Originally published in The Paper, April 1970. Dates, prices and contacts are historical; current availability is not established.
The Black Nationalists have recently acquired facilities at 5585 Pershing Ave. The building was originally built for a Jewish school in the early part of the century. Two long corridors lead off from an elaborate double-staired lobby. One is struck immediately by the bright red-and-black motif that has been maintained throughout the quarters.
A large recreation hall is where hop sessions are held on weekends. After a meeting, jazz sessions are held on Sundays at 8 p.m. for the adults. On Mondays at 7 p.m. an astrology class is offered to the public. Behind the hall is a large kitchen which is used for refreshments and special parties.
Mrs. Leonard Tinker from the Southern Illinois University Delinquency Study Center in Edwardsville, is currently serving as a consultant to help the Black Nationalists prepare a grant proposal under the Federal Delinquency Act of 1968.
The library, still in its fledgling stage, is made up of books contributed by friends and benefactors. It is still in need of shelves, books and good current periodicals. The library is one of the most important things the organizations wants to develop, along with a black-history studies program for the youth of the area.
Across the corridor is a small recreation room with pinball machines and pool table. These have been preserved in good condition by the youth, who are left on their own to maintain them.
Across the hall are a number of sewing machines which will be used in the near future for sewing classes on Monday evenings.
Floyd Johnson, the Black Nationalists’ Minister of Education, has the goal of providing relevant black education to the black people of this area interested in knowing how to better pursue their political, social and economic rights.
Angered at the bad image their group has acquired, Brother Theodore, Vice Chairman of the Black Nationalists, stated: “To verify our sincerity we invite any person of any race, group or organization to call Pa 7-3805, or sit down at the conference table with us, where we may discuss, possibly iron-out, our differences and clarify some of the false accusations that have been directed to our organization.”
Originally published in The Paper, April 1970.
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Original source: SD_Times1970_04.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
