Facing Changing Times and Our History

Out of the strife of the 60’s and 70’s a severe leadership vacuum developed in southeast Queens. Into that vacuum stepped the founders of one of the most progressive, dynamic men’s organization in America. In early 1974 The United Black Men of Queens County, Inc. was founded.

The United Black men of Queens County, Inc. attracted men from all walks of life. The new organization was comprised of laborers, contractors, business men, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and others from all walks of life. They were committed to serving the community. There was a compelling need for black men to address the results of racism, discrimination, prejudice, and little or no political power In addition our youth were caught up in an educational system that failed them at every turn. Then. the police declared war on our youth. They were jailed for little or no reason and received stiff jail sentences that in no way fit the crime they were accused of. These facts compelled The United Black Men of Queens County, Inc. to form a Mentoring Program to help young black males in crisis, avoid the terrorist tactics of the police and grow into manhood without the baggage of violence, drug addiction, abusive behavior and failure in schools that failed them every day. In order to understand the history of this great organization we need to look back at America of the 60’s and 70’s.

The vision and promise of a non-violent, civil rights movement towards freedom and justice is well documented in American history. For people of African descent and those of all shades and colors, the promise quickly deteriorated into the turbulence and chaos of the 60’s and 70’s. Cities burned, assassination became a big part of American life and our government became corrupted by greed and political ambition. A vindictive police force laid siege to our inner cities. Narcotics began to flow into our communities. The backbone of the family, women, became addicted and the breakdown of the black family began in earnest. The educational system began to fail, the police targeted our youth and many were jailed and even worse shot and killed.

From this chaos and turbulence those blacks who could, began to flee the strife of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and indeed similar cities across the nation. They came to southeast Queens. They came to Queens because homes were affordable, schools were better and youth would have a better chance at the dream, the American dream. Many musicians and entertainers loved Queens, they purchased homes in Saint Albans, Corona, Adsleigh Park and Hollis. Lena Horne, Lester Young, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Arthur Prysock, James Brown and others lived in Queens. Queens was a Mecca for black people everywhere.