BCALA History
As far back as the 1930s, a small number of Black librarians would gather in hotel rooms at ALA Conferences about the injustice they experienced at work and the lack of leadership opportunities for them. Under the suggestion of Effie Lee Morris, Black librarians met at the 1968 Annual conference to discuss their concerns about not having a voice in the ALA. At a meeting in 1969 it was decided by several Black librarians that ALA was not serving the needs of Black Library professionals and the Black Caucus was formed to address concerns. The following year, E.J. Josey – a member of the ALA Nominating Committee wanted to find qualified Black candidates and socially responsible white candidates to run for Council in the 1971 election. Josey sent out letters inviting all African American librarians to attend the 1970 Mid-Winter meeting to discuss a candidate they would support. In 1970 BCALA was founded at ALA Mid-Winter by Effie Lee Morris, Dr. E.J. Josey, Thomas E. Alford Sr. and a few others. Dr. Josey was elected first chairperson of BCALA.
The first two goals of the organization were to present a formal Statement of Concern to ALA and to submit a resolution to the ALA Council that would censure libraries and librarians providing materials and services to private segregated schools that were formed in order to avoid integration.
In 1992 the Black Caucus became formally affiliated with ALA and a scholarship fund named after E.J. Josey was created to provide African Americans with financial assistance to pursuit a graduate level library and information studies degree. This year also marked the first National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL). In 1995 the group celebrated its 25th anniversary and revised its mission statement to read as it currently does today. The 40th anniversary was celebrated in 2010 and we acknowledged the 50th anniversary in 2020.
Past Presidents
E.J. Josey 1970–1971+
William D. Cunningham 1971–1973 +
James R. Wright 1973–1974
Harry Robinson, Jr. 1974–1976
Avery Williams 1976–1978
Dr. George C. Grant 1978–1980
Doreitha R. Madden 1980–1982 +
Robert L. Wright 1982–1984
Barbara Williams Jenkins 1984–1986
Marva L. DeLoach 1986–1988
Edith M. Fisher 1988–1990
John C. Tyson 1990–1992 +
D. Alex Boyd 1992–1994 +
Stanton F. Biddle 1994–1996
Sylvia Sprinkle–Hamlin 1996–1998 +
Gregory Rees 1998–2000
Gladys Smiley Bell 2000–2002
Bobby Player 2002–2004
Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako) 2004–2006
Wanda Brown 2006–2008
Karolyn S. Thompson 2008–2010
Jos N. Holman 2010–2012
Jerome Offord, Jr 2012–2014
Kelvin A. Watson 2014–2016
Denyvetta Davis 2016-2018
Richard E. Ashby, Jr. 2018 – 2020
Shauntee Burns-Simpson, 2020 – 2022
(+ Deceased)