During the first week in September 1983, Norman Bryant told us he was going over to the home of Max Brandon to share an idea he had about starting a Hall of Fame for black athletes from the Flint area. Max and Norman became so engrossed in the idea that they talked at least four hours about the subject. After that meeting, Norman decided to call a meeting to organize the Hall of Fame Committee. The first official meeting of the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame (GFAAHF) was held at Berston Field House in October of 1983. Present at that first meeting were: Bill Hamilton, Max Brandon, Jim Luckado, Dr. Douglas Wright, Norman Bryant, Gerald Moore and W.B. Moore. At the next meeting, more people were invited. The new people present were Mancine Broome, Robin Fields, Erma Martin, JoAnn Reed, Joe Byrd, Owen Jackson, Jimmy Jones, and Norman Graham. Because Norman Bryant was the founder of the organization, Gerald Moore suggested that Norman be appointed chairperson until an election of officers could be held. It was also suggested that'contact be made with the Detroit Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame to see if they would assist in this endeavor. Willie Fields, Eurol Woods and Norman Bryant went to Detroit and met with Art Finney and Elmer Anderson, cofounders of the Detroit Club. The first club officers were as follows: President, Norman Bryant; Vice President, Max Brandon; Secretary; JoAnn Reed, Financial Matters, Ema Martin; Treasurer, Gerald Moore; Historian, W.B. Moore; Parliamentarian, Norman Graham. Dr. Douglas Wright gave the club its first cash donation which enabled the club to operate and plan other fund raisers. The club decided to sell jackets, Tshirts, sweatshirts, caps, patches and pennants to help the club financially. The first induction was held at Bosley's Restaurant on Sunday, February 24, 1985, with Dave Bing as guest speaker. The inductees were: James R. Johnson, Huston "Mickey" McKell, Percy McClellum, James McCrary and Al Washington. Since the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame was founded an outstanding community service award has been added to our induction ceremony. It is given to one or two community persons who have contributed to the advancement of sports and a certificate and monetary giftis given to a male and female senior high school student. Students are chosen not only for an outstanding sports background but also for a good academic background. We also added an Honorable Mention List for athletes who were good in the sport(s) in which they participated but did not meet the criteria to be inducted into the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame. Our goal is to preserve and exhibit the history of former Flint Afro-American professional, semiprofessional, college, city high school and sandlot players, and teams from as early as possible to an undetermined date. Our Motto: To Preserve, Not Compete |
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Flint Public Library, 1026 E. Kearsley
St., Flint, Michigan 48502
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