crispus attucks anniversary special section

8/18/2019 Crispus Attucks anniversary special section

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History remembers the Boston Massacre in March 1770 as thefirst fight in the buildup to the American Revolution. Five died that

day, including Crispus Attucks, said to be an offspring of an Africanman and a Nantucket Indian mother. Attucks and four others killedthat night became martyrs. York’s Crispus Attucks Association is

named after the man who became a hero as ‘the first to defy, the

first to die’ on America’s road to freedom.

making historyby james mcclure and ted sickler

CelebratingCrispus Attucks75 years • 1931-2006

did you know?Before the Crispus Attucks

Center was formed, twostruggling agencies servedthe needs of York’s growingblack community. In 1930,

York’s Welfare Federation, a

forerunner to the United Way,called in New Yorker Dr.

Ernest T. Attwell to bring TheCommunity House and the

Emergency Girls Club

together.

in his own words‘For 40 years I struggled against separate schools, formore learning opportunities for Negroes of all ages.

There were disappointments and victories.’The Rev. Thomas E. Montouth,1968

a history lessonThe call of jobs during the years of pre-Depressionindustrial growth drew thousands of black people

northward. Many stopped in York, the first factory-ladencity on the railroad, north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

The Rev. Thomas E.

Montouth Sr.’s FaithPresbyterian Churchsponsored The Community

House, a forerunner of the

Crispus Attucks Center.

For complete series, see w2.ydr.com/news/blackhistory. Photo and story credits: Crispus AttucksAssociation;York County Heritage Trust; James McClure: “Never to be Forgotten,” “Almost Forgotten.”


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Crispus Attucks established its first center in the former YorkHospital nurses’ building, West College Avenue and Oak Lane, in

1931. The hospital had moved to its current site in 1930.



did you know?Five hundred people attendedthe Crispus Attucks Center’s

opening ceremony on March 9,1931, and more than 3,000

toured during the public eventthe next day. The opening cameafter Dr. Ernest T. Attwell, field

director of the Playground andRecreation Association of

America, came from New York toYork in 1930. His mission was to

pull together York’s two,

often-feuding, agencies into onestrong group.

in their own words

‘The Women’s Clubs bans her. The Girl’s Club ignoresher. The Salvation Army refuses beds to her brothersin black because a white down-and-out man refuses

to be near him. A man without manners has theprivilege of ordering colored girls moved from besidehim in a theater. Her boys have no boys club except apoolroom. The Social Service club does not invite her.The Community Circle changes the game when the

next turn is hers.’Community House officials write York’s Chamber of

Commerce, 1922

a history lessonYork County’s black population doubled between 1920

and 1930 – from 1,416 to 2,977 – as those in theSouth sought work above the Mason-Dixon Line.

Dr. George W. Bowlesserved as master of

ceremonies at CA’sformal opening. He

was head of York’sInter-Racial

Commission, amongnumerous other civicduties.



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For three decades, Helen Reeves Thackston directed York’s firstday-care program for the black community. She headed CA’s

program from 1932 to 1964. ‘Helen didn’t just teach children, shetaught them to be proud,’ Sylvia Newcombe, retired YorkRecreation Commission head, stated in 1979. A neighborhood

park in York is named after Helen Thackston.



did you know?Helen Thackston was the first staffer of what became

a core of CA workers who provided continuity foryears. Edward R. Simmons replaced Chester Hayes,

CA’s first executive director, in 1943 and served until1962. Mildred J. Chapman supervised women’s andgirls’ activities from 1941 to 1965. Wade Bowers

started his long stint as education director in 1952.

the words of others‘During the lean years of the Depression, and for

some time afterward, Helen Thackston received nopay for conducting her pre-school classes. She taught

children between the ages of two and five how todress themselves, to eat properly, to say please andthank-you, to make things out of glue and paper and

Popsicle sticks, and to read and write.’

York Daily Record, 1979

a history lessonAt the time of its founding in 1931, York’s CrispusAttucks Center had a counterpart in Lancaster. Ruby

Baker, director of the Red Rose City’s CrispusAttucks, spoke with enthusiasm about York’s new digs.

Lancaster’s Crispus Attucks organization continues tooperate today, as do about 10 other similarly named,but unaffiliated, centers in the United States. Many of

the centers, as did CA in York, formed to providesocial, service and recreational opportunities for black

people in the age of segregation.



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St. Luke’s sanctuary had been converted for multi-purpose usewhen this calisthenics class was working out in 1946.



a history lessonCA’s founding officers: W.W. Thackston, president;Henry Hopewell, secretary; Susie Murray, financial;

Chester N. Hayes, executive director. Founding board

members: Clarence Jackson; Dr. George W. Bowles;John Williams; Julia Craig; Mary Turner; IreneHawkins; Basil Biggs; R.B. Dennis; W.H. Felton; LeahHopewell; Etha Armstrong; Charles Copewell; HelenBowles; J.G. Cooper; Joanna Harris. A mixed-race

advisory board also provided counsel.

did you know?

