BROOKLYN CLUB HISTORY AND MISSION
Welcome to our 56TH Annual Founders’ Day Observance Awards and Scholarship Presentation. Ollie Chin Porter, formed the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. These women were dedicated to promoting and protecting the interest of African American business and professional women; to serve as a bridge for young people seeking to e
nter business and the professions, to improve the quality of life in their local and global communities and to foster good fellowship among all people. In 1944, our illustrious National President Ruth Handy, called together twenty-one prominent African American women of Brooklyn, New York, to organize the Brooklyn Club. These twenty-one women included some of the first African American Public School Teachers, Doctors, Journalists, Funeral Directors, Social Workers, Music Teachers, and other Entrepreneurs. The club received its national charter in November 1945 in Chicago, Illinois at the National Convention. Brooklyn Club Charter Members: N. Bostic, D. Chapman, E. Charlton, G. Dickerson, D. Dillard, M. Dabney, M. Foster, A Griffin, Ruth Handy, D. Harris, Mrs. Jackson, M. Johnson, E. Martin, E. Miller, A. Pearsons, V. Powell, D. Spaulding, B. Thompson, M. Walters, and B. Wright. The Brooklyn Club is still strong, utilizing the diverse skills and talents of its members, along with community partners to provide Hybrid workshops. Presently, its members are engaged in planning and executing programs in areas around the National Program focus of LETS: Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Technology, Service Programs (HEED): Health, Education, Employment, and Economic Development, six Special Programs. addressing current critical issues within our country, including triple negative breast cancer, domestic violence, emergency preparedness, community policing, human and s*x trafficking prevention awareness, maternal mortality, and morbidity awareness. The Brooklyn Club serves VOA-Domestic Violence Residence in Brooklyn that house victims 0f domestic violence since 1997. A “Beyond the Basics” computer literacy program with The Dr. Betty Shabazz Attain Computer Lab, for over twelve years. The Youth Division of the National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women’s Clubs that inspires young people to get involved in their communities and develop leadership skills that will change the world. The Brooklyn Youth Club embraces these principles and serves our Brooklyn community with commitment and enthusiasm. The Brooklyn Club supports its Youth Club and community youth by providing mentoring and encouraging leadership development and volunteerism. Each year, The Brooklyn Club awards scholarships to college-bound high school seniors and college students seeking to further their nursing education. Three legacy scholarships, Annie B. Hunter Nursing Scholarship, the Lillian E. deVere Teacher’s Education Scholarship and the Audrei Boyce Youth Community Service Scholarship. Several of members of the Club have traveled to Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Benin, Ethiopia, South Africa, Cameroon, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Australia, South America, and the Caribbean with the International District of the NABPWC, Inc. Spreading their volunteer spirit these women effect positive changes in the lives of suffering women, children, and families they encounter. In the last ten years we have collaborated and supported financially the “Liberia Project” with Tubman University’s Nursing program, recognizing graduating senior students who have successfully completed their College of Health Sciences, Baccalaureate Nursing program, the Pageant, COVID-19 PPE distribution and the “Stop R**e” campaign in Liberia, Africa. As an international partner we act as a fundraising arm to support the efforts to build a Safe House in Harper City, Maryland County for Homeless, Vulnerable Survivors of R**e. Our Club Sister Iona Thomas-Connor, RN, MA, Brooklyn Club, Director of Health, and Wellness has dedicated her efforts and partnered, organized, and executed all forementioned initiatives. During the Club Founders’ Day Observance, the Brooklyn Club takes the opportunity to honor and thank deserving individuals in the Brooklyn Community and beyond, who have given outstanding service or have achieved substantial goals. The Founders’ Day Observance is also the occasion to award the highest honor given by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC. Inc.) the Sojourner Truth Award.
