SPAN - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. SPAN stands for the Society for the Preservation of American Negroes, an organization founded in 1917 by Dr. George Edmund Haynes to address social and economic issues facing African Americans.
- 2. The primary goal of SPAN was to promote racial equality and improve the social and economic conditions of African Americans through education, advocacy, and community organizing.
- 3. SPAN played a significant role in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement in the 1920s that celebrated African American art, music, and literature.
- 4. The organization published a quarterly journal called The SPAN, which featured articles on civil rights, education, and social justice issues affecting the African American community.
- 5. SPAN also organized conferences, workshops, and public lectures to raise awareness about racial discrimination and promote unity among African Americans.
- 6. The organization faced challenges from white supremacist groups and government agencies that sought to undermine its efforts to empower African Americans and promote racial equality.
- 7. Despite these challenges, SPAN continued to be a leading voice in the fight for civil rights and social justice, partnering with other civil rights organizations such as the NAACP and the National Urban League.
- 8. SPAN was instrumental in advocating for the passage of civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- 9. The organization expanded its focus to address other social issues affecting African Americans, including poverty, housing discrimination, and access to healthcare.
- 10. SPAN's legacy lives on in the work of modern civil rights organizations that continue to fight for racial equality and social justice in America.