Stylistics Turn The LeMoyne-Owen College Gala Into a Time-Travel Affair

While only two of the Stylistics’ original members remain, the group’s crowd-pleasing sound still was strong during a performance at Minglewood Hall last Saturday. (Photos by Earl Stanback) by Dr. Jesse F. McClure Special to the Tri-State Defender At Minglewood Hall in Midtown last Saturday night, the calendar seemed to have turned back to the early 1970’s. And the timekeepers were the Stylistics. The Philadelphia “doo wop” group brought many in the audience of more than 500 to the dance floor, with many others singing along as the group moved smoothly through an array of memorable songs during the 39th Annual Gala of The LeMoyne-Owen College. LOC President Johnnie B. Watson and his wife seemed right in their element as they danced to the sounds of one of Philadelphia’s famous soul groups. The Stylistics are celebrating their forty-first year as a group. While only two of the group’s original members remain, the sound seems unchanged. The Stylistics are known for tunes such as ”Betcha By Golly Wow,” “Stop Look Listen to Your Heart,” “Break Up to Make Up,” and their most popular recording, “You Make Me Feel Brand New.” ”The Stylistics have always been and will always be all about love songs,” Herbert Murrell, one of the original group members, told the audience. The Gala is part The LeMoyne-Owen College’s fund-raising effort on behalf of the United Negro College Fund. In addition to the evening’s entertainment, the program included two presentations of the college’s Beacon of Hope Award. The first went to Tennessee Rep. Lois Deberry, who is the Speaker Pro Tem of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Deberry, who is a LOC graduate, was recognized for tireless advocacy on behalf of African-American citizens in the state of Tennessee. The Tri-State Bank of Memphis was the other Beacon of Hope Award recipient. Two historic leaders of Memphis’ African-American community – Dr. J.E. Walker and his son, A. Maceo Walker – founded the bank in 1946. Tri-State Bank was honored for its pioneering efforts to provide home financing to African-American prospective homeowners. During the civil rights protests of the 1950’s and 1960’s, the bank provided bail money to activists who were arrested. In addition the bank was cited for its financing of African American churches and its commitment to help African-American farmers, historically black colleges and other community organizations.

Pioneering African American Policeman: A Beacon of Hope

Published  08/27/2009

by Dr. Jesse F. McClure Special to the Tri-State DefenderSeated at a table near the front at the 39th annual The LeMoyne-Owen College Gala Saturday night, retired Memphis Police captain Elmo Samuel Berkley suffered a massive heart attack just about the time guests were told that the buffet lines were open. Despite the valiant efforts of paramedics, the 83-year-old Berkley passed away. Retired Capt. Elmo Samuel Berkley was a Memphis Police Department pioneer. (Courtesy photo) With his death, a man who was a major part of Memphis history and the history of African Americans in the South moved on. Capt. Berkley, a veteran of the United States Navy, was a member of the second group of African Americans hired by the Memphis Police Department. The first African officers were hired in 1948. Starting with his appointment in 1951 and serving more than 41 years as a policeman, Berkley saw dramatic change in his city and in the MPD. In the early days of his service as a policeman, African-American officers were not allowed to arrest white people. All they could do was try to surround white suspects until a white policeman arrived to make the arrest. They called this stall technique, “the magic circle.” By the time he retired, Berkley had risen to the rank of captain and the city he had served was about to come under the direction of the first African American elected to serve as mayor. African Americans were able to serve at the highest levels of the MPD, including as director. Berkley will be buried with full honors from the Memphis Police Department. Roger Brown, director of special events at The LeMoyne Owen College, worked closely with the retired police captain for many years.  He called Berkley “Mr. LeMoyne-Owen” for the many years and many hours Berkley had given to raise funds for the historical college. “Despite his advanced age and illness, Captain Berkley had attended every weekly planning meeting for this year’s 39th Annual (The) LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC) Gala for the past three months,” said Brown. That was to be expected since Berkley had supported every one of the previous 38 Gala fund-raisers. In addition, Brown said, “Captain Berkley supported the Baptist International Tea for 50 years,” which is another LOC fund-raising effort. Berkley himself had attended Henderson Business College. Berkley was also devoted to his church, the Greater White Stone Baptist Church. There he served as a deacon (emeritus) and as the church clerk (emeritus). He was seated at the Gala table sponsored by the church on Saturday. It is said that Berkley always got his church to buy its table early,  so that he could sit close to the stage. LOC President Johnnie B. Watson told a television interviewer that as a youngster growing up in Memphis, Berkley’s service with the police force showed him and his friends that more doors were opening up for African Americans in the city. For Watson and many other African Americans in Memphis, Captain Berkley was a “Beacon of Hope” – the name of the award the college bestows at the Gala each year. Capt. Berkley leaves his wife, Dorothy Biggs Berkley, and two sons, Steven W. Berkley and Lyndon Berkley.