CA’s East Maple Street centercame about this way: St.Luke’s building became

available after its congregationhad helped form the new St.

Paul’s church on South GeorgeStreet. In 1939, St. Paul’s, then

at King and Beaver streets,

had burned down, and itsmembers joined with St. Luke’sand Augsburg’s congregations

to build a new house ofworship that stands today. YorkCity Hall was erected on theformer St. Paul’s site in 1942.

The Crispus Attucks

Center moved to 1902-vintage St. Luke’sLutheran Church, 125 E.

Maple St., in 1944, seenhere near the end of its

center use in the late1960s.



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Queenie Rhoades and CA Executive Director Edward R. Simmons

hold a painting of renowned contralto Marian Anderson, who was

no stranger to York residents. She performed in York in 1941.



a history lessonContralto Marian Anderson

and tenor Roland W. Hayes,billed as the foremost black

singers in America,captivated an audience of600 at the William Penn

High School Auditorium in1941. The singers’

repertoire ranged fromNegro ballads and spirituals

to interpretations of Frenchand Italian compositions. A

newspaper reported that themixed audience of whiteand black music lovers

provided equal doses ofapplause and requested

numerous encores.

did you know?In 1944, community leader Dr. George W. Bowles

noted that York was making history in opening its newcenter on East Maple Street. ‘Today in Germany,because of the arrogant bigotry of the so called

superior race, no such dedicatorial ceremony wouldbe possible,’ he said. The Crispus Attucks Associationwas a character-building organization, and charactermattered. Such was missing in Germany. ‘The loss of

a firm national character and the degradation of anation’s honor,’ he said, ‘is the inevitable prelude to

that nation’s destruction and decay.’

The sanctuary of the formerSt. Luke’s church providedroom for a variety of

activities, plus its stage putthe spotlight on all kinds ofevents. Here, Philadelphia’s

John Davis pumps York-made iron in 1947.



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Some Crispus Attucks Association activities took place outside its

East Maple Street Center. Here, seven-year-old Robert Woodyard,son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Woodyard, York, wins the flower box

division in a garden contest sponsored by CA’s Pinafore Club in1948. The second-grader was the youngest of 12 children.



did you know?Tillman Sease, Mel

Ransom, William Myers,Lois Lambert, Abe Ritter

and Carrie Ford wereamong college graduates

benefiting from CA’sprograms in the center’s

early years.

the words of others‘York’s elementary schools are mostly segregated, but

athletes from both black and white schools competeagainst each other on the field in 1941. Boy and girlteams from the Smallwood School win the annualelementary school track and field meet staged at

Small Athletic Field. ... A list of the competing schools

gives a glimpse at the schools in York: Smallwood,Ridge, Franklin, Noell, Pine, Roosevelt, AquillaHoward, McKinley, Jefferson, Central, Garfield,

Stevens and Hartley.’

James McClure’s ‘Almost Forgotten,’ 2002

a history lessonJoanna ‘Aunt Jo’ Harris served on CA’s first advisory

board. To honor her, a lane near her West PrincessStreet home received the name Aunt Jo Lane in

1980.

Hannah Johnson, 14-year-olddaughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Marshall Johnson, York, poseswith some of the zinnias androses that won her top honors

in CA’s contest for flowergardens in 1948.



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The period between 1944 and 1960 represented the most

memorable moments of the center’s first 50 years. These staffmembers, pictured in 1953, provided a framework for the CrispusAttucks Center during many of those years: Standing, from left,

Edward R. Simmons; William D. Barber; Wade Bowers. Sitting,

from left, Helen Thackston; Hilda Carter; Mildred J. Chapman.



did you know?USO activities for black

servicemen in World WarII took place at the

Crispus Attucks Center.CA sponsored dances,

mushball games anddinners and also sent

junior and seniorhostesses to dances at

Fort Indiantown Gap. TheUSO at CA faced the

same challenge as other

such homes away fromhome for servicemen: a

shortage of hostesses. Anumber of young women

attended college or

worked in defense plants.Still, more than 100

senior and juniorhostesses were available

at CA when the need for

them arose.

the words ofothers

‘What the Negro leadersof this community arehoping for is that thepurchase of the new

Crispus Attucks home is

the beginning of a betterunderstanding of theproblems we have created

for the Negro and awillingness on our part as

well as on the part of theNegroes to attack thoseproblems together in the

spirit of our common

brotherhood and commoncitizenship in our

democracy. If there is anycharity involved, it is thecharitable attitude of ourNegro citizens toward our

shortcomings.’

