Explore Black History

1986

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 1986 issue of Delegate magazine published by MelPat Associates. The cover features a grid of black and white portrait photographs against a bright yellow background. Twenty-eight (28) men and women are pictured; five (5) more appear obscured by the blue ribbon badge located at the top left. Text on the ribbon reads [1986 / DELEGATE]. Near the center is a photograph of C. Melvin Patrick, four times as large as the others. In the photograph, Patrick wears a dark colored hat and eyeglasses. He is holding a phone receiver to his proper left ear with his left hand and smiling at the camera. Black text to the right of Patrick's image reads [IN MEMORIAM / 1914 / Welcome / and / Farewell / 1985 / C. Melvin Patrick]. In the lower right corner is an illustration of a single hat and a camera with a strap hanging on a coat rack. The spine of the magazine is white with black text that reads [DELEGATE, 1986 - The 10th Year of the 3rd Century].
The magazine’s content opens with the message [This Issue Is Dedicated To C. Melvin Patrick] and an obituary of Patrick written by Cathy Connors. This is followed by a masthead, set in white text against a black background reading [DELEGATE, 1986], and a table of contents.
There is then an article titled “Black History in the Making in the Corporate World,” a calendar of the year’s conventions, and an article titled “Mel Patrick’s Harlem.” The content then continues with profiles of African American business organizations, business leaders, events, community organizations, sororities, fraternities, doctors, dentists, politicians, actors, and journalists. This includes the NAACP, National Urban League, N.Y.S. Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, Valentine Party, Jesse Owens International Trophy Award, Howard University, Medgar Evers College, The Links, Inc., Beaux Arts Ball, Frederick Douglass Awards Dinner, Morehouse School of Medicine, 369th Veteran’s Association, Prince Hall Grand Lodge, John Hunter Camp Fund, National Association of Market Developers, Top Ladies of Distinction, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Carats, Circle-Lets, Ourmen, National Medical Association, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Chi Delta Mu Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, National Bar Association, National Association of Negro and Professional Women’s Club, Harlem Day Parade, Marathon Runners, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Oak Bluffs Tennis Club, Cora Walker, Mother Hale House, The Winfield Foundation, Alice Kornegay, Communications Excellence to Black Audiences, The Edges Group, Coalition of 100 Black Women, Congressional Black Caucus, Associated Black Charities, American Cancer Society, 100 Black Men, Inc., Dorothy Pitman-Hughes, National Funeral Directors and Morticians, Comus Social Club, E.P.C. International, Inc. The issue concludes with an extended tribute to C. Melvin Patrick and the history of the magazine.
There are approximately 288 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 Benson and Hedges cigarettes.

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

2012.167.20

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 × 5/16 in. (27.5 × 21.4 × 0.8 cm)

Title • Delegate

nmaahc_2012.167.20

NMAAHC

DELEGATE

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1980s

National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Inc. • Pitman Hughes, Dorothy • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. • Hale, Clara • National Medical Association • Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. • Chi Delta Mu Fraternity, Inc. • National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. • The Links, Incorporated • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. • Medgar Evers College • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. • MelPat Associates • National Bar Association • Shriners International • Morehouse College • Kornegay, Alice • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People • Prince Hall Freemasonry • Carats, Inc. • Patrick, C. Melvin • Claiborne, Wanda Calvin • One Hundred Black Men, Inc. • National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education • 369th Veterans Association • Howard University • Walker, Cora • National Association of Market Developers • National Urban League • Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.

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 • 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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