The 1967 International Convention was held in New 
Orleans, Louisiana in attendance was five (5) black 
Delegates that we have identified Hubert Holly and Olin 
Houston from Local 26, Ernest Hill and James Pate from 
Local 241 and Bruce P. Foster from Local 268. 
The 1971 Convention was held in Las Vegas, Nevada my 
First
We have been able to identify twenty-two (22) black 
Delegates in attendance. 
Local 26: Hubert Holly and Leo Mays 
Local 241: Harry O. Blake, Theodore "Ted" Burnett, Ernest A. Hill, Leonard W. Morris, James A Pate, Homer Reed, Earl H. Washington,  John M. Witherspoon and Charles Wesley 
Local 268: Bruce P. Foster, Lucas Murphy 
Local 308: Tommie L. Baskin, Leonard Beatty, Thornton Cherry, Richard Hammonds, Clarence M. Hearns and Wilford C. Spears 
Local 689: Walter R. Tucker 
Local 1300: Samuel Tucker 
Local 1528: Clifton McCleary 
There was two resolutions submitted Resolution No. 6 by 
Divisions 241 and Resolution 
No 7 submitted jointly by Divisions 26 Detroit, Michigan 
And 1528 Washington, D.C. recommending creation of a 
10th Vice-Presidency within the structure of the 
International Union to be known as the Human Affairs 
Department. 
The subject matter contained in Resolutions No 6 and 7 
Were considered concurrently by the committee. Those 
Appearing in support of the creation of such an office 
Were Hubert Holly of Div. 26, Clifton McCleary of 
Div. 1528, and Wilford Spears Of Div. 308. The Committee 
Acted on this matter by the adoption of a substitute 
Recommendation which recommends that there be 
established the position of 10th Vice-President and that 
the necessary changes be made in our Laws to establish 
said office. The committee recommended concurrence. 
The substitute recommendation was adopted. 
It was at this convention that some of the black delegates 
made a concerted effort to elevate a black to the 
International Staff that effort consisted of a spoke person 
To meet with John Elliott he promptly rebuffed us by 
Reminding us that he would defeat us on the floor, Elliot 
Finally agreed to support us, then we had a disagreement 
On which candidate to support, we finally settled on a 
candidate, Bruce P. Foster. 
It was at this convention that the first black, Bruce P. Foster 
was elected to the position of International Vice President. 
The 1975 Convention was held in Calgary, 
Canada the second black, Oliver Green was elected 
a International IVP, also at this convention a black, 
Leonard Beatty was elected to one of the newly created 
Position of General Executive Board Member At Large. 
After the 1979 convention blacks continued to move up, 
In 1980 I was appointed to the International Staff as A 
Special Organizer, in 1982 Brother Owens was appointed 
Special Organizer, in late 1994 or early 1985 Brother 
Breckenridge (deceased) was appointed International 
Representative, later in 1985 Breckenridge was appointed 
IVP, at the 1986 convention Breckenridge, Spears, Owens 
and Richmond were elected as IVP's. 
In 1987 the first female, Karen Moore, who happened to be 
Black was appointed special organizer, later elected IVP. 
In addition to above names black officers was Johnny C. Reynolds, Local 732 Atlanta, GA
(deceased) and Bowen from Local 26 from Detroit, MI elected IVPs at the 1995 Convention.