Explore Black History

1981

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 1981 issue of Delegate magazine published by MelPat Associates. The cover of the magazine features a green ribbon badge that reads [1981 / DELEGATE] against a grid of black and white photographic portraits. Thirty-two (32) men and women are pictured, with the last name of everyone printed under his or her picture in black. The spine of the magazine is white with black text that reads [DELEGATE, 1981 - The 5th Year of the 3rd Century].
The magazine’s content opens with an untitled editorial note recounting events of the past year, including the election of Ronald Reagan and the rise of crime and resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan There is also a masthead, set in white text against a black background reading [DELEGATE, 1981], followed by a table of contents.
The content then continues with profiles of African American business organizations, business leaders, community organizations, sororities, fraternities, doctors, dentists, politicians, actors, and journalists. This includes WBLS, Kobrand Corporation, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, American Bridge Association, Inc., National Association of Black Social Workers, Interracial Council for Business Opportunity, 100 Black Women and 100 Black Men, National Association of Market Developers, Vulcan Society Inc., New York Association of Black Educators, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Opportunities Industrialization Centers of American, Bottle & Cork Sales Club, John Hunter Camp Fund, Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Chesebrough-Pond, ITT Continental Baking Co, Ciba-Geigy, 7 Up, National Urban Affairs Council, National Epicureans, National Newspaper Publishers Association, Top Ladies of Distinction, Black Music Association, The Links, Inc., NAACP, Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Carats, Inc., Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Chi Delta Mu Fraternity, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine, Daughters of Isis, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Gil Noble, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Black Caucus, Congressman Charles Rangel, Arthur Ashe, Charles E. Wright, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, Ralph J. Bunche, Lionel Hampton, Jackie Robinson Awards Dinner, Whitney M Young Football Classic, Beaux Arts Ball, Livingston S. Francis, Teixeira, Camp Atwater, The Squires, Harlem Commonwealth Council, National Association of Media Women, 369th Veterans’s Association, The Edges Group, Thurman Munson Award Dinner, and Boggs Academy. There are also features about Atlanta and Oak Bluffs.
There are approximately 352 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.

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

2012.167.15

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 × 1/2 in. (27.5 × 21.4 × 1.3 cm)

Title • Delegate

nmaahc_2012.167.15

NMAAHC

DELEGATE

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1980s

National Association of Black Social Workers • Connectional Lay Council • National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Inc. • WLIB • National Dental Association • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority • Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. • National Medical Association • Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity • Interracial Council for Business Opportunity • Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. • Alliance for Women in Media • Chi Delta Mu Fraternity, Inc. • National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. • National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. • The Links, Incorporated • Bunche, Ralph • American Bridge Association • Opportunities Industrialization Center of America, Inc. • Congressional Black Caucus • Morehouse Alumni Association • National Newspaper Publishers Association • Holmes Norton, Eleanor • MelPat Associates • Shriners International • National Urban League Guild • Hampton, Lionel • Prince Hall Freemasonry • National Urban Coalition • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People • Carats, Inc. • Patrick, C. Melvin • Claiborne, Wanda Calvin • One Hundred Black Men, Inc. • Morris Brown College • National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education • Vulcan Society • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. • Daughters of Isis • Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc. • Jordan, Vernon • National Association of Market Developers • Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) • National Urban League • Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.

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

Women • Black Press • Communities • Government • HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) • Religion • Sororities • Women's organizations • Fraternal organizations • Labor unions • Professional organizations • Journalism • Associations and institutions • Political organizations • Politics • Fraternities • Mass media • Society • 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 • City • Atlanta • County • Fulton County • State • Georgia • Locale • Martha's Vineyard • City • Oak Bluffs • County • Dukes County • State • Massachusetts

Images

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