Hampton Negro Conference facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hampton Negro Conference |
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1912 advertisement for the Conference in the Negro Year Book and Annual Encyclopedia of the Negro
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| Status | defunct |
| Genre | conference |
| Begins | 1897 |
| Ends | 1912 |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Venue | Hampton Institute |
| Location(s) | Hampton, Virginia, United States |
The Hampton Negro Conference was a special series of meetings. They happened every year from 1897 to 1912. These meetings were held at the Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia. Today, this school is called Hampton University.
The conference brought together important Black leaders. They came from all over the Southern United States. Some white people also joined these meetings. The main goal was to show and discuss the progress Black Americans were making. The school's catalog said the conferences helped get "a general summary of the material and intellectual progress of the Negro race." This means they looked at how Black people were doing in their lives and with their ideas.
About the Hampton Negro Conference
The first Hampton Negro Conference took place on July 21 and 22, 1897. Before this, there were often less formal meetings. These earlier gatherings were also sometimes called the Hampton Negro Conference. For example, Booker T. Washington mentioned them in his writings.
What Was Discussed?
The conferences talked about many different topics. These included important issues like health and farming. They also discussed topics related to women's lives. Other subjects were crime and education. The meetings covered a wide range of things important to the Black community.
Who Attended?
The conferences were very popular. In 1907, a report from the John F. Slater Fund mentioned the attendance. This fund helped support education for formerly enslaved people. The report stated that 400 to 500 people attended the conference. These attendees included teachers and successful business people. Many farmers and other important professionals also came.
Why Was It Important?
The Hampton Negro Conference was a significant event. John Manuel Gandy, a well-known educator, wrote about it in 1917. He described the conference as a "clearing house of ideas of Negro activities." This means it was a central place where new ideas were shared. It was a hub for discussing important actions and plans for Black communities at that time.
