Mosaic Templars of America facts for kids
The Mosaic Templars of America (MTA) was a special group created to help African Americans. It was founded in 1883 in Little Rock, Arkansas, by two former slaves, John E. Bush and Chester W. Keatts. This organization offered important services like illness, death, and burial insurance. These services were very hard for Black people to get during that time.
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What Was the Mosaic Templars of America?
The Mosaic Templars of America was a "fraternal order." This means it was a brotherhood (or sisterhood) group that helped its members. Its main goal was to "unite all people of African descent" who were good citizens. It aimed to give them "all possible moral and material aid." This group did not get involved in its members' political or religious beliefs.
How the Idea Began
The story of how the MTA started is quite interesting. John E. Bush was in Little Rock when an older Black woman asked for help. She needed money to pay for her husband's funeral. This made Bush realize how much support was needed in the Black community. He talked to his friend, Chester W. Keatts, and together they decided to form the Mosaic Templars of America.
What Does the Name Mean?
The name "Mosaic Templars" has a special meaning. It connects the group's mission to the story of Moses. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt to a promised land. In the same way, the MTA aimed to help African Americans escape the harsh conditions of the Jim Crow era. These laws created unfair rules and separation for Black people in the Southern United States.
Growing and Helping Communities
The MTA grew very quickly. By 1900, it had expanded far beyond just offering insurance. It started many other businesses and services, including:
- An insurance company
- A building and loan association (which helped people get loans for homes)
- A publishing company
- A business college
- A nursing school
- A hospital
By the end of 1922, the MTA had grown to include 87,069 members. This shows how important and helpful the organization was to so many people.
A Big Headquarters Building
By 1905, the MTA had groups, called "lodges," all over Arkansas. Its main office was in a beautiful new building in Little Rock. This building opened in 1913. A famous leader, Booker T. Washington, even gave a speech at its opening. In the 1920s, the MTA had chapters in 26 states and six other countries. This made it one of the largest Black organizations in the world.
The End of an Era
In the 1930s, the Great Depression hit the United States very hard. This was a time when many people lost their jobs and money. The Mosaic Templars of America also felt the effects of this tough economic period. Eventually, the organization had to stop its main operations.
However, the legacy of the MTA lives on. One chapter of the organization still exists today in Barbados. The original headquarters building in Little Rock is now home to the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. This center helps to preserve and share the history of this important organization and African American culture.
