The Van Courtlandt Social Club, founded on the east-side is one of the oldest black male social clubs in the nation.
SAN ANTONIO — The Van Courtlandt Social Club, one of the oldest black male social clubs in the nation is celebrating its 110th anniversary being founded here in San Antonio.
The organization was created in 1915 Eastside San Antonio, a hub for Black Excellence in a world separated by color.
“There weren’t too many opportunities for men of color at the time to get together publicly in public,” said Keith Brown, Van Courtlandt Foundation Chairman.
The church served as a safe haven for Blacks to gather, Chuck Andrews, the oldest living member of the Van Courtlandt Social Club says the founders wanted something more.
“These fellas, wanted to have an activity where they could have a good time, and so they made one rule that the first activity was a picnic, and they said no children,” said Andrews.
Stickin’ to grown folks business the Eastside Jolly Boys were created.
The 15 founders would gather each Sunday to eat, drink, play games, and give back to the Black community.
“I don’t know if people are really aware of what the value of the Van Courtlandts really were in terms of getting change in San Antonio,” said Andrews.
Some of their efforts included getting paved streets and side walks for Black San Antonio neighborhoods.
The Van Courtlandts also did voting campaigns and rallies for black education.
To be a Van Courtlandt, it didn’t matter what you were to. It mattered who you were.
“The applicant [must] be a good man, as determined by the other good men who associated with the club,” said Andrews.
The club changed its name to the Eastside Social Club then the Van Courtland Social Club in 1920.
“In New York City there was a park called the Van Cortland Park, and it’s spelled a little different,” said Brown. “There’s has no ‘u’ in court. We spell it just like ‘court'”
The men partnered with a womens group, the PALS of San Antonio to support black women in debutante balls.
“People get to, to see them, they also get to know about them, know about their endeavors, their academic achievement,” said Douglas Ray, president of the Van Courtland Social Club.
Its a tradition the men continue with their wives sponsoring debutantes and providing scholarships through the Van Courtland Auxilary.
“They’re teaching the waltz. They teach them the proper etiquette for dining. How to do a promenade,” said Brown.
The Van Courtlandts also mentor youth with other groups like 100 Black Men of San Antonio and Black Fraternities.
“It’s very important, that we stand in the gap and are able to to show the younger generation what they can do and what they should be doing,” said Ray.
They’ve been wearing the green and old gold for 110 years.
“I think the future for, our organization is driven by, our view on sustainability, because that’s what it’s going to take to get into the next millennium,” said Joseph Sims, Van Courtlandt Member.
They want to make sure it continues recruiting young members creating a pipeline to continue the legacy.
“We want to put a footprint and make sure we are doing some economically for the community, putting up something where the community can invest and be a part of and a win win for everybody,” said Ray.
Because at the end of the day a brothers bond will never break.