Belford Lawson Jr.
Belford Lawson Jr. | |
---|---|
Born | Roanoke, Virginia, U.S. | July 9, 1901
Died | February 23, 1985 Washington, D.C., U.S. | (aged 83)
Alma mater | Howard University Yale Law School University of Michigan |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Known for | New Negro Alliance v. Sanitary Grocery Co. President of Alpha Phi Alpha President of the YMCA |
Belford Vance Lawson Jr. (July 9, 1901 – February 23, 1985) was an American
Early life
Belford Lawson was born and grew up in
After graduating from college in 1924, Lawson taught at Morris Brown College and worked in the life insurance industry. He then attended Yale Law School, followed by enrollment at Howard University School of Law, from which he graduated in 1932.[1][7]
Career
In 1933, Lawson founded the New Negro Alliance (NNA) in Washington, D.C., along with
In 1934, Lawson encouraged
Lawson was part of the legal team that won Henderson v. Southern Railway Company (1950), challenging the Interstate Commerce Commission's approval of railroad racial segregation practices. The lawsuit resulted in the abolition of segregation in railroad dining cars.[1]
Lawson was the 16th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek letter organization established by African Americans.[11] The fraternity sponsors an annual Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest. Collegiate members compete in oratorical skills at the chapter level, with the winner competing at the state, regional, and general conventions. The fraternity says "the purpose of the Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest is to identify problems or special topics of interest within society and determine how the problem or topic relates to the goals and objectives of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated."[12]
In 1973, Lawson was elected president of YMCA of the USA. He continued to be active in law and civic activities but reduced his activities in later years. He died in Washington, D.C., in 1985, after having battled age-related dementia and stomach cancer.
References
- ^ ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
- ^ "Belford Lawson, Retired Lawyer, Is Dead at 83". The Washington Post. February 24, 1985. pp. B8. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
- ^ "1921 Michigan football team roster". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ "1922 Michigan football team roster". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012.
- ^ "1923 Michigan football team roster". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. Archived from the original on August 19, 2010.
- ^ James Tobin (October 2009). "The Belford Lawson Mystery". Ann Arbor Chronicle.
- ISBN 1-885066-63-5.
- ^ "New Negro Alliance's Sanitary Grocery Protest Site". Cultural Tourism DC. Archived from the original on December 5, 2007. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
- ^ "NEW NEGRO ALLIANCE v. SANITARY GROCERY CO". findlaw.com. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
- ^ "New Negro Alliance's Sanitary Grocery Protest Site". Cultural Tourism DC. Archived from the original on December 5, 2007. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
- ISBN 978-0-8131-2491-9.
- ^ "Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest" (PDF). Awards and Achievements Criteria Handbook. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity: 19–23. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 28, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2008.