THE BETTER WE KNOW US ...
THOMASVILLE—A man who has
done as much, or more, for Thomasv-
ille as any other man and is weU-
respected for it is the REV. WILLIAM
E. BANKS. Rev. Banks is presently
the pastor of First Baptist Church and
has been since 1959.
Rev. Banks was born November 22,
1927, in Edenton, N.C., into the
family of Mr. and Mrs. Jahovah and
Rachel Banks. He attended public
schools in Edenton, graduating from
Edenton High School in 1948.
His thirst for further education led
him to Saint Augustine’s College in
Raleigh, N.C., where he received his
B.S. degree in 1953. He received his
B.D. degree from Shaw University,
Raleigh, in 1956. He pursued further
study at A&T State University where
he received his M.A. degree in 1974;
and did his graduate work at Howard
University in Washington, D.C.
From 1956 to 1959 Rev. Banks
taught at Richard B. Harrison High
School in Selma, N.C. While teaching
he also pastored the Zion Tabernacle
Baptist Church of Corapeake, N.C.
Rev. Banks is affiliated with a
number of local, national, and political
organizations. He is a member of the
Progressive National Baptist Conven
tion, the North Carolina General
Baptist Convention, the Rowan Associ
ation, NAACP (Thomasville Branch),
President of the North Carolina
by Miller Carter, jr.
Convention of SCLC, member of the
Board of Directors of Thomasville
Church Homes, Inc.
He has also served as a veteran of
World War II during which he was on
active duty in the State and European
Theater.
Aside from the responsibilities of
pastoring First Baptist Church, Thom
asville, he also has served in many
official capacities. Some of which
include being President of the Thomas
ville Branch of the NAACP in 1962
and Director and Advisor of North
Carolina’s Youth Councils. He was
elected State Chairman of the Minis
ters’ Conference of the NAACP in
1965, ran for Cjty Council in 1965,
fly
ran for General Assembly in 1966 -
67, assisted in the organization of the
Davidson County Community Action
Program and is a member of the Board
of Directors.
Adding further to his credentials,
the Rev. Banks participated in the
Meredith March in Mississippi and was
Transportation Officer when the “poor
people” went to Washington, D.C. He
worked with Robert Kennedy in the
primaries in several states and with the
Republican National Committee dur
ing Richard Nixon’s campaign in
1968.
Community-wise, Rev. Banks has
organized church groups to act as
THE TR BUNAL AID
A VIABLE, VALID REQUIREMENT
RESPONDING TO
BLACK NORTH, CAROLINA
r -
VOLUME III, NO. 21
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15,1975 $5.00 PER YEAR PRESS RUN 8,500
MEMBER:
North Carolina Black Publishers Association —, North Carolina Press Association. Inc.
Leadership And Unity Breeds Success
Notes & Reminders
GREENSBORO
(YMCA MODERN DANCE
CLASSES BEGIN)
Hayes-Taylor YMCA is
offering Modem Dancing to
youth and adults beginning
Tuesday, October 21, 1975.
Classes will meet Tuesday and
Thursday evenings, 6:30 p.m.
until 7:30 p.m. Register to
day for this dynamic class.
For further information call
or come by Hayes-Taylor
YMCA, 1101 E. Market Street,
Phone: 272-0197.
HIGH POINT
(SR. CITIZEN’S
ADVENTURES)
If you are 60 years of age
or older the High Point Paries
and Recreation Department,
in conjunction with Astor
Dowdy Towers, is forming
two interesting trips, at nom
inal charges, for your enjoy
ment. Sunday, October 19,
an afternoon trip to Greens
boro is scheduled to see the
Holiday on Ice program.
Ticlcets are $2.50 up.
Wednesday, October 22, a
bus trip to the State Fair in
Raleigh is being planned. The
entire trip, excluding food,
will only cost $3.00. Please
call Astor Dowdy Towers,
885-4414, now, for reserva
tions and further information.
(BI-CENTENNIAL
I POSTER CONTEST)
Bi-Centennial I is a poster
contest sponsored by the
High Point Jaycees for all
students attending High Point
City Schools. Students may
enter one poster in one of
three categories: FESTIVAL,
dealing with events leading up
to the signing of the Declara
tion of Independence; HERI
TAGE, which deals with the
battle of Guilford courthouse;
and HORIZONS, dealing with
the future of Guilford County.
Savings bonds will be given as
prizes in each category, and
judging will be on the basis of
appearance and originality.
Funner information about
the Bi-centennial I Poster
Contest can be had at all city
schools. Posters must be
entered at the Jaycee Office,
508 North Hamilton Street
during the week of October,
1975.
For further information.
please contact Chip Watkins,
885-5732 or 883-7210.
(Y.W.C.A.
Fourth St. Branch)
Monday thru Friday —
Adult Day Care, 8 a.m and
After School Care, 3 p.m.
Wednesday (Oct. 15) Gym
nastics, 3 p.m., Y-Teen Club,
6 p.m.. Open Recreation, 7
p.m.