The Gazette and Daily,upon the East Maple

Street center’s opening,1944

Crispus Attucks’ Midget Leaguechamps in 1953. Team members:

from left, Teddy Hartzog, Billy Moss,Charles Crist, Lee Calhoun and Joe

Watkins.



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Participants show off their puppets at CA’s East Maple Street

Center in 1953.



in his own words

‘In the future Negro people will have many new doorsof opportunity open to them. To you boys and girlswho hope to spend your time marching, what will yoube able to do with your new opportunities? It will notfit you to accept a job in the diplomatic service or in

an engineering firm. You must have a firmbackground. No matter how hard the dog barks, themountains do not fall down. That requires hard work.In all your doings, then, think clearly before acting.’

CA Executive Director Edward R. Simmons, on

protest marches, 1949

a history lessonYork’s black community headed into the 1950swithout the considerable leadership of Dr. George W.Bowles, who died in 1951. For decades, he and theRev. Thomas E. Montouth had been the foremost

spokesmen in the York area on issues affecting blackpeople.

Crispus Attucks Center congratulated the more than 100

volunteers who contributed time to the center. Pictured here, CA’sboard in 1953: George A. Webb, Sr., bookkeeper; WadeRobinson, Thomas Chatman; Dr. O.H. Kimbrough, president;

Irene Grimes, secretary; Rodger Woodyard; George A. Palmer; J.Fred Moore. Absent: Mrs. Rosetta Washington; Mrs. H. Pappe.



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The CA girls basketball team scored a 30-2 record in 1953.Sitting, from left: Betty Calhoun, Mary Jackson, Stumpy Rhoades,

Loma Martin, Marie Ritter. Standing, from left: Moe Muldrow,manager; Sylvia Colston; Jannie Harley; Audrey Folk; William

Barber, coach. Rhoades and Calhoun served as co-captains.

Crispus Attucks newsletters pointed out that the crowds at

Crispus Attucks game were often larger than those attending local

high school events. The Crispus Attucks boys basketball team lostonly to Harrisburg in compiling a 34-1 record in 1953. Teammembers, sitting, from left: George Wilson, Leon Walker, Art Carr,Dave Sweeney, Ike Way. Standing: Moe Muldrow, manager;

Robert Mosley; Dan Williams; William Ferguson; Tom Montouth;Clyde Williams; William Barber, coach. Absent: Herman Walker.



in his own words‘This is the season for many contests and

tournaments giving participants the opportunity to testthe various skills that were developed during the year.

However, it is not good reasoning for participants toenter these contests only when they feel that they areclassified as championship timber. As a matter of fact,

champions are made not born. In fact, everychampion has, one time or another, suffered

humiliating defeat.’CA Executive Director Edward R. Simmons, 1952



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Crispus Attucks Pinafore Club members enjoy tea in 1953.

Members here include, seated, from left, Mae Jenkins, SadalNimmons, Mrs. Jones, Thelma Kell, Virgie Charms, Mrs. Simmons,

Mattie Chapman; standing, from left, Rosetta McKinney, MildredChapman, Vivian Homes, Sylvia Woodyard, Creola Liggins andBeula Green.

Irene Grimes presents ping pong tournament championshipawards to eight girls in 1953. Receiving awards are, from left,Pauletta Morton, Mary Jackson, Joan Stokes, Lorraine Ashe,

Sandra Green, Helena Posey, Leona Williams and MildredChapman, women’s and girls’ department supervisor.



did you know?A burning debate found its way onto the pages of theCA Herald in 1950: Should there be a pool table for

girls at CA? Some responses:Don Riveria: ‘In a democracy there should be no

discrimination against persons because of sex. The

question should have been, “Do you think there areenough girls in CA who want to play?”

Almarie Smallwood: ‘No, I don’t think pool is a goodgame for girls. Just to come to the center to play pool

would not seem nice.’

Dorothy Hayman: ‘Yes, I think that the center shouldput a pool table in the girl’s room ... I think we would

enjoy it.’

Lawrence Sweeney: ‘Heaven forbid. What willwomen want next? ... It would make them look

manish. It’s bad enough to have them running aroundin overalls.’



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Music played a key part in the Crispus Attucks Center’s programsfrom its earliest days. Director Emanuel Washington, front row,

center, is shown with the Community Chorus of York in this

undated photo.



did you know?Wade Bowers earned a

bachelor’s degree in music

theory from MorehouseCollege in Atlanta, performedas a professional singer andpianist for five years beforeturning to civic work at the

Harlem YMCA and elsewhere.The tenor started his 20-yeargig with Crispus Attucks in1952. He was called out of

retirement in 1992 to serve asinterim president of the local

chapter of the NAACP.

the words of others‘When we sang, he made it our calling. I can still

remember many of the songs we used to sing. Wesang in Italian and in other languages. We sang songsfrom operas. He gave us songs that carried us

through. He demanded that we get the best and bethe best that we could be.’

