Activities Among Negroes

By Delilah L. Beasley

This column has for years given much publicity to the observance of Race-Relations. While it has not been generally observed in Oakland, nevertheless during the past year, race-relations have made tremendous strides in this city. Nearly every Sunday evening during the past winter one or two church choirs from the Negro churches have rendered the music in some church of another race.

The spirit of cooperation between the races was definitely established during national Negro History Week which was observed in this city by an exhibit of Negro books and pictures of outstanding Negro writers, painters, sculptors and musicians in the Oakland Free Library which was daily visited by many people representing all races. At the end of two weeks, every book that had been printed on the book marks the library gave away was reserved by someone who wanted to read a Negro book.

But the citizens are to have a great demonstration of cooperation on Tuesday, April 15, at 7:45 p.m. when there will be an interracial meeting in the First Congregational church Twenty-sixth and Harrison streets. This meeting is being sponsored by the Oakland Council of Church Women under the leadership of their newly elected president, Mrs. G. D. Spencer and with Delilah Beasley as chairman of arrangements.

The meeting will be addressed by Mrs. Emerich, secretary to Federal Council of churches commission on "International Justice and Goodwill." The music for the occasion will be rendered by the choir of Taylor Memorial A.M.E. church which will sing a group of Negro spirituals, while Taylor Davis, the son of Lillian Jetter Davis, will also sing a group of classical numbers, and one Negro spiritual, "Go Down Moses." Others taking part in the program will be Rev. W. Byer, Mrs. L. Sledge, president of northern district California Federation of Colored Women's clubs, George Martin, and ministers from both races. The public will be welcome.

MUSICAL CONCERT SUCCESS

One of the most successful musical program rendered this season was sponsored by Mrs. Gladys Brown, president of Young Women's auxiliary First A. M. E. church, Fifty-first street, last Wednesday evening when she presented Mrs. Leota Anderson in recital. She rendered an entire program, part classical and with Negro spiritual music. Her sustaining tones and range together with her ease of execution excited admiration. Mrs. Brown is to be congratulated upon the success of the concert while congratulations and good wishes were showered upon Mrs. Anderson by all who were privileged to hear her in the recital.

LINDEN BRANCH Y. W. C. A.

The eleventh national convention of the Young Women's Christian Association will convene at Detroit, Michigan, April 25 to May 1. The Linden branch Y.W. C. A. will be represented by chairman of the committee of management, Mrs. Allen O. Newman and the house committee, Mrs. Anna Hogan, both of whom will be delegates. They plan to leave Easter Sunday, April 20.

Miss Lulu Chapman, executive secretary of the branch leaving for the east April 16. During her stay she will visit a number of branches and also plans to attend the convention at Detroit.

EASTER BREAKFAST

The third annual Easter breakfast sponsored by the Business and Professional Girls' department of the Linden branch Y. W. C. A. will take place on April 20. Miss Alice Moor, who recently told of her trip to Palestine at a tea held at the branch, will bring the Easter message. Those who have heard Miss Moore will not want to miss this inspirational message. Excellent musical talent has been secured. The chairman for the breakfast, Miss Althea Clark, has planned the breakfast very carefully and it is expected to be a great success.

U. N. I. A. NOTES

The Oakland division of U. N. I. A. No. 188, celebrated last Sunday "Garvey Day," with a special program prepared by W. A. Dean, chairman of program committees and publicity, who acted as master of ceremonies.

After the reading of the president-general's message the principal speaker of the day, Mrs. C. S. Gilbert, was introduced, and delivered an address on "Human Life" after which remarks were made by Rev. J. K. Fletcher, presiding elder of African Episcopal Methodist church for Northern California. This was followed by the reciting of an original poem by C. E. Wilson. It was entitled "Loyal to the Race." Miss Bessie Turner sang "Ave Maria."

WINS IN FINALS

The following is an extract from a clipping sent from the Washington Evening Star, which states: First Finalist "plea for colored race" wins praise. Robert Harlan judged first in Cardoza oratory finals. Speaking on the "Negro and the Constitution," Robert J. Harlan, colored, made an impassioned plea yesterday afternoon for equal rights for his race, winning the oratory competition at Cardoza high school and making sure of a place in the Star area finals of the seventh national editorial contest.

Harlan is the first Iocalist to be selected this year. With the victory goes a prize of $100. The winner was one of six students, two boys, and four girls who had been selected by the committee of teachers in charge to take part in the last stage of the contest.

"Using the low point total system under which 3 would be a perfect score with all of the judges agreed on the best speaker and 18 the worst score with all of judge unanimous in their designation of the poorest orators, Harlan received 5 points.

"Young Harlan 19 years old and the youngest son of Robert D. and Nettle Harlan of 1238 Irving street. He is a member of the school baseball, football and basketball teams. Following his graduation in June he plans to enter Columbia University to study accountancy."