Thursday (Oct. 16) Piano
Lessons, 4:30 p.m.. Peace
makers Club, 4:30 p.m.
Friday (Octo. 17) Gymnas
tics, 3 p.m., Gymnastics (4-6
yrs.), 7 pm.. Open Recreation,
7 p.m., Gymnastics (6-12
yrs.), 8 p.m.
GASTONIA— It was in
January, 1941, that Charles
Hall approached Nathaniel
Barber with the idea of open
ing some type of business
with a small group of civic-
minded, Black persons who
showed signs of interest in
the future growth and devel
opment of Gastonia. Mr. Hall
had spoken to other persons
along this line but few
seemed to have been interest
ed. So, in January 1941, after
several meetings, from house
to house, the EXCELSIOR
BUSINESS MEN’S LEAGUE
was organized with W. A.
McCallum as its President.
The name “EXCELSIOR”
being chosen by R. L. School
er.
For 15 months, this small
group of 20 men met month
ly at Sanders & King Funeral
Home paying dues of 25
cents per month and fines
that the law imposed. After
15 monghs of running along
at a “hit and miss” kind of
way, the little organization
that had made various com
munity contributions, to the
Red Cross, March of Dimes
and the Boy Scout movement,
was at a loss for a definite
program.
It was in March 1942, that
N. Barber, who was then
President, in search of a
definite program brought to
this small group of men the
suggestion of the State Credit
Union idea.
After inviting a Nfr. Draughn
of Lincoln Academy to come
to the meeting, bring literature
and talk vrith the group in
detail about the workings
of credit unions, Mr. Draughn
suggested even more. He
recommended that Mr. Gra
ham, the Superintendent of
Credit Unions from Raleigh,
be invoted to give us the
information first-hand.
Continued on Page 2
EXCELSIOR CREDIT UNION OF GASTON COUNTY
GASTONIA—EXCELSIOR CREDIT UNION OF
GASTON COUNTY — Your credit union provides a range
of important financial services to its members. Excelsior
Credit Union of Gaston-County with assets of more than
$2,185,000, offers excellent returns on passbook savings
and low interest rates on all loans. Members also enjoy
banking by mail, drive-in banking, and loans for automo
biles, homes, home improvement, education, vacation, and
Xmas Savings Club. 206 W. Page Ave., Gastonia, 28052,
(704) 865-1273 or 865-1274.
Leaders Honor Dr. Cousin
Gaston Boy's Club Builds
Good Citizens
GASTONIA— In the fall
of 1957, a group of Gastonia
Citizens under the leadership
of D. E. Ramsuer met at St.
Peters A.M.E. Zion Church
with the idea of establishing a
Boys’ Club. With the coopera
tion of the Regional Office
of Boys’ Qubs of America
the group adopted the name
“Gaston Boys’ Club”, and a
Board of Directors and Offi
cers were elected.
This organization was char
tered by the State of North
Carolina on April 6, 1959,
and was at once affiliated
with the Boys’ Clubs of
America, Inc., the National
Organization founded in
1906 and chartered by Con
gress in 1956.
On February 1, 1960, the
Gaston Boys’ Club, Inc.,
launched a campaign and
urged county-wide support
for the rapidly expanding
movement. The campaign
closed with $56,537.75 hav
ing been pledged in support
of the effort. In the fall of
1960, the Board of Directors
f 1
saw fit to purchase a valuable
site for the club on North
Dallas Street in Gastonia
whereon was located three
residences. A sufficient a-
mount had been paid on
pledges to convert one of the
residences into a temporary
club building and to com
mence club operation. Mr.
Glenn T. McLinnahan of
North A&T College was em
ployed as Executive Director
and the club opened its
doors on December 21,1960.
Seventy-nine boys rushed in
and joined that day.
In 1966, Boys’ Club mind
ed citizens put into motion a
Fund Raising Campaign for
a much needed new home for
the boys. The community
responded magnificently, con
tributing $75,000.00 for the
construction of the main
building, which was dedicated
on June 4, 1967. The cam
paign was continued until
another $9,000.00 was raised
to build the adjoining gymna
sium, which was dedicated in
1969.
At the Gaston Boys’ Club
“fun” is believed in - but
“fun with a purpose”. The
purpose of being able to
prepare our youth as a happy
and productive member of
today’s society and the society
of the future.
The primary mission of
the Gaston Boys’ Club is to
assure and enhance the quality
of life for boys with special
concern for those from dis
advantaged backgrounds. Pres-
DURHAM—C o ngres sman
Ike Andrews leads a parade
of North Carolina leaders in
honoring Dr. Hiilip R. Cousin,
pastor of St. Joseph’s A.M.E.
Church and candidate for
Bishop of the A.M.E. Church.
The gala affair will be a
testimonial banquet, Friday,
October 17, 1975, Royal
Villa Motor Inn, Raleigh,
North Carolina, 7:00 p.m.
