Text by Mrs. Susie Marshall.

I. Oxford Consistory

Nolia Banks had a vision 21 years ago to put in motion having a banquet to raise funds to remember the shut-ins at Christmastime with baskets of food, fruits, and etc. This remains intact. Mr. Banks' motto was, 'where there is no vision people will perish' (Proverbs 29:18). 'Each year we have tried to keep this dream alive,' stated Reverend Arthur Gerod, C.C.
The Oxford Consistory came into being on November 7, 1945

II. The Young Men's Progressive Club

Young men between the ages of 20 and 35 founded the club in 1976 to promote change in Oxford. The group sought to promote social, economical, and philosophical development in the community; to improve community relations; and to conduct social action programs. Founders included Eugene McGee, Earl W. Richard, Thomas Thompson, Jimmy McGlowan, Lee Robinson, Willie Chatman, Jr., Sam Jones, Bill Taylor, John Jones, and Bill Mullens.

III. Oxford-Lafayette Branch of the NAACP

The Oxford-Lafayette County branch of the NAACP was founded in 1952 at Second Baptist Church by Nathan Hodges, Jr. and others originally under the title of the Lafayette County Improvement Club. The first elected president was Mrs. Mabel McCune. In 1980, they established the W. R. Redmond Memorial Scholarship Fund for the purpose of educating an African-American doctor to serve the area. The Scholarship Fund later became sponsored by the Oxford Development Association.

IV. Committee of Minority Associations and Clubs (COMAC)

• Leonard R. Thompson. 1963-1964. Photographer Unknown.

COMAC was founded in 1986 by local clubs and associations. Its purpose includes promoting community wide efforts on common problems; solidarity in organizational goals and objectives; a community base to serve as liaison between organizations, governmental officials and agencies; and to serve as a resource agency and represent the concerns of the black community. It has financially supported local black political candidates for offices. The Committee under the Chairmanship of Leonard E. Thompson was responsible for submitting petitions to the City of Oxford to rename North Seventh and Sixth Streets to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Martin Luther King, Jr. Circle in 1987. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the request.

V. Oxford Community Chorus

• Oxford Community Chorus, 1947

The Oxford Community Chorus was organized in 1947. The Director of the Chorus was Della R. Davidson.

VI. North Mississippi Rural Legal Services

The North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, originally called Lafayette County Legal Services, was founded in 1966 to offer competent legal services to the poor and as a training program for University of Mississippi law students. It was funded through the Office of Economic Opportunity, Law School Dean Joshua Morse, Assistant Dean Parham Williams, local African-Americans Linder Burt, Annie Lee Burt, and Mary Gordon were instrumental in its establishment. In 1976, NMRLS became incorporated as an independent non-profit agency under the National Legal Services Corporation and in 1978 NMRLS cut its ties with the Ole Miss Law School. Today the agency covers thirty-nine counties in Mississippi.

NMRLS has worked on a wide variety of problems of the poor, including health, housing, elections, utilities, and education.

VII. Oxford Development Association

The Oxford Development Association was founded in 1970-71 through Wayne Johnson, a young African-American Oxonian who had attended ministerial school in Atlanta and then returned to improve the community. Under Johnson's leadership, a preschool, library, Oxford Improvement Assocation, Ebenezar Crusaders (a youth group), and cooperative store were founded. Soul Force magazine, which includes local news, events, and stories, became the monthly newsletter of the Association. The goal of the Oxford Development Association is education and improvement of the community. The Association participates in the Christmas Parade, sponsors a father-son banquet, and a Little Miss and Little Mister ODA contest. The Association sponsors the W.N. Scholarships to local African-American students in medical school who will return to serve the community as a doctor. ODA membership includes families and especially the young.

VIII. Masonic Lodge

• Cover for the September 29, 1978 program for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Masonic Lodge.

• Anniversary program featuring Nolia Banks, Worshipful Master, 1943-1978 and Guest Speaker, Judge William E. Peterson, Judge of Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois.

The Masonic Lodge in Oxford is the Stringer Grand Oxford Lodge #16. It consists of over 60 members who have been active in providing scholarships and various other service projects. It includes the organizations of the Eastern Star, Heroines of Jerico, and the Household of Ruth. The lodge in the past has included a death and life benefit plan in which members were charged a penny a day and received $250 for funeral costs.

IX. TRI-HI-Y and HI-Y

The Tri-Hi-Y and Hi-Y were youth organizations at Oxford Training School founded in the 1950s-60s and affiliated with the YMCA. The Hi-Y was for boys and the Tri-Hi-Y was for girls. The purpose stated, 'To create, maintain, and extend throughout home, school, and community, high standards of Christian character.' Members of both groups were active in oratorical contests, talent shows, the Christmas parade, typing classes, and a wide variety of other activities.

X. Senior Sewing and Saving Club

• Children's Picnic sponsored by the Senior Sewing and Saving Club

The Senior Sewing and Saving Club was founded in October 1936 by Mrs. Mabel O. McEwen with twelve charter members who soon grew to 25 members. The original purpose of the Club was to sew and save as well as to encourage community beautification and development.
Over the years the Club has been active in many ways including beautification of the cemetery, helping invalids, purchasing clothes, paying hospital and school bills, gathering donations for the Library and United Fund, and giving comfort to the elderly and ill...The Club is a co-sponor of this project to gather African-American history in Oxford and Lafayette County.

XI. Boy Scouts, Troup 55

• Cover of Soul Force. February 4, 1972. Volume 2, No. 77. Featuring Boy Scout Troup 55 and their leader, Mr. James O. Buford.

In 1941, under the leadership of Reverend Blackwell at Burns United Methodist Church and Scout Master James O. Buford, Boy Scout Troup 55 was organized. Under Buford's leadership, the following boys reached the rank of Eagle Scout: Ruben Mitchell, Willis Howard Rogers and Terry Wortham. Buford reached the highest award given in Scouting, “The Silver Beaner” award. He worked as a Radio repairman for the community. Troup 55 continues today.