Longtime teacher/administrator

Dr. Julia Hines-Harris’ memories of Bowers

For years, Wade

Hampton Bowers III, aformer professional

musician, headed CAmusic and educationalprograms. He died at the

age of 87 in 1993.



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The sign with the Crispus Attucks Girl Scout troops says it all. Thetroop took a three-day field trip to New York and Canada in thesummer of 1954. Well, not all. The CA Mother’s Club sponsoredthe trip.

In 1956, representatives of Charles E. Williams American Legion

Post 794 present flags to Crispus Attucks Girl Scout Troop No. 83.Members of the troop in those years included J. Mae Hines, M.

Hawkins, B. Lambert, P. Liggett, N. Jean Miller, E. Morton, P.Morton, L. Williams, J. Cuthrell, D. Posey, M. Kirkland, J. Rice, J.

Simmons, C. Williams, K. Taylor, G. Thomas, A. Sexton and E.Young.



in their own words‘How to make love.’

‘As of January 1 all persons not having membershipcards will not be eligible to participate in organized

activities at the center. Excuse the misleading title butunder such a popular heading we are assured of a

wide reading – aren’t we devils?’

CA Herald, December 1949

‘Teen-Town socials and dances: Girls wear nylons, nosocks or blue jeans; boys wear jackets and no

overalls. Act like ladies and gentlemen.’CA Herald, March-April 1951



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Intermediate students at Crispus Attucks Center enjoy movies,

games, music – and treats – during Christmas festivities, 1954.



the words of others‘Those who went to C.A. in those old days, very rarely

got into big trouble, because they had a foundation,even though everything at home was not so rosy.

They always could go to C.A. It was a place for joyand happiness, where you could learn something, and

a place just to keep warm.’

York City Schools teacher/administrator Dr. Julia Hines-Harris, about CA in the 1950s

‘As the burnished leaves of autumn fell, basketball

found itself in full swing. The Girls and Boys team are

well into their schedules and members have foundthat winning a game is quite a tasty dish as far aseating the fruits of competition is concerned.’

James Spells, CA Herald, 1952

did you know?In the 1950s, the Rev. Thomas E. Montouth, CA

library committee chair, selected books for the center

using Martin Library’s discount. A selection follows:J.A. Rogers’ World’s Great Men of Color

Francis Ullman’s Girl Alive Anna May Jones’ Leisure Time Education

Robert C. Weaver’s The Negro Ghetto

Willis Richardson’s Negro Plays and Pageants Richard Wright’s Black Boy



14/30

Mary Lou

Kirkland andJonathan ‘Joe’Stokes

perform

pantomime inthe teen talentshow.



in their own words‘We would get excited about issues such as wanting

the Teen Town dances to last until late in the evening.Or we argued to have them turn the lights down. We

knew they wouldn’t go for it, but tried anyway. I stayedthere until I went off to college in 1958. It was an

exciting place to be.’

Teacher/administrator Dr. Julia Hines-Harris, about CAin the 1950s

‘C.A. was a focal point for keeping the family together.It kept the kids off the streets and allowed parents to

send their children to a place they felt was positiveand safe.’

Civic leader Wm. Lee Smallwood, who still thinks of CA as his home away from home.

The Crispus Attucks Center’s annual report for 1955 showed adance routine at the Teen Town Talent Show. Hoofers are, fromleft, Ruth Hunter, Elizabeth Nelse and Mary Lou Kirkland.



15/30

Before the South Side Steppers came the Ballet and Tap Dance

classes at Crispus Attucks Center, then located on 125 E. MapleSt. This photo was taken in 1959.

The center served older girls, too. Here, Helynn Spencer, right,Troop 491 Girl Scout leader, discusses troop business with, fromleft, Mary Sims, secretary; Geraldine Wright, president; and

Leonora Spells, treasurer. This photograph was taken in 1961 – tohelp celebrate the 30th anniversary of the center.



did you know?In 1962, Executive Director Edward R. Simmons left

CA after 20 years to take a position with the stateHuman Relations Commission. One by one, HelenThackston, Mildred Chapman and other core staff

members retired. If the years between 1944 and 1960were CA’s golden years, the next 15-plus years would

be marked by changes in executive directors and staffand declining membership and programs.

a history lesson‘CA’s philosophy of recreation is the supreme

importance of the individual and the significance ofour democratic ideals. People who play together can,

and will, find wholesome avenues for living andworking together in peace and harmony.’