Outstanding guest such as
Mr. J. H. Wheeler, President
of Mechanics & Fanners
Bank; Mr. J. S. Stewart,
President of Mutual Savings &
Loan Association; Dr. J. D.
Davis, Presiding Elder of the
Western District of Western
North Carolina Conference of
A.M.E. Church; and Mayor
Clarence Lightner.
Philip Robert Cousin is the
Pastor of St. Joseph’s A.M.E.
Church, Durham, North Caro
lina and is currently celebrat
ing his 10th Anniversary as
Minister of this outstanding
congregation.
He has prepared himself
for his ministry and is the
ently there over 350 boys
enrolled in the club served by
three professional staff mem
bers, and several part-time
and volunteer workers.
Programs are divided into
five categories: (1) INFORM
AL EDUCATION: Teaching
skills which have a positive
influence on boys. Encour
age and guide the educational
and vocational preparation
for a happy and productive
adult life. Includes library
programs, tutoring program,
nutrition education, and vo
cational guidance.
(2) GROUP GUIDANCE:
To help boys recognize and
respect others as individuals
and work for a better under-
Continued on Page 7
recipient of the following
degrees: Bachelor of Arts in
Philosophy, cum iaude; Mas
ter of Theology; Doctor of
Ministry in Black Church
Studies, through the Martin
Luther King Fellowship from
Colgate Rochester Divinity
School (he was one of only
20 ministers in the nation so
honored); Honorary Doctor
of Divinity from Kittreil
College, where he served as
President (1960-1965).
Dr. Cousin, an untiring
leader, has served the Durham
community well for the past
ten years.
As a political leader. Chair
man of the Political Sub-
Committee of the Durham
Committee on the Affairs of
Black People, he has worked
hard to elect public officials
and to build a strong com
munity through active politi
cal participation.
His service in education is
commendable, presently serv
ing on the Durham County
School Board, Board of Trust
ees, Fayetteville State Univers
ity, Lecturer at Duke Univers
ity, and also having served as
Lecturer at the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
North Carolina, and South
eastern Theological Seminary,
Wake Forest, North Carolina.
In the Durham community,
he has been active in address
ing the needs of the total
community through member
ship on the Durham County
Board of Social Services,
Durham County Child Guid
ance Qinic and hist Chairman
of the Durham Human Rela
tions Commission. He is also
a member of the Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity and a 33
degree Mason.
As pastor of St. Joseph’s
A. M. E. Church, Reverend
Cousin has led this dedicated
congregation to accept the
church’s total ministry,
thrpugh the construction of
complete religious facilities
which will be completed in
December of 1975.
Presently, Dr. Cousin seeks
a higher office and a larger
service as Bishop for the
A.M.E. Church. The A.M.E.
Church has never elected a
Bishop from the State of
North Carolina and Dr. Cous
in’s chances of being elected
Bishop are excellent. However,
he must travel throughout
fifty (50) states, Central and
West Africa, to get his message
over to the over 2,000
delegates to the General Con
ference.
The Boosters Club, an
auxiliary of St. Joseph’^AJME.
Church is sponsoring this
Testimonial Dinner as a fund
raising effort to «upport Dr.
Philip R. Cousin’s Candidacy
to the Episcopacy of the
A.M.E. Church.
Reverend Cousin is married
to Margaret Joan Grier of
Winston-Salem, North Caro
lina, and they are the parents
of five sons: Philip Jr.,
Steven, David, Michael and
Joseph.
Black Artist $ Wanted
by Miller Carter, Jr.
Staff Reporter
HIGH pointed spark
the interest of the young and
the “not so young” artists
in High Point, the Parks and
Recreation Department is
sponsoring classes in Arts and
Crafts which are t)eing held in
various community centers
throughout the city.
These classes are offered
for those who wish to devel-
ope or broaden their talents
in the areas of painting,
drawing, printing, sculpture,
pottery and stitchery for
both the young and the old.
A small fee of Three Dollars
is being charged for the
drawing and stitchery classes
and a Five Dollar fee is being
charged for the painting
a studio arts class at the
Hillside Center which is open
to adults only (ages 16 and
over).
Wednesday mornings from
9 to 12 is devoted to the
small children in the Pre
school Art Program and is
held at the Leonard Street
Center. This program is de-
i voted to pre-school children,
nurseries and babysitters who
want to put something differ
ent into the pre-schoolers’
day. Also on Wednesdays
there will be an oil painting
dass from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
offered to adults at the
Leonard Street Center.
Oaatinued~on Page 6
jReading
The schedule of classes is
as follows: Mondays Adult
Drawing Classes are held
at the Oaliview Recreation
Center from 6:00 p.m. until
8:00 p.m. Also, Arts and
Crafts for Senior Citizens is
held at Astor Dowdy Towers.
Tuesday evenings from
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m there is j
LBusiness & Finance..
Editorials
Education
Entertainment
iHotes & Reminders.
[Obituaries
rReiigion...
|Sports
Youth
iSUPPORT THE ADVERTISING MERCHANTS OF THIS, YOUR NEWSPAPERI