carroll, Diahann

New York City • Harlem • United States • North and Central America • Massachusetts • Martha's Vineyard • Oak Bluffs • Dukes County

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

Locale • Harlem • City • New York City • State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • Locale • Martha's Vineyard • City • Oak Bluffs • County • Dukes County • State • Massachusetts

Images

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