Executive Director Edward R. Simmons, 1960



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By 1971, Crispus Attucks’ 125 E. Maple St. center, required majorrepairs. The turn-of-the-century former St. Luke’s Lutheran Church

was not built for the rigors of basketball and other sports events.‘Basically it was falling apart. The auditorium was on the secondfloor, a long flight of stairs up, the only large room in the place. It

was used as gymnasium, meeting place, concert hall. Theactivities were on the first floor and in basement, but you could

hear noise from the top floor all the way down,’ York resident Alice

Bowers recalled. Here, Jesse Manning’s drawing of CrispusAttucks hangs in CA months before it gave way to a new center.



did you know?Excerpts from a CA fundraising brochure, 1971:‘York is no different than a lot of other communitieswhen it comes to having racial difficulties. ... We are

faced with the culmination of something that has beennurtured for generations. There is no overnight

solution, but there is a starting point. In York it is theCrispus Attucks Center.’

‘1944-1960: Membership peaked and then began a

gradual decline. Due to the lack of finances and withhard use, the building deteriorated. There was

difficulty in hiring and retaining staff. Programmedactivities diminished. Yet, Crispus Attucks Center

remained the sole resource available to the majority ofblacks in York.’

‘The ‘60’s brought about big changes. ... As localagencies dropped their color restrictions, the upwardly

mobile black families left Crispus Attucks Center andfiltered to the vastly superior facilities, programming

and staff offered by the white agencies.’

‘The thinking was that the other agencies would

quickly absorb the total black community. This was not

to be. Only a small percentage of blacks feltcomfortable.’



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This aerial view shows the newly constructed 605 S. Duke St.Street Crispus Attucks Center, lower middle. The site was formerlyoccupied by Calvary United Presbyterian Church, which merged

with Calvary and Trinity United churches.



in their ownwords

‘The new Center, as part of

the redevelopment of theneighborhood, will signifythat the community doescare about its low-income

citizens and minority

groups.’Fundraising brochure, 1971

did you know?A six-month fundraising campaign in 1971 netted

$645,000, contributing toward a $1.3 millionconstruction cost of the new Crispus Attucks Center,

lower center in photo. Elliott Breese, general managerof York’s Caterpillar plant, served as general

campaign chairman of a 22-member committee. IrvinA. Kittrell served as the center’s executive director.The cornerstone on the new center is dated 1973.

the words of othersLooking ahead

‘Are you in earnest? Seize this moment.What you think you can do, begin it!

Boldness has courage, power, magic in it.Begin, and the mind grows heated.

Begin, and the job will be completed.’

Sadie Orr Dunbar, Crispus Attucks Herald, 1971

The Jewel-Tone GospelSingers performed at thenewly opened CrispusAttucks Center on SouthDuke Street.



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Elliott Breese, York’s Caterpillar Plant general manager andCrispus Attucks’ campaign chairman, addresses a gathering at the

new 605 S. Duke St. center. William Wolf of Wolf Supply, a keymember of the campaign committee, wrote Breese: ‘In my mind,

the biggest single factor in the success of the Crispus AttucksBuilding Fund drive was your acceptance as general chairman.’ Dr.

Frederick D. Holliday, York City schools superintendent, is at left.



in his own words‘... The mission of Crispus Attucks is to improve the

quality of life for the citizens of York, especially thosewho are Black and oppressed. Major emphasis is to

improve health and employment opportunities,education and recreation for the Center’s participants.

‘In addition, it is the Center’s aim to teach the less

fortunate to become their own advocates andmediators. ... We can change the way things are. And,

of all the institutions in York, Crispus Attucks is thelogical choice to improve the quality of life among the

disaffected.’

York City Schools Supt. Frederick D. Holliday, CAannual meeting, 1975

the words of othersI got my freedom (excerpted)

‘I got my freedom when my brothers fought for thisland,

I got my freedom when they made those gallant laststands.

I got my freedom when my brothers were fighting to

be free,They were fighting for themselves, also for you and

me... .I got my freedom the hard way, I tell you no

lie,

If I ever have to give up my freedom I will rather die.’Samuel Beard, CA Herald, 1971



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This cover from Caterpillar World features Crispus AttucksAssociation’s Executive Director Bobby Simpson, a former Cat

worker. Simpson is largely credited with transforming CA from astruggling center when he took over in 1979, to an aggressive

community development agency today.



did you know?By 1979, Crispus Attucks, with a turnover of a half

dozen executive directors in seven years, had fallenon difficult times. ‘We needed a strong personality to

clean up things, to restore a sense of pride. Theanswer was right there sitting on the board, Bobby

Simpson,’ Board President Dan Elby recalled in 1994.‘He didn’t have fancy credentials behind his name,but other things can be more important; a sense of

life’s experience, leadership ability, the courage totake a risk and a big heart. Bobby had it all.’

in his own words‘Someone asked me what was the greatest speech

I’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard many great speechesby famous people... . (T)he speech which mostimpressed me was by a very poor, humble anduneducated lady, and the speech was short and

simple, yet it had a lasting impact on me, and it came

from my mother. She simply stated no one owed youa living in life, get it for yourself. This is what I live by,and what we try to instill and encourage our people at

Crispus Attucks to do ... .’

