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A look into the origin/purpose of the Alumni Association
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History of Chapters Continued
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI Following their return from the Fourth Reunion of Classes in Little Rock, Arkansas in July 1979, a small group of determined alumni met at the home of Olivia Clark Hamilton to establish a Kansas City alumni chapter. The group initially named itself the KC Satellites but later withdrew the name when it was discovered the name to be in conflict with the national organization’s constitution. The first officers of the group were: · Billie Gene Duncan - President · Harvey Ray - Vice President · Olivia Clark Hamilton – Secretary/Treasurer Group activities and projects fell into three categories: Educational, Civic, and Social. A successful raffle provided funds for the chapter’s first scholarship presentation. Monetary contributions were given to the United Negro College Fund and the Kansas City Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs. Quarterly group visitations were made to active alumni’s churches in alphabetical sequence. A monetary donation was mad at each visit. Social events for the membership as well as for the community served to attract and retain members. The third national president of the NDAA residence was in Kansas City.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS The relationship between the original Little Rock chapter and the National Dunbar Alumni Association broke off after the Fourth Reunion of Classes held in Little Rock in 1979. Disagreement arose regarding certain policies and procedures and the Little Rock chapter’s refusal to share proceeds from the 1979 Reunion with the national body. The chapter refused to pay national dues and as a result, its members were not permitted to vote during the Fifth Reunion of Class in St. Louis, Missouri. The chapter continued to operate as an independent group. Most notable was the formation of a Dunbar Alumni Choir that performed throughout the city on various occasions. A new alumni chapter affiliated with the national organization was formed in April 1983 following intensive efforts by members of the Class of 1948, led by Jack Gilbert. Credit was also given to Don Walters, at the time National Parliamentarian, who provided the assistance which helped to expedite the process. Officers elected and later installed by the National President, Newton Long, were: Andrew Fingers, President Jack Gilbert, 1st Vice President Barbara Hill, 2nd Vice President Carl Hines, 3rd Vice President Erma Hendrix, Recording Secretary Golena Crump, Corresponding Secretary Henri Jean Carey, Financial Secretary Rasheedah Rahmaan, Treasurer Joe Williams, Chaplain Washington Adams, Sergeant-at-Arms George Walton, Parliamentarian
DETROIT, MICHIGAN At the 1971 reunion of the Class of 1936, held at the Downtowner in Little Rock, Don Walters was asked to coordinate a get-together in August, 1973. Unable to locate more than three member of the Class of 1936 who lived in Detroit and who could assist in the planning, Walters thought more and more about an alumni chapter which would include members of all classes. He initiated the formal organization of a Detroit chapter of alumni in October, 1972, with the able assistance and enthusiasm of Rosetta Settles. Walters fondly referred to the Detroit chapter as the “second chapter alumni”. The first officers were:  •	Don Walters, President •	Lois Williams, 1st Vice President •	Dorothy Simpson, 2nd Vice President •	Geraldine Guydon, Recording Secretary •	Leslie Barnett, Corresponding Secretary Walters, the world’s first black authorized General Motors Sales Representative, loved Dunbar High School and its alumni and worked diligently at local and national levels to promote the progress of the Association. He served as president of the Detroit chapter for a number of years. He was followed by Dan Settles, Reuben Harris, Ernet Broyles, and Gladys Broyles. The chapter met every second Sunday except during the summer and sponsored a number of projects for fun and fellowship as well as to provide support in community efforts. Those included Life Membership in the NAACP and a Heritage Membership; providing food baskets at Christmas-time to needy families; providing assistance and volunteer service to Focus H.O.P.E.; and awarding college scholarships to deserving students. Fun times included a Day at the Races in Wheeling, West Virginia; mystery trips; dinner theatre parties and cabarets. In 1991, Krajenke Buick Sales, Inc. announced the creation of the Babe Krajenke/Don Walters Memorial Fellowship Fund. The Fellowship was a gift of $1000 to be awarded to a worthy Detroit young adult (age 16-21) with a commitment to personal achievement in one of the following areas: community development; race relations; or academic excellence. According to Stan Krajenke, son of the founder of Krajenke Buick and now president, the fund is a tribute to his father and his good friend, Don Walters, “the best salesperson ever at Krajenke.” Babe Krajenke hired Walters in 1946 when there were few opportunities for blacks in the auto industry. For over forty years, Don consistently broke world records for individual sales and created an unforgettable legend and role model for his peers. The Fellowship was to be awarded annually in the Spring. •	Rosetta Settles, Financial Secretary •	Arthur Whyte, Treasurer •	Pearl McFadden, Program Chairman •	J. Edward Guydon, Chaplain  •	Dan Settles, Administrative Assistant previous next previous next previous
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