Sons of Haiti
The Sons of Haiti is an African-American Masonic Grand Lodge and fraternal organization. Its headquarters are in Renton, Washington.[1]
The Sons of Haiti also claim jurisdiction over the King James Grand Lodge of Oregon AF&AM.[2]
The organization has Grand Lodge subgroups in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Washington.[3]: 11–34
The organization has held annual Supreme Council planning and session events from 1983 to 2006 in locations ranging from Oakland, California to Nassau in the Bahamas.[3]: 11–34 [4][5]
A Seattle Post-Intelligencer article in 2007 gave the following account based on statements form Charles Adams, building manager of the Washington Hall and a member of the Sons of Haiti group:
The Sons of Haiti formed in the 1950s. Most fraternal organizations wouldn't admit African Americans, Adams said, so the group -- which did charitable deeds such as feeding and housing the poor -- joined an organization based in Haiti, he said.[6]
African-Americans have historically been discriminated against by Masonic organizations in the United States, to varying extents from the founding of the U.S. Masonic organizations in 1777, and to the date of the founding of this organization, and to some extent in recent years as well.[3]
The organization was formally founded in 1962 in Washington State. The preceding period and/or early history of the organization was involved with lawsuits against other Masonic organizations in Washington. Following its founding, the organization has been recognized by the Grand Lodges of Haiti, The Grande Loge de France, and a Mexican Grand Lodge.[3] Perhaps not inconsistently with that self-presentation, the "Bogus Masonry" project of Prince Hall Freemasonry's Phylaxis Society describes the Sons of Haiti as "bogus" for not having descended from African Lodge Number 459 or the United Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, or Scotland.[7]
The Supreme Council of the Sons of Haiti Lodge is located in Renton, Washington. The City of Renton City Council "recognized August 11, 2010 as Sons of Haiti Supreme Council Day".[8]
Before moving to Renton, the Supreme Council operated out of Washington Hall (Seattle, Washington), which they purchased in 1973. They rented the auditorium to various community groups, which used the rented space for concerts and other public gatherings.[1] The building was sold in 2009 to Historic Seattle for $1.5 million.[9]
The Sons of Haiti acted as a volunteer group at the city of Portland, Oregon's 24th annual "Keep Alive The Dream" tribute to Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. in 2009.[5]
Charitable entities associated with Sons of Haiti include:
- Sons of Haiti Manor Housing Association, 153 14th Ave, Seattle, Washington, founded in 1995, a registered nonprofit[10]
- Sons of Haiti Senior Housing Association, same address and founding date, also a registered nonprofit[11]
References
- ^ a b Nancy Bartley (2008). "Washington Hall, where Fats Domino and other black performers played, is for sale". Seattle Times.
- ^ Paul M. Bessel. "Masonic information: All Masonic Grand Lodges in the United States". Bessel.
- ^ a b c d George Waters (July 20, 2007). "Supreme Conseil of Haiti of the United States: About Us / The Most Worshipful Sons of Haiti". Sons of Haiti. (35 page pamphlet accessible 10/2010 via button "The Most Worshipful Sons of Haiti", author and date at end)
- ^ "Supreme Conseil of Haiti of the United States". Sons of Haiti.
- ^ a b "24th Annual "Keep Alive the Dream" tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr" (PDF). World Arts Foundation, Inc.
- ^ Kery Murakami (June 2007). "Historic Central Area hall looks as if it's on its last legs". SeattlePI.Com.
- ^ http://www.thephylaxis.org/bogus/bogus_wa.php
- ^ "City of Renton 2010 City Council Meeting Highlights, September". City of Renton, Washington.
- ^ "Historic Seattle projects: Washington Hall". Historic Seattle.
- ^ Sons of Haiti Manor Housing Association, at GuideStar
- ^ Sons of Haiti Senior Housing Association, at Guidestar