Bobby Simpson, in speech at Jackson Elementary

School



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A Crispus Attucks Day Care Center brochure shows worker Kathy

Bob enjoying tea time with some youngsters. The brochuresstates that if a child has a maximum opportunity for meeting his or

her own needs, with the help of an adult who perceives thoseneeds, he or she will be prepared for natural advancement.

‘He/She cannot help growing up!’ it states.

Building with mini-connectors develops small muscles andeye-hand coordination. And children at the CA day-care center,

serving toddlers to 14-year-olds, had fun, too. In this undated

photo, those served by the day care include: Meagan Fromm,Brian Grooms, Dinah Sanders, Abdul Buchanan and Luis

Sotomayor.



did you know?Crispus Attucks Center resumed offering day care for

preschool children in 1974 – a program started by

Helen Reeves Thackston in 1932 and operated underher direction for decades.

a history lessonOn its first anniversary, the Crispus Attucks Early

Learning Center received high marks from the stateDepartment of Welfare’s Office of Day Care Services.The highest praise comes for the teachers who are

‘constantly involved’ and ‘neither remote orlackadaisical in their program participation.’ Dolores

Borom directed the program, which operated under anadvisory board headed by Timothy Warfield.



21/30

This page from a Crispus Attucks Early Learning Centerclassbook, 1976-1977, shows teacher Kathy Weibel’s class of 8-

to 11-year-olds.



in his own words‘He told me he was hired to run the schools, not as a

civil rights leader. He told me I was here to runCrispus Attucks the best I could and to let the chips

fall where they may.’

Bobby Simpson, about mentor Frederick D. Holliday

did you know?Dr. Frederick D. Holliday, who left hispost as head of York City Schools in1981, tutored Bobby Simpson for two

hours every Wednesday for nearly

three years. Holliday was a CrispusAttucks member for seven years.

a history lesson‘Long as in freedom’ cause the wise contend, Dear to

your country shall your fame extend, While to theworld the lettered stone shall tell,

Where Caldwell, Attucks, Gray and Maverick fell.’Crispus Attucks Herald, 1971

SedneyPabon

captured theMiss CrispusAttucks crown

in 1980.



22/30

Michael Jefferson, employment director,

posed a question at Crispus Attucks’annual meeting in 1988. ‘My girlfriend,

Shirley Lambert Poe – will you marryme?’ After applause, someone shouted,

‘She hasn’t given an answer yet,’someone called out. Ms. Poe was

standing, covering her mouth with hands. Ms. Poe’s answer: ‘Yes.

Yes.’



in their own wordsThe Crispus Attucks time schedule for success‘If you’re early, you are on time. If you’re on time,

you’re late. But, if you’re late, you’re fired!’

CA Employment Center sign, 1992

‘Our staff is here because they want to be. That’sdifferent from someone who wants a job. We, as astaff, have to give blood, sweat and tears. ‘The kids

who come into Crispus Attucks have to work for their

memberships. They have to clean this building. Theyhave to put their hands on it.’

Bobby Simpson, 1992

a history lessonIn 1974, Roy O. Borom became the first black person

to serve on York City Council. Borom had come toYork to head CA six years before. ‘The current role of

the Crispus Attucks executive director shouldencompass a commitment to engage the larger

community in a mutual identification and alteration ofthose external forces ...,’ Borom said, ‘that representbarriers to the equal opportunity and full citizenship

status for Negroes and other underprivilegedcommunity residents.’ Wm. Lee Smallwood and Ray

Crenshaw also later served on council. Crenshawbecame the city’s first black mayoral candidate in

2001.



23/30

First Lady Barbara Bush gives high-fives outside Crispus AttucksCommunity Center. She visited in 1988 and 1992. ‘These

youngsters have had an experience that a lot of kids in thiscountry wish they had ...,’ CA Executive Director Bobby Simpsonsaid, ‘It’s something they will remember the rest of their lives.’



the words of others‘Here’s a center that has pulled itself together and is

doing something about drug abuse, affordablehousing, and day care. They’re taking the whole

community and trying to solve an enormous amount

of problems and that’s very exciting. ‘I think this will bea pilot program the rest of the country will want to

copy.’

Barbara Bush, during one of her CA visits

in his own words‘Due to the unique aspects of the facility, the childrenhave met with many visitors. They have entertainedtours from the Soviet Union; entertained and were

entertained by the Up With People cast; met

numerous commonwealth government officials; metpeople from other foreign lands; shared a latemorning with Miss America 1990: and, met – a

favorite among the children and staff alike – the FirstLady, Mrs. Barbara Bush.’

