Remnants, Remembrances, and Legacies of Black History

[bigtree]

23. hi, Amy

...I don't know who represented Ms. Malone, but the thriving black community that sprang up surrounding her SL headquarters, 'The Ville,' was a self-sustaining community of entrepreneurs and professionals.

from 'The African-American heritage of St. Louis: A Guide'

The Ville was home to such important African American institutions as Sumner High School, Simmons School, Turner School, and Stowe Teachers College, Poro College, and the Annie Malone Children's Home and Homer G. Phillips Hospital. An almost self-contained enclave of middle-class blacks, the Ville contained the homes of community worker, educators, doctors, lawyers, and businessmen. It developed neighborhood traditions, festivals and entertainments. The Annie Malone May Day Parade continues to exemplify the community spirit of the neighborhood. The area produced many prominent social activists, writers, educators, entertainers, and politicians.

Perhaps if you looked into the National Association of Colored Women and its President, Mary McLeod Bethune, who provided the most prominent defense of Ms. Malone (and helped negotiate the settlement) as her husband enlisted politicians and black leaders in his bid for her wealth.