The New York Renaissance all-Black Basketball Team

According to blackfives.org, the New York Renaissance (‘Rens’), organized in 1923, was the first all-Black and Black-owned professional basketball team.  The team’s home court, the Renaissance Ballroom in Harlem, New York, became so because real estate agent William Roach made an agreement with the team’s manager, Robert “Bob” Douglas, to allow the team to host their home games in the ballroom in exchange for naming the team after the venue.  Original players included Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Clarence “Fats” Jenkins, James “ Pappy” Ricks, Frank “Strangler” Forbes and Leon Monde.  The Rens played against and beat white basketball teams in leagues that would not even permit Black men to play.  For more information on the first all-Black, Black-owned basketball team, and other ‘Black Fives’ visit www.balckfives.org. 

Source:

1)  Photograph and Information Source: New York Renaissance (‘Rens’). (2003). Retrieved February 12, 2017, from http://www.blackfives.org/new-york-rens/

The Encyclopedia of Chicago offers great insight into the inaugural National Negro Congress, which was formed on February 14, 1935 and lasted until February 16, 1935.  Their purpose was to pressure “New Deal” administrators for labor and civil rights.  The congress of 800 delegates met at the Eighth Regiment Armory on Chicago’s south side and discussed matters concerning Black folks including sharecropping, women and labor, the arts, businesses, and interracial organizing.  Per the Encyclopedia of Chicago, this inaugural congress also focused on matters of social justice, protesting discrimination in the local nursing home and police brutality, which adds to why the congress’ memory need not be suppressed in present day America.  For more information, visit the Encyclopedia of Congress. 

Sources:

2) Photograph source: Zuhri , %. (2014, February 14). National Negro Congress – February 14th in African American History. Retrieved February 12, 2017, from http://todayinafricanamericanhistory.com/february-14th-in-african-american-history-national-negro-congress/

3)Information source: Gellman, E. (2005). National Negro Congress. Retrieved February 12, 2017, from http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3214.html