Longtime Associate Director Bob Hollis, ‘The World and I’ publication, 1992

‘Crispus Attucks is like the U.N. Every nationality thatis in York can come through these doors and feel

comfortable.’Bobby Simpson, 1992



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Crispus Attucks opened a Youth Mini-Mart in 1990 at its 605 S.Duke St. center to teach participants how a business operates andto provide an alternative learning setting. Students working

regularly and displaying a good attitude could gain points. Thepoints, translated into dollars, could be used for the personal

money management part of the program. The center and York-

based McCrory’s Stores oversaw the project.



the words of others‘For eight weeks, Jamus Bryant learned accounting,

inventory, merchandising and marketing.

‘Today will be the 14-year-old’s first day on the job.‘Jamus is among 100 middle school students enrolledin the Crispus Attucks Association Drug PreventionProgram that are learning how the free enterprise

system works by operating the new Youth Mini-Mart.‘ “This will give me a better chance at getting hired at

a store when I get out of school,” ‘ Jamus said.

York Daily Record, 1990

in his own words

‘We want to dispel the myth that the association is arecreation center. The problems in our community aremore serious than recreation. It is our responsibility totake care of the community. Too many times, it is tooeasy to push that responsibility off on someone else.’

CA Executive Director Bobby Simpson to Economics Club, 1990

A history lessonBlack people gained many firsts in the 1970s and1980s: Frederick D. Holliday became York’s school

superintendent and Doris Sweeney city schools firstblack female director. Thomas Chatman became

York’s police chief. Roy O. Borom gained a seat oncity council. Bobby Simpson chaired York’s Chamber

of Commerce. Prothonotary Mattie Chapman became

the county’s first black elected official.



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Sharon Oden was

the first person tosign a lease-purchase through

Crispus AttucksCommunityDevelopment Corp.

in 1991. Six York-area banks worked

with CA to providethe loan.Celebrating the sale

at 513 S. Duke St.are, from left,

Melinda Higgins, Historic York Inc., executive director; ElaineMiller, Drovers Bank mortgage office; Oden; Oden’s friend

William Orr; and Lance Jamison, property manager.

Crispus Attuck’s South SideSteppers, working here on their

routines in 1993, have wonnumerous state and national

drill team titles. Members musttake responsibility courses,

learning good manners,importance of following theGolden Rule and respecting their elders. The shadow of 7-year-old

Burgundi Miles is the tallest.



did you know?The name of Aunt LovieJamison, longtime CA

volunteer who wasconsidered to be themother of everyone,

graces the South DukeStreet Center’s snack bar

and an annual award

granted to communitymembers. Jamison wonthe first award named inher honor in 1993, and

Dolores Brown capturedthe Aunt Lovie Jamison

Personal Inspiration Awardthe next year for her

dedication, cheerfulness

and service to theassociation despite

serious health problems.After winning the award in

2002, Don Gogniat,

retiring from the CA board,said he even likes sayingthe name of the award,

‘Aunt Lovie.’

in his ownwords

‘We have been aroundCA for a long time. One

of the biggestchallenges we face as

an agency is to bring in

the next generation ofleadership, at both theboard and staff level, tocontinue what we have

started.’

Board President Dan Elby, active in CA since 1975, commenting in

1994 on his relationship with Bobby Simpson and Ray Crenshaw



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Children at Crispus Attucks Community Center recite a creedstressing education and a positive self-image at a ground-breaking ceremony for a $2.5 million education wing in August1992. Bobby Simpson, Crispus Attucks Association executive

director, listens to the youngsters. Crispus Attucks broke ground toadd 21,000 square feet to its structure at 605 S. Duke St. thatincluded classrooms that later housed YouthBuild Charter School,offices, game rooms, two computer centers and a senior citizenswing.



in his own words‘This new wing will focus on the preparation of our

youth for leadership roles in the community. Here atCrispus Attucks, we are constantly exposing our youth

to the positive aspects of our culture.... We all know

the importance of education; it is something no onecan ever take from you.’

CA board member Ray Crenshaw, 1994

Did you know?Crispus Attucks Summer Day Camp Creed

‘I am a positive individualready to navigate my life

in positive channelsThe world owes me nothing.

It is up to meto achieve

to live my lifeto plan my destiny

My plan is to succeed.’



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Longtime Crispus Attucks Associate Director Bob Hollis reads toTamasha Whitaker, Shayla Crenshaw, Tagee Nesbit and Kevin Hall

at the CA Early Learning Center in 1994.



did you know?Some parents send their children to the center

because they are looking for a multi-racialenvironment. ‘They recognize that this is what their

children’s life will be like in the future both in theschool and the workplace,’ Bob Hollis stated in a CAnewsletter, ‘and they want them to understand how to

deal with it.

In his own words‘Bob (Hollis) has been through more than anyone

should go through in a lifetime. He has been mentallyand physically abused for 13 years. He has been my

right-and left-hand man.’Bobby Simpson, 1988

‘I don’t think money can buy what Crispus Attucksgives.’

Bob Hollis, 1988

A history lessonThe 39,000-square-foot Loretta Claiborne Building onSouth George Street opened in 2001. The CA-ownedproject, costing about $5 million, housed classroomsfor Penn State York and York College; York HospitalCommunity Health Center; and other businesses.

Today, CA’s Boundary Avenue Project also includesthe commercial Greenway Tech Centre and the Junior

Achievement-occupied Himes building.



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Dorothy Orr reads to children during her day as director of theCrispus Attucks Early Learning Center in 1996. When asked about

the most rewarding part of her job, she said, ‘To see a child learnsomething and retain it.’ The most difficult part? ‘Stayingprofessional and being able to smile through it all.’



in her own words‘Staff turnover is usually very high in day care. But,

we have at least 10 people, who have been here for15 to 20 years. This tells you about the character of

the people at Crispus Attucks; we stick togetherthrough the good and the bad.’

Dorothy Orr, Crispus Attucks Early Learning Center

director

A history lessonU.S. Census figures show that 10,270 black people

lived in York in 2000. Blacks make up more than 25

percent of York’s population. Countywide, 14,095blacks make up 3.6 percent of the population in 2000.

Eight-year-old Montez Parkerreaches for a piece while playingLuke Warner at Crispus AttucksCommunity Center in 2000. The

twice-weekly program engages theminds of 20 or so players. Grelan

Holmes, South George StreetCommunity Partnership

Americorps, oversaw ‘The Game ofLife.’ ‘My focus is trying to help youth think properly. It’s the thoughtprocess,’ Holmes said. ‘If I can get some kids who can learn how

to think through the process of chess, once they learn tostrategize, and they learn they can apply it to everyday life they

won’t be so impulsive, and they’ll learn the consequence of theiractions. They will take time to look at the big picture.’



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Mary RoseDolce andJabbar Seasewere pleasedwith the towerthey built in

Dolce’spre-school classat CrispusAttucks EarlyLearning Center.

The teacher was one of 50nationally selected for a nationalchild-care teaching award in 2006.The award recognized teachers formaintaining high quality child-carepractices and dedication to theirstudents.

Jay Johnson, Victor Soto, and Davone Bethel paint railings on aSouth York Street property in York in 2002. The three werestudents at Crispus Attucks YouthBuild Charter School. Bethelcalled Youthbuild a great program where everyone worked as ateam.



did youknow?

In 1979, CA’s annualbudget was $300,000;

today, it’s $6.2 million.The Boundary Avenueproject is designed tohelp the organization

survive on its own. CA

also is planning tobuild a new day-care

center across thestreet from its current

location. As for the

future, ExecutiveDirector BobbySimpson’s dream is to

have a completeschool on the CA

campus, kindergartenthrough grade 12. The

school would offerstudents a solid

education, he said, sothat they could enterany college they want

anywhere in thecountry.

In her own words‘You can just see ... that they

really want to help you.’India Thompson-Beatty, 18,assesses CA’s Youthbuild

Charter School staff

A history lessonCA’s reach extends beyondYork’s black community. In

2004, of the 317 peopleresiding in CA-owned

housing, 58 percent wereblack, 37 percent Hispanic

and 5 percent white.



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The Steppers perform during RiverFest activities in Wrightsville in2004.



in her own words‘They must keep it going. It’s what brought us over.Where others had the YM or the YW, we had C.A.

They always did the most for us they could.’Former teacher/administrator Dr. Julia Hines-Harris,

casting a vision for children and youth at CA

A history lessonA 1971 fundraising brochure stated: ‘The Center was

established in 1931– a time when blacks wereexcluded from other agencies. Through the efforts ofa black man traveling from community to community,a group of local white citizens purchased a vacant

Nurses’ Home and donated it to the black population.Crispus Attucks Center has served as the hub ofYork’s black social, civic, cultural, educational and

recreational activities for 40 years.’Make that 75 years.

The Crispus Attucks South SideSteppers perform as part of Black

History Day at Hannah Penn MiddleSchool in 1996. The day’s events

included guest speakers IsiahAnderson from Crispus Attucks

YouthBuild, and Otis Williams of theNyumburu Cultural Center at theUniversity of Maryland; jazz and blues

music; and a fashion show of African clothes modeled by Hannah

Penn students.

crispus attucks anniversary special section

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